The engine output and the power and torque figures of the C200K are on par with the C220 CDI. You could well be wondering how an 1800cc petrol engine can deliver this kind of power output. To set matters straight this is the same engine that powers the E200 K. The C200 K is slightly quicker than the E240 in acceleration even though it is 800cc and 2 cylinders short compared to the V6 mill of the larger and heavier E-class model. The car gets to the 100kmph mark in a blistering 11.43 seconds. And the 221kmph top speed, achieved in 5th gear, makes you perk right up and take notice.

What matters most in everyday driving is how the car performs in roll-ons and in-gear acceleration, especially when you have to put your foot down to overtake or just get away from traffic.
What impressed me most was the bottom end kick the engine delivered with the car instantaneously responding to just a dab on the accelerator at very low rpm, and this is all thanks to the electronic control and the top line variable valve top end along with the always on-demand supercharger. En route to Mahabaleshwar the car was an absolute dream to drive. Overtaking slow or even fast moving traffic was an absolute doodle. Climbing the ghats all you had to do was stick it in third gear and then you could just accelerate and lift off and you had your engine braking. The C class really deserved this supercharged engine as it delivers the performance required and also goes a long way to eradicating the shortcomings of its predecessor. With the C-class being MBIL's biggest seller, this sort of performance was sorely needed but now there should be no complaints of performance deficiency.