2012 Mercedes-Benz C-class Coupe
Hot on the heels of the refreshed 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-class sedan, the company has taken the wraps off the latest addition to the C-class line, this sharply styled coupe. Merc's new two-door four-seater debuts at the Geneva auto show.
Unsurprisingly, the C coupe's snout looks rather like the new nose on the C-class sedan, although the fascia has been slightly tweaked. The C coupe's side profile is definitely going to provoke reactions; some will say it's characteristic of modern Mercedes-Benzes, featuring a strong rising beltline and a kink at the C-pillar. Others may say it looks like a Honda Accord coupe, a comparison the Mercedes styling team would no doubt be upset to hear. All C coupes will come standard with 17-inch wheels, the design of which will depend on the trim level, and all C coupes will feature chrome-tipped dual exhaust tips.
Two Trims to Start
Americans will see the C-class coupe in two flavors to start, an entry-level C250 and an upscale C350—the 450-plus-hp, plutonium-flavored C63 AMG coupe comes later. (The C63 was recently revealed—albeit briefly—via Mercedes’ Super Bowl commercial.) Both non-AMG cars’ powertrains are new for this year, and will be shared with the C-class sedan. In the event you've forgotten the specs of the new engines, a quick recap: The C250 will feature a turbocharged and direct-injected 1.8-liter inline-four good for 201 hp and 229 lb-ft. Its bigger-engined brother, the C350 coupe, packs a naturally aspirated, direct-injected 3.5-liter V-6, cranking out 304 hp and 273 lb-ft. As in the sedan, both of these engines will route power only to the rear wheels. The all-wheel-drive C300 4MATIC version is reserved for the sedan.
In the U.S., both the four and the six will come only with Benz's seven-speed automatic transmission, dashing hopes that the coupe would take up the stick-shift cause from the now-automatic-only C-class sedan. Perhaps as a compromise, both C-class coupes will have paddle shifters on the steering wheel—a feature that's not available on non-AMG C-class sedans. Helping the sporty-driving cause, the C-class coupe will come with the company's Agility Control system, which features adaptive dampers.
Lots of Standard Features
Indoors, the C-class coupe is much the same as its four-door sibling. The dash is significantly better than the pre-facelift C-class sedan’s, featuring higher-quality materials and a more stylish layout. Buyers of the C250 will find their interiors trimmed with aluminum, while C350 coupe owners are treated to walnut wood, and can upgrade to snazzy matte-finished ash wood. The C-class coupe is crammed with standard features, many of which are expensive options on the C-class sedan. They include a panoramic sunroof, sport seats, Bluetooth, a 5.8-inch multimedia display, LED daytime running lights, nine airbags (including dual front pelvic airbags), and Benz's Attention Assist system. The C-class coupe also will include Merc's newest-generation COMAND infotainment interface, should buyers stump up to buy the navigation system.
With all of these toys included, the C-class coupes should have base prices somewhat higher than an equivalent sedan’s when they go on sale in September. Still, given the new C’s features and its handsome looks, dealers should have no trouble filling their order books, so long as customers don't end up leasing two-door Accords by accident.
Hot on the heels of the refreshed 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-class sedan, the company has taken the wraps off the latest addition to the C-class line, this sharply styled coupe. Merc's new two-door four-seater debuts at the Geneva auto show.
Unsurprisingly, the C coupe's snout looks rather like the new nose on the C-class sedan, although the fascia has been slightly tweaked. The C coupe's side profile is definitely going to provoke reactions; some will say it's characteristic of modern Mercedes-Benzes, featuring a strong rising beltline and a kink at the C-pillar. Others may say it looks like a Honda Accord coupe, a comparison the Mercedes styling team would no doubt be upset to hear. All C coupes will come standard with 17-inch wheels, the design of which will depend on the trim level, and all C coupes will feature chrome-tipped dual exhaust tips.
Two Trims to Start
Americans will see the C-class coupe in two flavors to start, an entry-level C250 and an upscale C350—the 450-plus-hp, plutonium-flavored C63 AMG coupe comes later. (The C63 was recently revealed—albeit briefly—via Mercedes’ Super Bowl commercial.) Both non-AMG cars’ powertrains are new for this year, and will be shared with the C-class sedan. In the event you've forgotten the specs of the new engines, a quick recap: The C250 will feature a turbocharged and direct-injected 1.8-liter inline-four good for 201 hp and 229 lb-ft. Its bigger-engined brother, the C350 coupe, packs a naturally aspirated, direct-injected 3.5-liter V-6, cranking out 304 hp and 273 lb-ft. As in the sedan, both of these engines will route power only to the rear wheels. The all-wheel-drive C300 4MATIC version is reserved for the sedan.
In the U.S., both the four and the six will come only with Benz's seven-speed automatic transmission, dashing hopes that the coupe would take up the stick-shift cause from the now-automatic-only C-class sedan. Perhaps as a compromise, both C-class coupes will have paddle shifters on the steering wheel—a feature that's not available on non-AMG C-class sedans. Helping the sporty-driving cause, the C-class coupe will come with the company's Agility Control system, which features adaptive dampers.
Lots of Standard Features
Indoors, the C-class coupe is much the same as its four-door sibling. The dash is significantly better than the pre-facelift C-class sedan’s, featuring higher-quality materials and a more stylish layout. Buyers of the C250 will find their interiors trimmed with aluminum, while C350 coupe owners are treated to walnut wood, and can upgrade to snazzy matte-finished ash wood. The C-class coupe is crammed with standard features, many of which are expensive options on the C-class sedan. They include a panoramic sunroof, sport seats, Bluetooth, a 5.8-inch multimedia display, LED daytime running lights, nine airbags (including dual front pelvic airbags), and Benz's Attention Assist system. The C-class coupe also will include Merc's newest-generation COMAND infotainment interface, should buyers stump up to buy the navigation system.
With all of these toys included, the C-class coupes should have base prices somewhat higher than an equivalent sedan’s when they go on sale in September. Still, given the new C’s features and its handsome looks, dealers should have no trouble filling their order books, so long as customers don't end up leasing two-door Accords by accident.
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