2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS COUPE

[marwan25]

t to square off against the BMW 3-Series Coupe and the Infiniti G37 Coupe, the C-Class will be available in two flavors when it goes on sale in the United States in September. A hot rod C63 AMG version will follow shortly thereafter.

A 201-horsepower C250 will be the base offering in North America. Powered by the automaker’s new 1.8-liter direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder, the engine puts out 229 lb-ft. of torque across a relatively broad 2,200 to 4,300 rpm band. Mercedes estimates that it will hit 60 mph in 7.1 seconds before topping out at 130 mph. Fuel economy should check in at around 24 mpg combined and 30 mpg on the highway.

Buyers who choose to step up will find that the C350 uses Mercedes-Benz’s ubiquitous 3.5-liter V6, which puts out 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft. of torque in this application. The automaker says that 60 mph ticks by in 5.9 seconds and that the car should average about 22 mpg combined.

Both engines are mated to seven-speed automatic transmissions.

Styling impressions
The C-Class Coupe’s front fascia nearly mirrors its revised-for-2012 sedan sibling, but the biggest changes occur aft of the A-pillar. Wide doors give way to an elongated tail with a gently-sloping roofline. A kink in at the end of the rear window in the beltline looks positively Bavarian and unlike anything Mercedes-Benz has ever offered.

From the rear, the look is again borrowed from the coupe with swept-back tail lamps and a faux diffuser.

Inside, the C-Class coupe diverges from the sedan by offering decidedly aggressive-looking front sports seats for both the front and rear passengers.

Sporty drive
Given the coupe’s sporty style and sporty interior, it would be a waste if Mercedes-Benz didn’t upgrade the car’s chassis. The automaker’s Agility Control tuning features a unique amplitude-dependent damping system that helps cut down on road noise with no detriment to handling.

A three-link front axle with MacPherson struts and multi-link rear axle with five control arms ensures that the C-Coupe moves down the road confidently.

Of course, Mercedes-Benz’s full complement of alphabet soup-like safety features will also be standard, including its Attention Assist, Active High Beam Assist, and ESP. Options will include Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist, which help ensure that the coupe stays where its driver intends it to be.

Look for pricing and equipment specifications to be announced later this year as Mercedes-Benz gears up for North American sales of its new entry-level coupe.