EVOLUTION sports package with light-alloy rims and sports suspension
Stuttgart – The new C-class is still in the news: just four months after the start of series production of the saloon version, Mercedes-Benz is now presenting a further, quite distinct model – the C-class sports coupé. This attractive two-door model will be displayed to the public for the first time at the Paris Motor Show on 28 September this year.
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“The name Sports Coupé really sums up what this fascinating car is all about,” said Professor Jürgen Hubbert, Board Member of DaimlerChrysler AG and responsible for the Mercedes-Benz Passenger Car Division. “As a two-door car, it underlines the dynamic and progressive nature of the C-class particularly clearly, while its youthful appearance sets new trends for sporty, exciting driving with the high standards of engineering typical of Mercedes.”
Temperament, performance and youthful charm can, quite literally, be seen in the face of the C-class sports coupé: the louvred radiator grille so typical of the brand, with the three-pointed star in the middle, clearly identifies the two-door car as a member of the Mercedes sports car club.
The even more striking, elliptical shape of the four front headlights and the powerful proportions of the bodywork also characterise the sports coupé, which is thus established as the youngster in the Mercedes-Benz C-class family, taking a quite distinct position alongside the saloon.
Cutting-edge design with practical advantages for distinctive rear end
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By GlobalDataA further characteristic feature of the completely re-worked coupé design is the high rear end with its integrated spoiler and the dark tinted panel between the rear lights. The Mercedes styling team have intentionally sent a clear message with these distinctive lines, in order to emphasise even more the dynamic, state-of-the-art character of their new two-door model and to strengthen awareness for the sports coupé.
Practical requirements were even more important than formal ones when it came to defining the shape of the car’s rear end. In the interests of driving safety, the high edge of the coupé’s rear spoiler enables a powerful dynamic downforce to be imposed on the rear axle, while the intriguingly designed panel also serves as a window, thus giving the driver exceptionally good rear visibility, particularly for a coupé – and especially when parking.
New panoramic sliding sunroof for plenty of fresh air and light in the interior
A brighter interior and a unique open-air experience are the benefits to be gained from the optionally available panoramic sliding sunroof. From the front windscreen through to the rear spoiler, everything is glass. Just press a button, and the front half of the roof glides towards the rear, leaving a roof opening that is about a third larger than a conventional sunroof. And because the front part of the panoramic sliding sunroof slides along the outside of the car, it doesn’t affect the passengers’ headroom. Two electrically operated roller blinds on the inside shield the coupé’s interior from the sun when the sunroof is closed.
Compact dimensions but plenty of space for four passengers
The new model’s powerful and dynamic appearance is also largely due to its compact dimensions, together with a suspension which is 10mm lower than the saloon’s. The sports coupé is 4343mm long, and thus 183mm shorter than the C-class saloon while its height, at 1406mm, is 20mm lower. And yet the two-door version still has plenty of space for four passengers. The driver and front-seat passenger have contoured sports seats with good lateral support, while elbowroom, legroom and headroom, as well as the adjustable range of the seats, are almost as generous as in the saloon. The two rear seats are asymmetrically divided and can be folded forward either individually or together, thus increasing the maximum loadspace volume to 1100 litres. The tailgate makes easy work of loading this spacious luggage area.
High-quality trim elements made of aluminium, a three-spoke steering wheel with illuminated control buttons for the car radio, telephone and other functions, as well as the sporty styling of the cockpit, set the tone in the interior. The optimum ergonomics ensure that the interior “fits like a glove”. The driver has all the instruments at his or her fingertips – an important factor for safe, dynamic driving.
EVOLUTION sports package for drivers who hanker for even more sportiness
Equipped as it is with the same innovative engineering as is to be found in the saloon, the C-class sports coupé is the ideal vehicle for some lively and enjoyable driving – even more so, when fitted with the EVOLUTION sports package which, apart from 17 inch light-alloy rims, offers wider tyres of size 225/40 R 17 (front and rear), a lowered sports suspension, a leather sports steering wheel and further high-quality equipment accessories to bring the sporty qualities of the new two-door Mercedes clearly to the fore.
New C230 KOMPRESSOR with a top speed of up to 240 km/h
State-of-the-art four-cylinder engines with true high performance potential are what drive the sports coupé. With the high-torque 2.3 litre engine (145 kW/197 hp) already familiar from the SLK Roadster, the new C230 KOMPRESSOR sprints from 0 to 100km/h in just eight seconds and can reach a top speed of 240 km/h. Also in the engine range are the 120 kW/163 hp 2.0 litre mechanically supercharged engine, the four-cylinder engine from the C180 (95 kW/129 hp) and the 2.2 litre CDI engine with Common Rail direct injection, which has a power output of 105 kW/143 hp and a fuel consumption of just
6.2 litres/100 km (NEDC overall consumption, provisional figures).
Electronic gear changes with the new SEQUENTRONIC
A further new development to make its debut in the C-class sports coupé is the optionally available automated six-speed gearbox, SEQUENTRONIC. The dynamic driving experience is enhanced still further by its fast, agile and precise gear changes, whilst fuel consumption is actually reduced. The driver’s intention to change gear is communicated to the gearbox by electrical impulses, making mechanical linkages and the clutch pedal superfluous. A light tap on the shift lever is all that is needed for the system to declutch, change gear and engage the clutch again. In automatic mode, the SEQUENTRONIC system makes life easier for the driver, since it changes gear (on its own) according to the particular driving situation.
Innovative ideas as standard – from the windowbag to the headlamp distance regulator
All the technical innovations that have already made the saloon version of the C-class such a trendsetter have also found their way into the sports coupé – everything from the windowbag to the Electronic Stability Program ESP®,, from the adaptive driver and passenger side airbags to the headlamp distance regulator. The COMAND control and display system with dynamic route guidance, the voice-activated LINGUATRONIC system for the telephone and car radio, the automatic climate control system THERMOTRONIC with sensor controls and active charcoal filter, sophisticated telematics services and many other innovations from the top models in the Mercedes-Benz range are among the further options available.
The C-class sports coupé will be available in the UK from spring next year. Prices and specification are yet to be finalised.
