Audi A4, BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-class

The Audi A4, BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-class are the entry point for each brand and all three are diesel-powered. The battle between the three brands has been on for decades and now, they’ve got it down to India. While BMW and Mercedes will assemble the cars here, Audi will come here as a fully-assembled unit. We test the three to see which gets the upper hand.

Design and engineering


Being established international brands, these cars have a typical identity. The Audi has a heavier full-length Bulgarian beard while the BMW’s wide kidney-shaped grille gives it a sporty and light appearance, the Mercedes, unfortunately, looks a little outdated with its shrunken radiator-style grille.

The Audi looked most attractive to us. Its crisp styling and clean lines make it an attractive car to look at. The difference between the three continues under the hood as well. The Audi is a car that likes to be associated with practicality and in order to fit this profile, it is built on a platform whereby power is sent to the front wheels, but via a longitudinally-mounted engine. This is a departure from most front-wheel-drive cars, but is necessary to accommodate Audi’s Quattro or four-wheel-drive system on more powerful A4s.

The BMW prioritises great driving and uses aluminium suspension arms, a near 50:50 front rear weight distribution and an engine that is mounted so far back in the bonnet; this car could be designated as front/mid-engined. Merc’s C-class is a more traditional rear driver and uses an effective and refined front and rear independent suspension.

Interiors


The three contenders come with the compact luxury tag, which is best felt when one takes a look inside the cars. The BMW is the king of class and has a two-tone multi-textured feel. The dashboard, steering wheel and the rest of interiors feel good to be in and the materials used are of superior quality — the front seats being fully powered. The instrument cluster on the Audi is also neat and clear and has white-on-black dials to provide the driver with the necessary information. The front seats are ergonomically spot-on, and they feel a half-size larger than any of the A4’s rivals. However, the quality of the plastic and the rear seat comfort are not as good as the BMW. It does not feel as solidly built as the BMW. The Mercedes’ interiors look better since the upgrade in 2004 but this car too lacks the solid build feel. Front seat and driver comfort are decent, but the seats are only partially powered, almost a cheap trick at this price.

Engine and performance


The Mercedes C-class and BMW use common-rail motors while the Audi uses one-fuel injection pump per cylinder, pumpe duse, which means that punch and responsiveness in the mid-range makes it feel punchy indeed. However, owing to maximum power and torque and minimum body weight the BMW is the quickest car in the contest. The superb CDI motor still feels refined and smooth. The Mercedes only comes with a five-speed gearbox while the Audi has a metal-belted Multitronic (CVT-type) gearbox and the BMW’s six-speed is surprisingly the slowest to react.

Fuel economy

Fuel economy on the BMW is the best; in fact this car is the fastest, makes the most power and delivers decent mileage. While the Mercedes delivered 11.25kpl overall, the Audi gives 11.5 and the BMW delivers 12.15kpl.


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Technical data

BMW 320d

Engine layout: 4 cyls in-line, 1995cc

Max Power: 156bhp at 4000rpm

Max Torque: 33.6kgm at 2750rpm

Top Speed: 216kph

0-60: 4.12secs

0-100: 9.39secs

CFE: 12.15kpl

Fuel tank capacity: 61litres

Boot capacity: 460litres

Length: 4520mm

Width: 1817mm

Height: 1421mm

Wheelbase: 2760mm

Weight: 1445kg

Ground clearance: 144mm




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Audi A4 2.0 TDi


Engine layout: 4 cyls in-line, 1968cc

Max Power: 140bhp at 4000rpm

Max Torque: 32.63kgm at 1750-2000rpm

Top Speed: 206kph

0-60: 4.20secs

0-100: 10.33secs

CFE: 11.5kpl

Fuel tank capacity: 70litres

Boot capacity: 460litres

Length: 4586mm

Width: 1772mm

Height: 1427mm

Wheelbase: 2642mm

Weight: 1520kg

Ground clearance: 128mm


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Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI

Engine layout: 4 cyls in-line, 2148cc

Max Power: 143bhp at 4200rpm

Max Torque: 32.1kgm at 1800-2800rpm

Top Speed: 215kph

0-60: 4.41secs

0-100: 10.39secs

CFE: 11.25kpl

Fuel tank capacity: 70litres

Boot capacity: 430litres

Length: 4526mm

Width: 1728mm

Height: 1426mm

Wheelbase: 2715mm

Weight: 1520kg

Ground clearance: 130mm