When faced with our test equipment, the 200kW C350 marginally bettered the figures achieved by the BMW 330i over the quarter mile and 0-100km sprint and it proved significantly quicker than the Audi A4 3.2.

However, the C350 obliterated the 330i in the 80 to 120km/h run, recording 5.4 seconds versus the BM's 8.2. Then again, the Merc does have 350Nm available from 2400rpm and a 7-speed gearbox capable of making multiple downshifts when your right foot commands a sudden surge of power.

Problem is, it costs R377 000 ? expensive when the 330i and A4 3.2 hover around the R350K mark. In fact, the new 170kW Merc C280, at just under R240K, is probably a more natural rival to the aforementioned pair.

Another downer is that the C350 hardly looks any different to lesser C-Classes, only its 17-inch alloy wheels set it apart and even those have a familiar design.

The best way to justify the C350's price tag is to view it as a poor man's C55. It costs over R200 000 less and is just 70kW less powerful, while on the road this translates to a 1.7 second deficit from 0-100 and over the quarter mile and just 0.8 seconds from 80 to 120km/h.

Very fair compromise on paper, but if you've ever driven the C55, you'll miss the V8 growl and the way it pushes you back in your seat when you stomp the right pedal.

The C350 delivers its power far more smoothly and it's driven through Merc's silky-smooth 7G Tronic seven-speed autobox, whereas the C55 retains the 'traditional' five-speeder.

The C350 also embodies greater sophistication in the engine department. Gone is the uncompetitive SOHC V6 that fitted to the C320, in its place something that's modern in every respect.

It now has two camshafts per cylinder bank, with continuously variable adjustment that can seamlessly vary the angels of all camshafts by up to 40 degrees, ensuring the most efficient valve movement for each situation. This system also improves fuel economy slightly.

Dynamically, though the RWD chassis with multi-link suspension is still competent, it's not as good as the latest BMW and Audi rivals. It's particularly not up to the BMW for steering feel or directness ? the driver still feels a bit detached from the whole experience.

The ride quality, while firm, is still nowhere near harsh; in fact it's as good as you could possibly expect from a sports sedan with 17-inch wheels.

While the C350 lacks the emotion of the C55 in both styling and in the driving experience, if you compare the two on a performance versus rands scale, then it emerges as a very sensible substitute and it's more sophisticated in most respects.

Yet, for even less money, we'd be tempted to opt for the new C320 CDI, which almost matches the C350 in most performance parameters, yet sips just 7.3 litres per 100km on the combined cycle.