- The new two-door companion to the C-Class sedan arrives in U.S. showrooms in September.
- U.S. variants include the 302-horsepower C350 and 201-hp C250.
- Mercedes-Benz says it is "consciously targeting new customers" with the four-passenger C-Class coupe.
GENEVA — Mercedes-Benz at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show will introduce its new C-Class Coupe, a two-door companion to the recently face-lifted C-Class sedan. The 2012 C250 and C250 coupes will arrive in U.S. showrooms in September.
The automaker confirmed nearly a year ago that it planned to offer the coupe in 2011. Unofficial images of the car leaked earlier this year on several European Web sites well ahead of the coupe's Geneva launch.
In a press release accompanying the official release of the C-Class Coupe, Mercedes-Benz said it is "consciously targeting new customers" with the four-passenger two-door, which shares much of the sedan's front-end sheet metal, but sits 1.5 inches lower and features more aggressive styling cues.
The only two U.S. models initially will be the C250, which has a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, and the C350, which is fitted with a normally aspirated 3.5-liter V6. The two direct-injection gasoline engines are mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.
The C250 makes 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet, with a 0-60 acceleration time of 7.1 seconds. EPA combined city/highway fuel economy is estimated at 24 mpg.
The C350 delivers 302 hp and 273 lb-ft, and sprints from zero to 60 in 5.8 seconds, with a combined EPA rating of 22 mpg.
The C-Class Coupes come with a flat-bottomed sport steering wheel and paddle shifters. The C250 gets aluminum trim, while C350 buyers can choose between standard burl walnut or optional ash olive matte.
Both cars also feature updated telematics, with Sirius weather, Google maps, Bluetooth audio streaming and a USB interface in the center armrest.
Available hardware include adaptive high-beam assist, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot assist, attention assist, parktronic with parking guidance and bi-xenon headlamps with active curve illumination.
Inside Line says: Mercedes-Benz manages to squeeze considerable juice from its new direct-injected turbo four. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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adrn_10 says:
12:02 PM, 03/02/2011
HONDA ACCORD COUPE!!!
sleepraver says:
06:00 AM, 03/01/2011
Love it!
carpaul1 says:
01:53 AM, 02/14/2011
Not a bad looking coupe, but something about its side profile looking from the rear just is not right. I am not sure what it is. I agree with some posters, there is a bit of Accord coupe in there somewhere. To my eyes, just not as sexy a profile as a BMW 3 series coupe, or a Mustang. May be because it still looks too much like the sedan. But the sedan is a gorgeously proportioned small car, better looking than the 3 series sedan. It just goes to show, Mercedes doesn't really get the small coupe market.
I actually like the smaller engines. America needs small sized efficient engines, and Audi has proven turbo-charged small engines sell, and Koreans have judged right, small efficient 4 cylinder and turbo-charged engines, are the new mainstream engines. In most American cities, where these things will be driven, you can not go as fast as even the turbo-charged powerplants allow you.
And ahh, the interior is gorgeous.
kkear3 says:
07:14 AM, 02/12/2011
I like the sedan better. And how many people other than a few car nuts wants a stick shift transmission, much less know how to drive stick. Those few car nuts usually buy BMW 3-series or rice burners.
m89 says:
11:11 PM, 02/11/2011
@ coolb944 -
I was hoping that MB would offer the 6-speed manual in the C250 as well, however it's likely not going to happen - at least initially.
I looked at MB's Germany website and the new C250 sedan (coupe isn't online yet of course but the 2012 sedan is) and even the new 2012 SLK250 are only offered with the 7-speed auto.
The only trim levels of the new C-Class that will be offered with a 6-speed manual are the C180 and C200 in Europe - which are basically the same engine with lowered boost and lower outputs (for lower price of entry).
The current C300 is available with a 6-speed manual (RWD only), however because the engine will only be available with 4MATIC in 2012 - that will mean the end of the manual option. The C350 hasn't had an available 6-speed manual since the last generation ended in 2007.
I really was hoping that MB will offer a 6-speed manual in the C250 coupe at the very least, however even in Europe (who are more apt to select a manual over an automatic) they don't have it available, so I doubt it'll happen here.
