Test drive BMW 320D, Mercedes C 220 CDI, Volvo S60 D3: more and more golden environment

If the manufacturer wants to succeed in the elite segment of the middle class, he will have to overtake two competitors - the company's C-class. Mercedes and "troika" BMW. That's why Volvo's new S60 sedan challenges its fuel-efficient diesel versions.

As if the cries of iron (Swedish steel!) Wolves are already heard, mourning the old S60. It will probably be revered as the last real Volvo because, unlike its successor, it is not built on a Ford platform. They will blame the new model for its non-functional vanity design, they will make the drama of manually adjusting the height of the straps. Back in the 760 in 1982, the seat belt automatically took into account the physique of the driver and the passenger next to it. The need to do it yourself is sure to infuriate traditionalists as much as the fact that the fate of their favorite brand is already decided by Geely. In China. However, for the S60 it doesn't matter - it's like a bag of rice falling somewhere in a country with a billion dollars. Simply because the model was developed before the change of ownership.

Plus / minus

Even in its style, it differs from its conservative competitors, but the emphasized dynamic silhouette leads to a loss of appearance and interior space. Due to the low roofline, the rear seat is set so deep that adult passengers have to bend their legs at a fairly sharp angle. In short, far from the sedan's classic stepped outlines, there is room in the back for a modest 380 liters of luggage.

On the other hand, in its interior, the S60 conveys a typical Volvo feel - a unique sense of security and cosiness that brand advocates like to compare to the perception of a child, frightened by a night storm, who is huddled in bed with his parents. Indeed, the car caresses the souls of the pilot and co-pilot behind the thick A-pillars with wide, extremely comfortable leather seats, the addition of carefully crafted aluminum parts and elegant high-quality surfaces. Compared to it, the extremely solid C 220 CDI, although with Avantgarde equipment, looks duller furnished, but it also has a very good workmanship, the “troika” seems even more colorless to you.

Points system

The new S60 is the first Volvo model to feature a new function management and control system that is more logical and easier to operate than the previous one. This is not a compliment, because they could hardly make it harder than before. Compared to the notoriously accessible and understandable menu structures in the C-Class and Troika, the new layout in the S60 still feels confusing.

At the same time, the Swede loses points earned thanks to innovative safety technology. It is the only car that is equipped as standard with the City-Safety system, a system that brings the car to a complete stop in the event of an emergency and thus prevents an accident at speeds up to 35 km/h and makes the consequences more tolerable when driving faster. In addition, the safety package includes cruise control with driver warning and distance adjustment, blind spot monitors and lane keeping.

BMW only opposes distance-adjusted cruise control, and Mercedes (prior to a model update in early 2011) offers a small Pre-Safe package that's rather confusing for the self-proclaimed Stuttgart pioneer of car safety. However, it should be noted that the devices in the Volvo model do not always work reliably - during the test, the warning system gave several false alarms.

Comfort and dynamics

When it comes to driving comfort, Volvo is doing, if not phenomenal, at least impressively. Its chassis absorbs bumps even better than the Mercedes' suspension, and even without active dampers prevents swaying. Added to this are the best seats in the test, as well as the low noise level when the sound of the headwind prevails over the muffled hum of the diesel engine.

The two-liter unit itself - a short-stroke version of the 2,4-liter diesel - shows originality, distributing its working volume over five cylinders. This has advantages in terms of ride comfort - compared to five-cylinder acoustics, two German four-cylinder engines sound trite - but there are also small disadvantages, in terms of higher fuel consumption due to more internal friction.

Slightly weak when pulling away and phlegmatic when overtaking, the diesel is paired with a six-speed transmission that shifts a little but with some hesitation in lever movement. Its "long" sixth gear is the only indicator of fuel economy in this model. While the S60's mileage is decent, Mercedes and especially BMW are much more fuel efficient.

On the road

In tests for road safety, all three models are at the same high level. Volvo's only weaknesses are an almost absurdly large turning circle and longer braking distances on pavement with different traction under the left and right wheels (μ-split). For its part, the BMW impresses with some brake easing while making full use of its modest payload capacity. There are big differences in handling - the S60 was not as sporty as advertised.

