New Mercedes C-Class goes coupe for 2011

The picture-covers are off the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe just in time for its no doubt more glamorous public unveiling at next month’s Geneva Motor Show, and then into the sales brochures in June, priced around £30k.

"By extending the C-Class portfolio, we are consciously targeting new customers," says Dr Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars. 

"The new model is youthful, stylish and dynamic. What we are offering is an exceptionally sporty way to enter the world of the Mercedes-Benz coupe."

These new customers are apparently aged 35 to 45 and things like professional success, love of life and a strong sense of responsibility, are all important to them. That’s one in-depth market research questionnaire! 

Back to the Coupe. Those coupe looks come courtesy of a 41mm lower roofline than the C-Class saloon on which it’s based, and while it’s the same length as the saloon, the heavily raked C-pillar eventually ending at the short boot-lid, some distance past the rear axle, brings much more swoon to the coupe. Long nose, short bum – classic coupe, you could say. 

The latest, and much needed for Mercedes, Mercedes competition for BMW’s 3-Series coupe and Audi’s A5 gets the current Mercedes design trend of an extra-bold, V-shape front-end featuring a large, 2-bar front grille, large brand badge and LED driving lights. Overall it seems like a handsome enough coupe evolution of the current C-Class, if perhaps a little understated. 

However, German cars of late do seem to have been cut from a similar, plain cloth. However again, UK-bound C-Class Coupes will sport an AMG Sports Package as standard, featuring AMG bodystyling and 18-inch AMG alloys.

More important – to company car drivers at least - than the not-so-knockout looks is a full range of (diesel) engines. With the C-Class Coupe there is a choice of two diesel and three petrol engines to help munch the miles, and all are equipped with direct injection and a start/stop function as standard. 

The most economical model is the C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with manual six-speed transmission and start/stop function. It has an average fuel consumption of 64.2mpg and puffs out 117g/km of CO2 – impressive for a ‘big’ car. 

The most powerful engine is the V6 petrol found under the long hood of the C 350 BlueEFFICIENCY. It delivers 306bhp and an average fuel consumption of 41.5mpg. 

Transmission-wise you can choose from a 7-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual, with the manual gearbox returning slightly better economy; turning less internal hardware. 

Inside there's space for four travellers, and the usual smattering of Mercedes techno-wizardry, including larger information displays, phone book transfer, display of SMS messages, wireless music reproduction via Bluetooth and a USB interface. There’s also an attention assist system that picks up signs that the driver is getting tired. 

More pictures to follow from the Mercedes-Benz stand at the Geneva Motor Show, in our TotallyMotor show coverage.


By Daniel Anslow

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