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Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé Officially Revealed

12K views 72 replies 28 participants last post by  AndrewGS  
#1 ·
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé Officially Revealed

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Press Release

The perfect shape: the C-Class Coupe
In a class of its own: expressive, dramatic coupe design
Drive and vigor: two powerful direct-injection engines to choose from
Helping hand: numerous assistance systems available
Connected: new generation of telematics
The new MY2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe will debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1 and make its way to U.S. showrooms in September. The 302-hp C350 and 201-hp C250 include the progressive technology featured on the upcoming MY2012 C-Class sedan, but packaged in a coupe design that combines pure driving fun with exemplary efficiency.

"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 expressive. What we are offering is an exceptionally sporty way to enter the world of the Mercedes-Benz coupe."

Dramatic design with classic coupe proportions

From the side, the new coupe captivates the onlooker with its compact proportions, low silhouette (1.5 inches flatter than the sedan) with powerful shoulders and a narrow C-pillar in a classic three-box design. Typical coupe features include the short front overhang, long hood, steeply raked windshield and long, sloping roof. The greenhouse extends far beyond the rear axle to an aggressive short rear end.

While the wedge-shaped, sloping beltline provides a link to the C-Class sedan, its strong upsweep into the C-pillar is an entirely distinctive element. This part of the beltline trim moves sharply upwards to meet the roofline trim and not only adds an aggressive touch to the side windows but also enhances the powerful shoulders.

Front and rear: truly a coupe, truly C-Class

At the front, the new coupe shares the same styling as the latest C-Class sedan and yet still has its own personality. The front view is dominated by the prominent radiator grille surround including the bumper. The center air intake opens upwards, forming a visual base for the radiator grille, which has the double-louvre style typical of a coupe. Two chrome louvers extend on either side of the central star, tapering off at the outer edges and creating an aggressive, arrow-shaped horizontal sweep which gives the front end a pronounced V-shape.

This continues into the side sections which extend from beneath the headlamps and blend into the feature lines along the vehicle's length, thereby linking the front end with the sides. The side air intakes in the bumper featuring integrated horizontal daytime running lamps are positioned low, giving the coupe a road-hugging appearance. The shape of the clear-lens headlamps creates a dramatic impression, and acts together with the hood, radiator grille and bumper trim to reinforce the pronounced front section.

From the rear, the new C-Class Coupe looks athletically compact. The appearance of length is reduced by the flowing roof beyond the rear axle, steeply raked rear window and fluid C-pillars. A wide groove at the top of the trunk lid, which is based on the side panel, emphasizes the rear's compactness. Positioning the tail lights as far apart as possible emphasizes width. This particular impression of depth is achieved by a centrally located LED indicator, which appears to float in front of the red upper and lower lights with their more deeply set LEDs. Continuous, horizontal light-catching contours in the bumper further accentuate the broad, deep-set effect. A diffuser towards the bottom of the rear bumper between the tailpipe trim makes the rear end look lighter and gives the vehicle a distinctively sporty and dramatic quality.

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#2 ·
Looks incredible!

I can't believe they aren't putting diesels or a manual in this car since the outgoing CLC has them. Maybe the two gas engines they've chosen are introductory and more choice will come later.

Speaking of the CLC, I'm going to miss the fastback styling of the CL203, but we haven't had it in the States for a while anyways.

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#6 ·
Europe Version:

Motoren Mercedes C-KLasse Coupé (Stand Februar 2011)

Modell - Cyl. - ccm - PS - Nm- 0-100 km/h - Vmax km/h - Verbr. l/100 km

C 220 CDI BE - R4 - 2143 - 170 bei 3000 - 400 ab 1400 - 8,1 - 231 - 4,9
C 250 CDI BE - R4 - 2143 - 204 bei 4200 - 500 ab 1600 - 7,1 - 240 - 4,9
C 180 BE - R4 - 1796 - 156 bei 5000 - 250 ab 1600 - 8,8 - 223 - 6,5
C 250 BE - R4 - 1796 - 204 bei 5500 - 310 ab 2000 - 7,2 - 240 - 6,5
C 350 BE - V6 - 3498 - 306 bei 6500 - 370 ab 3500 - 6,0 - 250 - 6,8

:bounce:
 
#9 ·
Looks like a solid entry-level lux coupe. Not seeing anything that shocking, but it's an MB so it seems to be in line w/ their design language. I like the looks of that interior, especially with the two-tone. Will be interesting to see it battle with the 3 series and the A5.
 
#10 ·
Oh my.... I love it. This is the first Mercedes I've ever really liked.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Not bad. I liked how the previous version came with a manual transmission so that it could serve as an entry level vehicle for young motoring fans, but the reality was that it only served as nanna transport.

