Based on the C-Class Saloon that was reviewed a month ago, the C-Class Coupe that you see here was introduced to us four years ago. Four years. And within that span of time, competitors such as BMW and Audi pushed out a number of coupes that had the media rubbing their chins in awe. So why did Mercedes-Benz take this long to launch the next generation of the C-Class Coupe? Could it be due to the fact that the saloon was selling like hotcakes that they didn't see a need for an update on the coupe?
Whatever the reason, late introduction is always better than no introduction. As a rival for the highly regarded 3-Series and A5, the coupe version of the recently revised C-Class is such a charming and likeable machine it may as well make the grade as an all-new creation by the German marque. That doesn't mean to say that taking four long years was a marketing tactic planned by Mercedes-Benz. Instead, Mercedes-Benz has been busy sorting out major weaknesses the C-Class had to ensure that the coupe version benefits accordingly.
And it sure as hell did.
Exterior
Despite sharing many similarities as its four-door brethren, the C-Class Coupe brings a different set of personality to the table. So I saw stunning rooflines and sporty adornments - such as the short front overhang and steeply raked windscreen - and stumbled upon small differences between this and the saloon.
Whatever the reason, late introduction is always better than no introduction. As a rival for the highly regarded 3-Series and A5, the coupe version of the recently revised C-Class is such a charming and likeable machine it may as well make the grade as an all-new creation by the German marque. That doesn't mean to say that taking four long years was a marketing tactic planned by Mercedes-Benz. Instead, Mercedes-Benz has been busy sorting out major weaknesses the C-Class had to ensure that the coupe version benefits accordingly.
And it sure as hell did.
Exterior
Despite sharing many similarities as its four-door brethren, the C-Class Coupe brings a different set of personality to the table. So I saw stunning rooflines and sporty adornments - such as the short front overhang and steeply raked windscreen - and stumbled upon small differences between this and the saloon.
 |
Apart from having a lower roof and a slightly shorter boot as compared to the saloon, the coupe also sports a two-bar grille upfront, more aggressively shaped new bumpers and stretched headlamps with bi-xenon together with c-shaped position lights that can be seen in the picture gallery below.
As subtle as the differences may be, neighbours will start stealing peeks at the chunky star emblem within the grille and political whispers the moment you have the coupe parked at your lot.
As a whole, the styling is certainly handsome and is a more striking vehicle to look at than the pictures suggest. Rather than allowing the public to perceive the coupe as a chopped down version of the saloon, Mercedes-Benz succeeded in making the car's outlook distinctive enough to stand out as a model on its own. It's indeed striding the fine line between classiness and aggression with some success.
 |
Interior
It's at this point in time when potential buyers will have people telling them that getting a two-door car loses practicality. But that's not the case with the C-Class Coupe. Granted that the rear could do with a three-man bench, it fits two full-sized adults with sufficient head and legroom to keep them comfortable over long trips. Plus, with a sizeable boot space, drivers can still have their golf bags placed inside without any fuss - an engineering mastery from the considerate geniuses at Stuttgart, Germany.
Given that our test car came with the AMG Sports Package as standard, it featured electric flamenco red bucket seats with integrated head restraints, leather-wrapped steering wheel with a shaved off bottom, steering wheel-mounted shift paddles and a KEYLESS-GO feature, giving ultimate convenience to drivers. But what really got the C-Class Coupe extra points is the fancier dashboard treatment - like its facelifted four-door sibling, the curves on the dashboard are poetry in motion. Drivers will tend to realise the well-sorted intentions behind every bit of detail in the cabin.
It's at this point in time when potential buyers will have people telling them that getting a two-door car loses practicality. But that's not the case with the C-Class Coupe. Granted that the rear could do with a three-man bench, it fits two full-sized adults with sufficient head and legroom to keep them comfortable over long trips. Plus, with a sizeable boot space, drivers can still have their golf bags placed inside without any fuss - an engineering mastery from the considerate geniuses at Stuttgart, Germany.
Given that our test car came with the AMG Sports Package as standard, it featured electric flamenco red bucket seats with integrated head restraints, leather-wrapped steering wheel with a shaved off bottom, steering wheel-mounted shift paddles and a KEYLESS-GO feature, giving ultimate convenience to drivers. But what really got the C-Class Coupe extra points is the fancier dashboard treatment - like its facelifted four-door sibling, the curves on the dashboard are poetry in motion. Drivers will tend to realise the well-sorted intentions behind every bit of detail in the cabin.
