Mercedes-Benz has finally revealed the C-Class Coupe ahead of its motor show debut in Frankfurt next month. Based on the W205 C-Class sedan, points emphasised by Stuttgart are the coupe's sleek design and driving pleasure.
The new C-Class Coupe is a significant 95 mm longer and 40 mm wider than the old car, with 60 mm of that extra length going between the firewall and front axle alone. The long bonnet is paired with a raked windscreen, low greenhouse, high beltline and long frameless doors. The body's Cd value is 0.26.
The front end design is similar to its C-Class siblings, but the rear design takes after the S-Class Coupe. On the flanks, the dropping line extends further past the rear wheel arch compared to the sedan. The coupe's standard steel suspension (Airmatic is optional) is 15 mm lower than that of the saloon, and standard rims are 17-inch items, although we suspect that many will go for optional 18- and 19-inch alloys.
With the above-mentioned increase in footprint, plus an 80 mm longer wheelbase, Mercedes is promising more shoulder room, elbow room and headroom in all (four) seats. The W205 C-Class dashboard has received much praise, and is used here along with unique front sports seats with integral headrests and standard automatic belt feeder. The latter, also seen in the E-Class Coupe, means one doesn't have to risk twisting his/her back to reach for the seatbelt, useful in long-doored coupes.
An Interior Chrome package introduces highlights in silver chrome, including the instrument cluster, air vents and the door openers. There are some unique upholstery colour combos: saddle brown, porcelain and - in the Edition 1 - nut brown/black with turquoise topstitching.
The C-Class Coupe is powered by an initial range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. All are Euro 6 compliant, have auto start/stop and consume up to 20% less fuel than before.
The four petrol engines range from the 1.6 litre in the C 180 with 156 hp to the 2.0 litre C 200 (184 hp) and C 250 (211 hp) models. The C 300's 2.0 litre engine makes 245 hp. The two diesel models are develop 170 hp (C 220d) or 204 hp (C 250d) and feature Selective Catalytic Reduction tech for exhaust gas after-treatment.
Gearbox options for the range include a six-speed manual, seven-speed auto or nine-speed auto for selected engines. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but 4Matic AWD will be available for certain variants.
No word on six-pot engines yet, but Merc rolled out a C 450 AMG 4Matic variant for the sedan and wagon earlier this year, featuring a sportier chassis and a 3.0 litre twin-turbo V6 with 362 hp/518 Nm. This should be down the road for the Coupe.
Mercedes-Benz is pretty deep into autonomous driving, and has equipped the C-Class Coupe with "safe semi-autonomous driving" tech. Distronic Plus with Steering Assist and Stop & Go Pilot is an adaptive cruise control system that can adjust speed in line with a slower-moving vehicle ahead, and works from 0 to 200 km/h. Steering intervention helps the driver stay in lane, and at speeds below 130 km/h, the system can follow the vehicle ahead even where there are no (or unclear) lane markings.
Besides vehicles ahead and stationary ones, BAS Plus Brake Assist System can also detect crossing traffic and boost the braking force if the driver fails to apply the brakes sufficiently. Pre-Safe Brake can even detect pedestrians and brake autonomously if the driver fails to react, potentially preventing accidents up to 50 km/h and reducing the severity of collisions at speeds of up to 72 km/h.
For those who want sportier looks, the AMG Line offers special bumpers and sills, a diamond radiator grille with pins in chrome and 18-inch AMG alloys. Interior highlights include upholstery in Artico man-made leather/Dinamica microfibre in black with contrasting topstitching, a sports steering wheel with flattened bottom and sports pedals. Trim in open-pore black ash, combined with aluminium in the dashboard and the doors, emphasises the look.
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