Funnily enough, the previous gen MB Coupe was the first time I noticed a premium brand putting plastic blanks in their body work to try and create a new version.

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vs.

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*hint: top of the tail light*

I think excluding a manual version is again going to limit appeal, and limit entry points for young motoring enthusiasts.
 
#23 ·
I think the CLC comes in undercutting the C sedans in price. I wonder if this new coupe will be priced above as they now sell As & Bs here.

I actually always quite liked the look of the current CLC I might have to check one out a bit more closely to see what you mean about the plastic filler panel.
 
#15 ·
It just...looks...CHEAP!

The profile says, "Chevy Vega."

Mercedes-Benz design has gone downhill since the 1st-generation CLK. the last Mercedes that has a stately presence on the road, and IT was controversial when it came out.

Probably because their current design head came from Hyundai. And was responsible for the Hyundais of the past that 'look like they've been in an accident.'

While Hyundai/KIA has new designers and hot new designs.

I'll take a 3-series over this.
 
#17 ·
It looks nice, but I can't same I'm amazed. To me, it could pass, design-wise, as a Honda as much as a Mercedes. It's nice, but that's it. My opinion anyway.
 
#19 ·
How exactly is $35,000 compact coupe affordable? At least you can get an all-leather interior, something the larger CTS doesn't even offer.
 
#21 ·
It's funny, on the one hand I actually like-to be clear, it's not love-the overall exterior and interior design, while on the other hand, it also seems to be a pretty forgetable design exercise. There's nothing particularly offensive about the design, but there's nothing especially inspired about it, either. I imagine it will blend in nicely within the sea of competitors. The powertrains aren't anything particularly inspiring.

I pray that Cadillac is cooking up something bigger with the ATS.
 
#24 ·
If you like this car, then please take your tasteless eyes away from this post.


Cause it SUCKS, dull, dull, dull, dull. Sorry to speak out against the cabal here that likes anything but a GM car, but the CTS coupe is like 9,000,000,000,000,000 x 10 more car than this thing, really, its like they did even try to style this thing.

Here cleanse your palette....

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Just a reminder, this starts at $39,040.
 
#25 · (Edited)
^^

I would argue that in recent times GM, with Chevy, Buick and even Cadillac has been looking more to Mercedes than perhaps any other brand for design inspiration. This is a very poor move though IMHO, since out of all the premium brands, Mercedes has the least refined design language, at least on the low to mid level models.

However all Mercedes really needs is a giant 3 point star, and no logo from GM can come close to matching that logo's cachet, which is partly why it's not a good move to be inspired by Mercedes for design.
 
#27 · (Edited)
I agree. I really liked the CTS coupe in the beginning and now I like it less and less all the time. I think it's one of the rare vehicles that look worse in black since all the dark areas of the windows blend in with the paint and make it even more slab-rear-ended.

The best looking coupes are sleek and have a more elegant look in normal guise and a sinister glare with the top model.

The front 3/4 of the CTS is awesome but that rear/hatch full diaper look of the rear 1/4 needs a fix or leave the coupe style up to the ATS.
 
#31 · (Edited)
Can't defend the vehicle, so you come up with a vague saying? Nice.

I certainly don't hate the CTS coupe. I've actually have the racing version as my desktop wallpaper at the moment, which I think fixes my problems with the coupe (nice big fender flares, lowered to help hide how tall the trunk is).

Every European manufacture is in the sub-compact market in their homeland, Mercedes is no different. What does a bunch of commercial vehicles have to do with the C-class?

What does Cadillac have that can compete with the...
S? CL? SL? SLS? CLS? Oh, that's right... absolutely nothing!
 
#30 · (Edited)
If you find the CTS coupe disappointing, the the C-class coupe is lay your head down on the railroad tracks awful.

However all Mercedes really needs is a giant 3 point star, and no logo from GM can come close to matching that logo's cachet, which is partly why it's not a good move to be inspired by Mercedes for design.
Mercedes-Prestige

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Now, dont get me wrong, I think Mercedes made some kick-arse cars through about the mid eighties, the W115 and W123, etc, but they have been riding the high of those cars for way to long, the majority of the stuff they make now is pretty average at best and the cars are mostly bought by label whores who want impress people they dont even know.
 
#36 ·
If you find the CTS coupe disappointing, the the C-class coupe is lay your head down on the railroad tracks awful.



Mercedes-Prestige



Now, dont get me wrong, I think Mercedes made some kick-arse cars through about the mid eighties, the W115 and W123, etc, but they have been riding the high of those cars for way to long, the majority of the stuff they make now is pretty average at best and the cars are mostly bought by label whores who want impress people they dont even know.
Are you suggesting that there is a GM brand with more cachet than Mercedes?