Still, I really like the new C-Class a lot and it's more than likely going to be my next car purchase in a year or so to replace my trusty 91 300E.
jscion says:
07:11 PM, 02/11/2011
This is the first Mercedes I've seen in a long time that I've actually really liked. Definately nice!!! Sure, it does resemble a Honda Accord that ate a Scion tC but so what, it looks good. I like the design language of the front fascia Mercedes is using lately. Big improvement over the bland designs they've been churning out this past decade!
coolb944 says:
04:48 PM, 02/11/2011
Seems no one at Inside Line or Edmunds looked closely at the images before making contact with the Mercedes-Benz rep. Only the 7-speed autos are mentioned, but there's clearly a 6-speed manual in two of those images. Mercedes-Benz currently offers the C300 and I think also the C350 with a 6-speed, so I have no doubt they'll offer it on at least the C250 as well, as this is after all supposed to be a SPORT luxury coupe. I'd happily get a C250 with 6-speed man and sport package. That would be a FUN drive! I currently have a CC with the 2.0T and 6-speed man, and that car is plenty quick for me, so I'd foresee the 1.8T with a 6-speed being no different. Plus, the gas mileage with these smaller engines is really nice at the pump. I don't have to fill up as often, and can go longer on more while lacking little in performance. My previous car had the old MB 3.2L V6, and definitely slurped the gas, if not guzzled, so these new engine schemes have merit.
musicday says:
11:45 AM, 02/11/2011
I actually really like this. It def has elements of the previous generation of the 3 series especially the c pillar but it still looks like a cross between the CLK and the new C class for the most part. Not crazy about the engine offerings though... Really? a 1.8 L turbo making just 200 horses? It's going to be embarassing being passed by just about anything on the road... They should have at least gone with a 2.0 L turbo or 2.0 L biturbo with at least 235 hp. This car will probably weigh at least 3500 lbs. They need more power. The 3.5 L CGI is more like it. Even though again they are lacking in terms of power. The infiniti has a more powerful engine than that and so does the 3 series.
In terms of looks, I'd say this is the best in its class. It looks better than the BMW 3 series coupe, the audi A4, the horrid lexus IS coupe and the Infiniti G37. I see no resemblance between this and the accord. People need glasses I think.
Also somebody said that Hyundai gets 73 more horses with 200cc more. Yeah it also happens to have a twin scroll turbo developed by Mitusbishi a while ago for the EVO which pretty much equals a twin turbo. So big surprise it makes more power...
m89 says:
11:08 AM, 02/11/2011
@ isend2c -
It's nothing to do with being junky or poor engineering. Mercedes is very conservative with their engines in general as they are always concerned with long term reliability.
I also know from talking to an MB employee about a year ago that Daimler was very hesistant at offereing Direct Injection in their North American applications originally because of our fuel quality. In Europe, their gasoline has less sulfur than our gasoline and sulfur poses a great deal of risk on GDI engines because they don't have the same engine cleansing abilities that port injection offers.
In fact, many DI engines that were released a few years ago are now having engine problems due to excessive carbon buildup. Google online and you'll find many forums discussing this. Interestingly enough, the DI engine in the Lexus IS has an injector port as well as a direct injector built in to combat this problem.
Therefore, that's why Mercedes is very conservative with their DI engines as they want to ensure that the engine will be reliable in the long term. Even their port injected engines typically are conservative as well.
I can't say whether the Hyundai engines will be as reliable, as only time will tell. I'll definitely be interested to see how they fare over the long term.
Still, in general, every automaker is generally conservative with their engines to ensure long term reliability. If you look at VW's 2.0L direct injected TSI engine it produces power numbers that are about the same as MB's new 1.8L turbo for likely the same reasons. VW has been able to up the boost and get numbers as high as Hyundai's 2.0T, however I imagine they have to make some alterations to ensure it will be as durable as the standard 2.0T.
delraylocal says:
10:01 AM, 02/11/2011
It looks like a Honda Accord.
Lame!