NEW Like its predecessor, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class W205 gives birth to a coupe. Strangely, it must be satisfied at first four-cylinder engines.
The abandonment of the CLK, which stood halfway between the C-Class and E enabled Mercedes-Benz to redistribute the cards in its range. If the E-Class Coupé has logically found its historical place, this repositioning also enabled the smaller C-Class to bring forth a body with two doors . The previous generation (W204) had opened the ball, the current (W205) follows suit, half a year after its launch.
Germanic rigor obliges the manufacturer to the Etoile took over this new version for the same revenue as the previous generation . The C-Class loses two doors and wins a sleeker line in the operation, although it retains its central pillar. Exclusive forces, the E-Class Coupe and S-Class Coupe retain the prerogative of fully retractable side windows. The new C-Class nevertheless entitled to doors without top management , refinement that was denied to the previous version. At the rear, this newcomer is inspired by the big S-Class This gives more presence to this new generation, which no longer ashamed to face the Audi A5, BMW and four other Lexus RC.
Inside, the differentiation with the sedan is more tenuous. Should we complain? The C-Class Coupé takes effect in every feature of the board edge already known , very well finished and elegant lines. The center console, more enveloping, however, is new, as well as door trims. At the rear, two passengers can only find room. The Coupe is no different from the sedan by different equipment: the options are the same, notably including adaptive cruise control, active lane-keeping or automatic high beam.
It is ultimately under the hood that some may remain unsatisfied. Indeed, this cut must be content initially of four-cylinder engines and is not entitled to V6 sedan or its hybrid engines. In essence, there is a 1.6 turbo 156 hp (180 C) or a 2.0 turbo, available in three power ratings: 184 hp (200 C), 211 hp (C 250) and 245 hp (C 300). In diesel, it’s always the famous OM651 engine officiating in two power ratings: 170 HP (C 220d) and 204 hp (C 250d). Note that these two Diesel versions are available with 4MATIC as well as the C 200. All these models can have the seven-speed automatic transmission, which is an option on both the less powerful versions come standard with a manual six-speed gearbox.
Mercedes-Benz C 300 Coupe (Frankfurt 2015). Image © Mercedes-Benz
It’s at the IAA that Mercedes-Benz will unveil the world premiere its new C-Class Coupé Commercialization is scheduled for less than December at an unknown rate. No doubt that the AMG should result very quickly look into the cradle of this new model, to make it a worthy competitor of BMW M4, Lexus RC F and Audi RS5.