First things first: The coupe is dead sexy. While some of the latest designs emerging from the Mercedes-Benz drawing board seem somewhat forced, this thing has plenty of flow and more than its fair share of sheer muscular beauty.
Of course, the sedan version is no plate of chopped liver, either. But the coupe benefits from a lower profile, panoramic sunroof, aggressive body kit and beautifully shaped C-pillar (appropriate, no?) that directs the eye from the rear window towards the back of the car. It’s really something—but this beauty is more than skin deep.
But let’s step back a moment before falling too deeply in love. Let’s clear our heads here —because the question on the minds of every small German luxury/sport coupe/sedan-loving person is this: Does the C-Class perform as well as the BMW 3 Series? For the uninitiated, the 3 Series is the acknowledged leader in its segment and has been for a long time now.
During that time, all the other manufacturers daring to compete head-to-heard with BMW in this segment — in alphabetical order, Acura, Audi, Cadillac, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lexus, Saab and Volvo —have fallen short for one reason or another. More often than not, that reason links back to driving dynamics.
When this version of the C-Class was introduced in 2007, it immediately jumped up to the number two spot in the segment. And with this latest revision, it’s edged closer still to the benchmark. Sure, the purists will bemoan the fact that the C-Class cannot be ordered with a manual transmission. But in terms of sheer fun behind the wheel, there’s now little to choose between the two German cars.
The coupe is available in a number of different configurations ranging from the mild to the extra-spicy; the fleet consists of the C 250, C 350, C 63 AMG and C 63 AMG Black Series. During a drive event held in and around Portland, I had the opportunity to test the first two. While the 250 and 350 may reside on the milder side of the sliding C-Coupe scale, they still have enough going for them to keep the driving enthusiast well and truly entertained.
The C 350 in particular. Powered by an all-new V6 engine that produces 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, this version of the coupe is one swift performer with an estimated 0-100 km/h time of just six seconds. To top it off, this engine boasts a 10% gain in fuel efficiency over the previous C-Class V6.
The C 350 Coupe also features a dynamic handling package as standard equipment. With the flick of a switch, this offering transforms the car from a suburban commuter to a real road-gripper. The package includes speed-sensitive steering, crisper accelerator response and gear shifts, and a suspension system that adjusts to the road surface continuously and automatically.
The net result is a car that delivers weighted steering, intuitive handling, and very good feedback through the steering wheel and the seat. The transmission, albeit an automatic, is a 7-speed automatic armed with technology that improves the gear-swapping process with each new generation (although the gear indicator on the instrument panel needs to be easier to read.) And the standard 18-inch wheel/tire comb platter puts plenty of rubber to the road.
So, should the fine people at BMW be concerned? Quick answer: Yeah, a little bit, because the next iteration of the C-Class could well be the one that assumes the lead.
The other big news with respect to this new model is the vastly improved interior. In the past, Mercedes has been accused of “cheaping out” on its less expensive models, using inferior materials but sill positioning the cars in the luxury class. While this criticism may have been deserved before, it’s no longer relevant with respect to the C 350 Coupe.
The interior is far more pleasing from a visual and a tactile standpoint. The new, flat-bottomed steering wheel alone looks like it costs a cool grand more than the previous model’s rudder. The navigation screen is more effectively integrated into the dash. The individual trim pieces are more curvaceous and better matched to each other. Overall, it’s a huge improvement and one that certainly fits with the brand image.
By this point, you may be asking yourself, what does all this automotive excellence cost? Well, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C 250 rings in at a smile-inducing $39,900, while the more powerful and admittedly more exciting C 350 tips the scales at $49,200. Anyone in the market for a truly stylish sports coupe needs to give this one a closer look.
Source: Toro Magazine
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