Mercedes C230 Kompressor: Substance over style

By John Aglionby

IN the world of the Indonesian social climber looks are everything.

It is crucial to be seen to have the latest, snazziest and most expensive car, outfit, executive toy or whatever else is the rage.

Unfortunately for Mercedes their latest product, the C230 Kompressor that was launched earlier this month, is extremely deficient in the new, trendy looks department.

All that tells it apart from its siblings is the metal badge on the trunk saying Kompressor - not easily seen while wearing brand new, vision-impairing designer sunglasses.

But what it lacks in innovative superficial style it makes up for in undeniably appealing substance under the hood.

The inclusion of a compressor gives the four-cylinder engine 30 percent extra power, making it comparable with the C280.

The compressor is driven by an extension of the belt from the crankshaft pulley and compresses the air before it enters the cylinder in order to boost both the power and the torque.

Mercedes says the C230 Kompressor is all about "speed, acceleration and torque" and for once a company's PR is telling the truth.

The feeling is one of thrilling instant acceleration. You are pushed back in the seat, as the Star Wars heroes are when the Millennium Falcon jumps into hyperspace.

This is the case from both a standing start and while ambling along at less than 80 km/h.

At higher speeds, even though the revs are low, there is no similar increase in acceleration but there is also no lag or grumbling reluctance from the engine to reach faster speeds.

Indeed I was genuinely surprised to look down at the dashboard and see I was doing more than 175 km/h on one occasion.

It is very comfortable and easy to drive; tall people will not feel cramped at all, as is often the case with the BMW.

The instruments are easy to read although I did wonder at the need to include the outside air temperature (it is five degrees Celsius hotter in Jakarta than Bogor).

My only complaint is that the shape of the car, with a comparatively small windshield, makes you feel that you cannot see everything, especially peripherally, that you should be able to. Luckily this is not too much of a problem as most drivers obsequiously moved aside for me.

And with the inclusion of Mercedes new automatic five-speed gearbox the Kompressor is very much a driver's car. Sitting in the back seat looking pretty is a waste.

Get behind the wheel and you will have one of the most enjoyable driving experiences possible in Indonesia.