Sun shining, car cleaned (everyone knows a car drives better when freshly cleaned ) and the roads dry so took the opportunity to explore the RC's sporty side on my favourite test route, used many times in my AMG.
I have to say I'm very impressed
Switching to Sport drive mode brings a much snappier throttle response and putting the gear selector into Sport gives a realistic manual change mode, enabling a sort of 'kick-down' in preparation for overtaking. The RC may be way down in power compared with my old CLS55 but I was still able to attack corners with gusto. The RC definitely handles better than the air-sprung CLS, exhibiting virtually zero body roll in the bends. The straights feel somewhat longer, obviously, with the reduced power but using the 'gears' gives a strong push in the back.
Switching to the Sports+ drive mode stiffens up the suspension considerably, steering is very direct and responsive but on some of the B roads is a little too hard, deflecting the car in bumpy corners.
I have to say the different drive and transmission modes do transform the car's character. Far more than other cars I've experienced. It's like having three cars in one. A smooth relaxed urban cruiser, a sporty, comfortable long distance tourer and a sporty A/B road warrior.
No, it won't out-pace the usual Merc, VW and BMW competition but hey, the RC looks waaay better at any speed, even parked
Forgot to add, all this and I'm getting a real world 40mpg, what's not to like?