Automotive

December release for Mercedes' slinky new C-Class coupe

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The new C-Class Coupe has been designed to provide a sportier alternative to the C-Class Sedan
The C-Class Coupe's interior is almost identical to the sedan's
Burmeister audio is optional on the C-Class Coupe
The C-Class cabin draws heavily from the design of the S-Class
Sports seats are one of the perks of choosing the coupe over the sedan
There's only room for two in the back
Mercedes' diamond grille features on the new coupe
That classic coupe roofline translates well to the new C-Class body
The C-Class Coupe's rear end draws heavily on design cues introduced on the S-Class
Mercedes has gone all out with the new C-Class Coupe
There are six engines available on the new C-Class Coupe
The C-Class Coupe is available with a wide range of driver aids
The new C-Class Coupe has been designed to provide a sportier alternative to the C-Class Sedan
The car's profile is beautifully resolved
Mercedes is offering air suspension as an option on the new C-Class Coupe
The car's auto-emergency braking will now avoid pedestrians and cross-traffic
To compete with the BMW 4 Series, Mercedes' latest offering will need to be efficient
Mercedes has made the C-Class Coupe longer than the car it replaces
The coupe sits 15 mm lower than the sedan
Mercedes is offering air suspension as an option on the new C-Class Coupe
There are six engines available on the new C-Class Coupe
The car's auto-emergency braking will now avoid pedestrians and cross-traffic
The C-Class will likely be offered as an AMG version soon
The C-Class Coupe is available with a wide range of driver aids
The C-Class Coupe's rear end is its strongest design feature
View gallery - 24 images

Mercedes has taken the wraps off its gorgeous new C-Class Coupe. Thanks to a raft of driver-assistance systems and fuel-efficient engines, Mercedes has sent it into battle with the substance to back up its great-looking exterior design.

Whereas Mercedes' last C-Class Coupe shared most of its sheetmetal with the sedan, the new car has a totally unique rear-end, which borrows a lot from the much more expensive S-Class Coupe. It's longer than its predecessor, too, with an extra 60 mm (2.36 in) between the firewall and front axle alone, and it sits on suspension 15 mm (0.59 in) lower than the sedan's.

The C-Class Coupe's rear end draws heavily on design cues introduced on the S-Class

Just like Audi has done with its new A4, Mercedes has tried to turn the C-Class Coupe into a semi-autonomous showpiece. With its Distronic Plus cruise control system, Mercedes' latest offering is able to modulate its speed based on the car in front between 0 and 200 km/h (124 mph), and can steer to maintain its line behind another car in areas without lane markings to guide it.

The C-Class Coupe will also be available with an advanced automatic braking system that can now detect cross-traffic and add more brake pressure if it thinks the driver isn't braking hard enough to avoid a collision. The system is able to avoid accidents at speeds up to 50 km/h (31 mph), and will activate at speeds of up to 72 km/h (45 mph) to try and mitigate the impact of a crash.

The automation continues to the car's climate control system, which uses GPS to recognize tunnels and changes the settings to prevent fumes entering the cabin.

The C-Class Coupe is available with a wide range of driver aids

If the car's sleek styling and driver assistance systems can't draw people into the showroom, Mercedes will be hoping its range of engines can. The petrol range kicks off with the 1.6-liter, 115 kW (156 hp) C180, before jumping up to three 2.0-liter models, the most powerful of which makes 180 kW (245 hp). There are also two diesels available, producing 125 kW (170 hp) and 150 kW (204 hp) respectively.

Mercedes hasn't revealed details about pricing for the new C-Class Coupe when it lands in December, but you can probably expect prices to closely mirror those of the BMW 4 Series, Lexus RC and Audi A5.

Source: Daimler

View gallery - 24 images
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4 comments
Bill Bennett
That car is hideous. Ugly front and back. Unappealing roof line, sides driven against the ugly post. YUK.
OwenFuchs
I"m very glad I purchased my Inifiniti.........QX70..........the benz is under powered and not very attractive, as well......
citizenchan
Sorry, but this thing looks like the 6 year old design of the Accord Coupe
http://cdn3.automobilesreview.com/img/2010-honda-accord-coupe/2010-honda-accord-coupe-02.jpg
FoeQueue
citizenchan nailed it -- this is the old Accord. I won't go so far as to call it ugly or hideous (though to each his/her own), but I think using the term "gorgeous" is similarly hyperbolic.