A brand new 2008 C-Class Mercedes-Benz which was unveiled last month in Stuttgart, Germany is due to arrive in showrooms in September. The new C-Class is loaded with features that customers would like. The question now is what happens to the old C-Class? Mercedes models do not grow old but instead transcends time just and the new 2008 C-Class simply demonstrates the evolution that the C-Class has undergone over time.

It is natural that buyers would prefer the new model over the old fortunately Mercedes Canada has devise a marketing strategy that would not cause to much consternation among the brand faithful. What Mercedes Canada did was to make the C-Class such a terrific value that people would surely go craving for the said model regardless of whether it’s the new C-Class or a much older model.

A sample of such marketing strategy was employed for the C280 Avantgarde Edition which the sales brochure described having “spectacular performance, unprecedented value, and of course, the superb level of luxury you expect from Mercedes-Benz.”

And just what makes the C280 Avantgarde such a great buy? It is equipped with $6,000 worth of features added by Mercedes-Benz and amazingly at no additional cost. Such features include: sliding glass sunroof, power steering column and 10 way power adjustable driver’s seat with three position memory, Harman/kardon Logic7 surround-sound system, MP3 compatible six-disc CD changer, 17 inch seven spoke aluminum alloy wheels and metallic paint. The C280 is also equipped with quality Mercedes auto components such as a Mercedes muffler that reduces the noise produced by the explosive combustion of fuel.

The truth of the matter is that the C-Class is one of the rare cars that wear its age very well. Its subtle wedge shape and fluid lines which were updated two years ago were able to keep up their fresh and classy feel which makes most of its rivals to look nouveau riche.

The new C280 reflects the maturity in Mercedes’ approach to the luxury, sporty sedan segment. This special compact four-door has a natural conservative streak that most of it rivals like the notable BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 don’t possess. Sadly despite the 228 horsepower, 3.0 liter DOHC V6 under its hood, performance doesn’t come naturally. And because of this, Mercedes Benz has decided to equip the C280 with a seven-speed transmission in automatic which enables the car to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.3 seconds.

Unfortunately, the C280’s sporting mode is inhibited by the gear selector’s side-to-side actuation. Similarly the forward to upshift and backward to downshift is far more intuitive. A word of caution for those planning to purchase a C280 never try to chase Bimmers and Audis especially on twisty back roads since the suspension of the C280 is made more for comfort and not for sport.

But in fairness to the C280 it’s not that bad on winding roads it’s just that it tends to eat up a huge amount of road space on major highways at a speed of 120 kilometers per hour. The cabin is conservatively upscale with emphasis on passenger comfort. The seating position is remarkably comfortable and supportive in all the right places. Plus it’s quite spacious with plenty of legroom. It also has Harman/kardon surround sound system for the passengers listening pleasure.