When Mercedes introduced the new C-class four-door sedans — the C240 and C320 with 6-cylinder engines — many thought the 16 valve, 2.3 liter, 192 hp, 4-cylinder supercharged (Kompressor in German) powerplant found in the previous C230 sedan and the SLK230 convertible was headed for the trash can. But no. Here it is again in the coupe with its throaty grunt and 0-to-60 time of 7.9 seconds.

The 2002 Mercedes C 230 is a spirited and easy-to-handle car.

For excitement-challenged drivers, it has a six-speed manual transmission which, although it makes optimal use of the engine’s powerband, also makes your right arm do a lot of thrashing around. Mercedes probably could have gotten away with a five-speed and a little less cockpit work.

The five-speed automatic may be more compatible with all but the raciest of drivers, but supercharger lag is more noticeable than with the manual transmission.

This is a spirited and easy-to-handle car with flat cornering at the limit and was described by the writer’s grandkids as “zoooomy.” (Sorry Mazda, but this one’s more zoomy than yours.)

This car looks fast with a swoopy downslope from the rear to the front. The high rear does affect rearward vision in spite of the back-mounted see-through plexiglass intended to deal with that problem. This body is slippery with good aerodynamics for effortless fast driving and good highway fuel consumption.

Although the interior gives the impression of being small, it can actually accommodate four six-footers with a fair degree of comfort, except for getting in and out of the back seat, which like most two-door cars challenges the human frame. This is a car for someone with a liking for sporty sedans, BMWs, Audis, etc. The optional moonroof comes with an opening front panel over the front seats and a fixed glass panel over the rear seats — nice, with lots of light.

The instrument panel is uncluttered, maybe too uncluttered, with its almost total reliance on warning lights. Lots of information, however, is available from the optional Comand computer operable from the steering wheel. The usual fuel consumption and remaining mileage data is available, along with engine oil level, outside air temperature, clock, radio stations plus an explanation of any malfunction and more.

Mercedes owners instantly will be familiar with the layout of the controls — the wipers, signal, cruise control and headlights. Weighing a solid 3,300 pounds, this one also has the tanklike feeling common to the Mercedes line.

This car is remarkably well-equipped with alarm system, front and rear disc brakes, cargo cover, keyless remote entry, front and rear fog lights, garage door openers, automatic headlamps, central locking, heated power mirrors, dual front airbags with front and rear head curtains and side impact air bags, automatic slip and traction control, cruise, electronic suspension stability control, leather wrapped tilt and telescoping steering wheel with radio and computer touch controls, trip computer, heated intermittent windshield wipers, aluminum wheels and power windows. Whew! That’s a lot of free stuff. Well, maybe not free, but in the base price.

The options available are automatic transmission at $1,300; Comand system including navigation, $2,080; communication system, $750; upgraded Bose radio, $610; leather seats, $1,410: A package with moonroof, power rear sunshade and rain-sensing wipers costs $995, and an integrated cell phone with six-disk CD changer is $1,795.

Fuel consumption is quite good at 19 mpg city and 29 mpg highway with the six-speed. The automatic transmission shifts more precisely than most drivers, improving the city mpg to 21 while only losing 1 mpg on the highway at 28 mpg.

In summary, at just under $25,000 this is a great value from Mercedes Benz. With the C230 coupe, Mercedes will find many more drivers that might have been lost to Honda Preludes, Toyota Solaras and Acura CLs, all priced at or above the C230. The hope is that these drivers will continue to buy a Benz as their financial strength improves and become company diehards for the rest of their lives.

If you are a coupe person, don’t use rear seats much, like sporty driving and have a spare $25,000, go for a test drive at Hoehn Mercedes in Carlsbad, San Diego Mercedes Benz on Balboa, Mercedes Benz of Escondido or Heinz Geitz in La Jolla. Incredible value.

Motoring since 1952, Austin Lynas has owned 54 cars and at one time raced mini-sedans in England. An aerospace engineer, he was instrumental in developing the anti-skid systems used in British military aircraft that preceded today’s ABS systems. Lynas can be reached by e-mail at osten@aol.com.