Mercedes has revealed its new C-Class Coupe.
As the sportiest variant of the C-Class, the Coupe features a new front section with a diamond radiator grille and long bonnet, as well as a high beltline and frameless doors with free-standing exterior mirrors. A 'long drawn-out' dropping line typical of a Coupe, contrasts with the C-Class Saloon - while the suspension is 15 millimetres lower.
On the inside, the driver and passengers share an ambience borrowed from the C-Class Saloon. The individually designed trim elements underscore the sporty character of the interior, says Mercedes, with a seating system - including integral sports seats - designed specifically for the Coupe. With an 80 millimetre longer wheelbase, the C-Class Coupe is 95 millimetres longer and 40 millimetres wider overall. This increased vehicle volume creates more spaciousness for the driver and front passenger and there is more shoulder room, elbow room and headroom in all seats.
The AMG Line trim adds exterior features such as special bumpers and sills, a diamond radiator grille with pins in chrome and 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels. Interior highlights include upholstery in ARTICO man-made leather/DINAMICA microfibre in black with contrasting topstitching, a multifunction sports steering wheel with flattened bottom section and AMG sports pedals. The trim in open-pore black ash, combined with aluminium in the dashboard and the doors, emphasises the look. An optional Interior Chrome package features numerous highlights shrouded in silver chrome, including the instrument cluster, the air vents and the door openers.
The C-Class's suspension is set up for a balance of comfort and agile driving dynamics. A new 4-link front axle with wheel suspension decoupled from the spring strut plays a part in the car's handling characteristics. Steel suspension comes as standard. There are two variants with a selective damping system available in conjunction with this suspension, each of which is 15 millimetres lower than on the Saloon: Comfortable AGILITY CONTROL suspension with a sporty character, and Sports suspension with tauter springing and damping including Sports Direct-Steer system for even more agile handling.
The new Coupe is powered by a choice of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines with ECO start/stop functions. Compared with the predecessor they consume up to 27 percent less fuel. There will initially be four petrol engines available with the power spectrum ranging from the 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine in the C 180 with 115 kW/156 hp to the two-litre C 200 (135 kW/184 hp) and C 250 (155 kW/211 hp) models and the C 300, likewise with a displacement of two litres but with an output of 180 kW/245 hp. The two diesel models are equipped with an enhanced four-cylinder unit developing 125 kW (170 hp) or 150 kW (204 hp) and feature eco-friendly SCR technology (Selective Catalytic Reduction) for exhaust gas aftertreatment.
A lightweight construction with a higher proportion of aluminium helps make the Coupe lighter than its predecessor. Light-alloy components include the wings, bonnet and boot lid. At the same time, the body is now much stiffer and stronger thanks to the use of high-strength materials, which Mercedes says has a positive effect on not only driving dynamics and noise levels but also crash safety.
There are several safety and assistance systems based on the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive concept to choose from. ATTENTION ASSIST with adjustable sensitivity, which can warn the driver of inattentiveness and drowsiness, is included as standard. Further standard equipment includes COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, which features an acoustic warning for the driver at speeds above 5mph and Adaptive Brake Assist to help avoid collisions by boosting the braking effect in line with the current situation.
When a danger of collision persists and the driver fails to respond, the system is able to carry out autonomous braking at speeds of up to 124mph, thereby reducing the severity of collisions. At speeds of up to 31mph the system also brakes in response to stationary vehicles, and is thus able to help prevent rear-end collisions at up to 24mph. In addition to 3-point seat belts with pyrotechnical belt tensioning and belt-force limitation for driver, front passenger and rear passengers, numerous airbags serve to protect the vehicle's occupants in an accident. As in the Saloon, the air conditioning system in the new C-Class Coupe uses satellite navigation to detect tunnels, and closes the air recirculation flap automatically when entering a tunnel and opens it again after exiting a tunnel.
The new Mercedes C-Class Coupe arrives in showrooms in December 2015. Pricing has yet to be announced.