The C-Class Coupe has an altogether feel of well-functioned, warm and elegance in its cabin. Although it lacks that little je ne sais quoi of the 3-Series Coupe, it's essentially a place occupants will feel good in.
The only complain, though, is the noticeably absent of a seatbelt-delivery system and a sunroof which some finer coupes offer. It's not a big deal but it's just a troublesome issue you'll have to live with.
The only complain, though, is the noticeably absent of a seatbelt-delivery system and a sunroof which some finer coupes offer. It's not a big deal but it's just a troublesome issue you'll have to live with.
 |
The Drive
The top-of-the-range C350 is powered by a refined 3.5-litre V6 powerplant that produces a peak of 306 horses and 370Nm of torque that enables the car to demolish the century sprint in just six seconds. The engine is a feisty thing that feels like it has a bigger displacement figure than what the paper suggests and it does live up to the expectations the aggressive looks (with AMG Sports Package) inspire.
The C-Class Coupe is responsive to throttle inputs, with its cogs changes well matched for the different occasion. It revs readily and firmly, emitting a rorty exhaust note that gives the coupe a certain sense of urgency. Floor the accelerator and the car literally shoots off the line, sending the needle on the tachometer to hit the 5,000 mark promptly. But the Sport mode takes it a level higher. Once enabled, the throttle response goes hyperactive and holds the revs longer while the transmission swops gears more aggressively, causing the already stirring exhaust note to become noisier but nicer.
On the tarmac, the two-door Merc handles well thanks to the Agility Control suspension which has a sporty configuration. Its tauter shock absorbers, stronger torsion bars and body-hugging chassis ensure that the body is always kept in step with the rhythm. The plentiful grip and absence of body roll give drivers the confidence to go faster around curves and bends. We reckon it's exactly this set-up that gives the C-Class Coupe a sportier behaviour than its four-door sibling.
The top-of-the-range C350 is powered by a refined 3.5-litre V6 powerplant that produces a peak of 306 horses and 370Nm of torque that enables the car to demolish the century sprint in just six seconds. The engine is a feisty thing that feels like it has a bigger displacement figure than what the paper suggests and it does live up to the expectations the aggressive looks (with AMG Sports Package) inspire.
The C-Class Coupe is responsive to throttle inputs, with its cogs changes well matched for the different occasion. It revs readily and firmly, emitting a rorty exhaust note that gives the coupe a certain sense of urgency. Floor the accelerator and the car literally shoots off the line, sending the needle on the tachometer to hit the 5,000 mark promptly. But the Sport mode takes it a level higher. Once enabled, the throttle response goes hyperactive and holds the revs longer while the transmission swops gears more aggressively, causing the already stirring exhaust note to become noisier but nicer.
On the tarmac, the two-door Merc handles well thanks to the Agility Control suspension which has a sporty configuration. Its tauter shock absorbers, stronger torsion bars and body-hugging chassis ensure that the body is always kept in step with the rhythm. The plentiful grip and absence of body roll give drivers the confidence to go faster around curves and bends. We reckon it's exactly this set-up that gives the C-Class Coupe a sportier behaviour than its four-door sibling.
The steering wheel, while racy-looking, could do with more weight. It's light when travelling at lower speeds or when moving out of the lot and gains a little more weight as the speed goes north. Still, it remains to be a tad too light even when driven enthusiastically on deserted tarmacs, limiting the feedback from the steering wheel.
Conclusion
With a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines to power the C-Class Coupe, customers are bound to be spoilt for choice. At a price of $263,888 (as of 18 Aug 2011) you don't have to be a millionaire to get one.
With a warmly created cabin and refine engine that mates perfectly with Mercedes-Benz's signature 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission, the C350 Coupe is just the right machine to attract a younger and bolder audience.
Buyers looking for a car with power to match its looks, you know where to get one...
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Conclusion
With a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines to power the C-Class Coupe, customers are bound to be spoilt for choice. At a price of $263,888 (as of 18 Aug 2011) you don't have to be a millionaire to get one.
With a warmly created cabin and refine engine that mates perfectly with Mercedes-Benz's signature 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission, the C350 Coupe is just the right machine to attract a younger and bolder audience.
Buyers looking for a car with power to match its looks, you know where to get one...
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
