At a price close to £30k Mercedes is coming out with a second sports coupe model in the form of the C-Class. Expected time for the car to become a market reality is around June.
The model is expected to give competition to the BMW 3-Series coupe models as well as to the Audi makes. These two have been dominating the market ever since the CLK model had dropped out in 2009.
The platform that the C-Class coupe from Mercedes has been made up from is the same as that of the revised C-Class saloon. By dimension therefore the car is 4590 mm long. However the roofline is lower by 41 mm which makes it look a lot look sleeker.
This new styling of the car, consisting of a rising beltline and the distinct “upsweep” at the base of the third window gives a sporty look as well as enhances the shoulders of the coupe, as company sources revealed.
The car would also feature the AMG Sports package that has a lowered suspension along with 18 inch alloys and body kit. There is also a possibility of the launch of an AMG range-topper model somewhere in September with the debut taking place in April.
The power plant of the coupe is expected to be a 418 bhp 5.5 litre non-turbo V8 while the four doors would have the 6.2 V8 unit.
Two more diesel engines and three petrol ones would also be launched by the company by the time the coupe is ready for its launch in June. The entry level C180 would have a 152 bhp four cylinder 1.8 petrol equipped with a six speed manual gearbox. For the 302 bhp 350 CGI V6 fit the cost would go up to £38k.
The other options one would get are the 220CDI, 197 bhp 250CDi and a 197 bhp 250CGi, with a new seven-speed auto optional. The C-Class and the E-Class coupes therefore would be fitted with the same engine and it would be worth a watch on how these shape up in time.
There would be a slightly constricted space factor in case of the C-Class given the engine fit. It would also be cheaper by around £1k. The boot size however would be same in both cases.
However, if the interior design is changed to resemble the E-class then even the constricted space factor would not exist. Mercedes hopes to attract different age groups with their variety in models. The C-Class for the 35 to 45 year olds, while the E-Class for a more mature audience.
Source: autocar
