Here's a funny one. When we saw the new
Mercedes C-Class Coupe
in spy shots we were all gushing over lovely it looked. And now the covers are off? Well ... what do you think?
There's certainly a sense of the
mini S-Class Coupe
vibe we were hoping for. But whereas the longer, lower S-Class proportions have that classic coupe elegance from these shots the C-Class equivalent just looks a little pinched and awkwardly perched on its springs. Probably not fair to pass final judgement until we see it in the metal and we'll just have to hope this is a trick of the rendered press shots. And the 'real' photos taken of the test mules are actually a more accurate reflection. Certainly the additional 80mm in the wheelbase, 95mm overall and 40mm in the width suggest it should carry off the look without appearing gawky but we'll have to see.
Enough goatee stroking about design though. What about the mechanical stuff? Do you want to know about the things Mercedes boasts about in the opening paragraph of its press release, like reduced tyre roar, class leading aerodynamics, "high performance yet efficient" engines or systems that provide "safety of the highest calibre"?
Nah. You want to know when the AMG C63 version is coming.
Oh. Actually that's not in the press release, though it does appear we'll be driving it on the press launch in November so we'll have to hope it's not too far off being announced.
For now back to safety, efficiency, luxury and all the other civilised and worthy stuff Mercedes coupes traditionally do rather nicely. Like the saloon, the option of air suspension is a bit of a USP in this market segment and expands on the already impressive comfort of the two standard steel-sprung set-ups. Agility Control is the comfort option while Sport is ... sportier. Indeed, if you're playing press release catchphrase bingo derivations of this word crop up several times per paragraph, Mercedes very keen to impress that this is the most 'sportlich' version of the C-Class you can buy. Well, apart from the AMG versions of the saloon or estate. Or the impressive C450 AMG Sport, which seemingly doesn't yet feature in what is - initially at least - an all four-cylinder engine line-up.
Petrols comprise a 1.6 156hp C180 and 2.0-litres in the C200, 250 and 300 with 184hp, 211hp and 245hp respectively. Two as-yet unnamed diesels of 170hp and 204hp correspond with the 2.2-litre C220 and C250 Bluetecs in the saloon and estate ranges. Hybrids and more to follow, doubtless.
The saloon's stylishly opulent interior is carried over but Mercedes coupe fans will be disappointed to see the traditional pillarless profile hasn't been revived from the days of the old CLK. Mercedes says the cabin "exudes athletic and youthful charm" much as the stereotypical chino-wearing customer base wish they still did, the C-Class most definitely still the 'mature' choice compared with the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5.
It's certainly got enough safety systems to see you through to a ripe old age, the C-Class's suite of stopping, steering, navigating and dreariness abating assists all present and correct. It'll even talk to the sat nav and change the ventilation to recirculating mode when you through a tunnel. Leaving you to do ... what?
So much for the grey slip-on versions though. PH interest will no doubt be more piqued by the confirmation of the C63 variant, which we hope won't be too far off. This with the 510hp 'S' tune of AMG's new twin-turbo V8 sets up an interesting showdown with the BMW M4 we look forward to hosting in the not too distant. Until then...