THE new C-class has dispensed with the old recirculating ball steering, replacing it with a rack and pinion system. Mercedes claims it provides more immediate response and, with the steering gear located in front of the wheel centre plane, more predictable understeer when cornering. There are passive safety benefits, too. In particular, the new steering system is transversely mounted onto a deformable aluminium bracket and therefore does not impede in the energy absorption process in the event of a crash. The old system formed a solid block that absorbed no energy.