For a front-wheel-drive car, the Volvo is quite nimble around corners, and driving forces have little to no effect on the less-than-extensive steering information on the road. In such cases, the triple shifts only the rear end to the sides - it remains the handling champion in the middle class with neutral cornering behavior, and the steering system, although a little heavy, works precisely and provides good feedback when contacting the road. . . And since stiff suspension travel is more of an obstacle in such conditions, BMW largely forgoes it and transmits tangible vertical shocks with larger bumps to the body.

Last but not least, this limitation is due to the reduced ride height, which is part of the austerity measures along with the centrifugal pendulum in the dual-mass flywheel. It provides stable intermediate acceleration from 1000 rpm and up. At the same time, the 320d is far from being a slow-moving model, the two-liter diesel pulling forward vigorously - at least in the lower gears of the well-shifting six-speed gearbox, whose high gears with "long" gears limit elasticity.

Strict switching instructions also provide cost savings. If you heed the indicator's advice, you can go down to 3,9 liters per 100 km - a sensationally low cost for a car weighing 1,5 tons, reaching almost 230 km / h. With such driving performance, even relatively modest interior space and stingy standard equipment seem much more acceptable.

A little, but from the heart

Standard equipment is an uncomfortable topic for the C-class too. While the top-of-the-range S60 offers bi-xenon headlights and leather upholstery, the more expensive €800 C 220 CDI lights up the road with halogen bulbs and is wrapped in faux leather. To reach the level of Volvo, it is necessary to invest more than 10 BGN in various additional services. And as for the savings, you can start it by giving up the Avantgarde level, because for 000 leva more than a chrome decoration, you will get almost nothing significant.

Otherwise, the 220 CDI, with its long-stroke and particularly flexible engine, is the true C-Class it has always been. This means enough space in the cabin and trunk, no pretensions to feats in road behavior, a workable suspension, a six-speed transmission with an easy and not very clear move, and now something new - a start-stop system, which, like in the "troika" It works quickly and reliably, but it is not enough to achieve the low cost level of BMW.

The comparison test ends with a slight difference in scores. This will please fans of Swedish steel, as the S60 is already playing in the Champions League and yet remains a real Volvo. And for those who still would not prefer this, the new slogan of the Swedish company is “Life is not only Volvo”. Indeed, there are other things in life - such as the "troika" and the C-class.

text: Sebastian Renz

a photo: Ahim Hartman

Fuel economy tricks

The BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition reduces air resistance through lower ground clearance. Friction-reduced power path and longer transmission gears help limit consumption. In addition, the model has a start-stop system and an indicator with switching instructions. Even at very low speeds, it encourages upshifts, because the centrifugal pendulum in the dual-mass flywheel allows you to drive at low speeds - from 1000 rpm and above, the engine pulls without traction.

Mercedes now also equips its C 220 CDI with automatic start-stop and shift indicator. The on-board computer can display the current consumption as a bar graph, and the infotainment system also displays the change in consumption over a period. Volvo owners are forced to drive economically without assistance or advice.

Evaluation

1. Mercedes C 220 CDI Avantgarde - 497 points

The victory of the C-class is due to the spacious body, good comfort and not very evenly but resiliently working 2,2-liter diesel engine. However, Mercedes has lagged behind in terms of active safety equipment lately. The high price is not justified due to poor equipment.

2. BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition - 494 points.

The narrow "three" earns points for economical and dynamic travel, as well as agility and safety on the road, rising to second place. However, the 320d offers neither refined comfort nor superior materials. The relatively mediocre acceleration figures are also disappointing.

3. Volvo S60 D3 Summum - 488 points.

Although advertised as a particularly sporty model, the S60 is more comfortable here. True, its engine is not the most economical and not the fastest, but it has the smoothest running. Despite its excellent safety equipment and reasonable price, the machine cannot make up for the losses due to poor control of functions and a large turning circle.

technical details

1. Mercedes C 220 CDI Avantgarde - 497 points	2. BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition - 494 points.	3. Volvo S60 D3 Summum - 488 points.
Working volume	-	-	-
Power	170 k.s. at 3000 rpm	163 k.s. at 3250 rpm	163 k.s. at 3000 rpm
Maximum torque	-	-	-
Acceleration 0-100 km / h	8,2 with	7,7 with	9,3 with
Braking distances at a speed of 100 km / h	37 m	39 m	38 m
full speed	232 km / h	228 km / h	220 km / h
Average consumption fuel in the test	6,7 l	6,1 l	6,9 l
Base Price	68 589 levov	65 620 levov	66 100 levov

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