mercedes benz c-class coupe

Mercedes benz relaesed the all-new C-Class Coupe's place in Mercedes history takes a bit of work. Merc doesn't - ardently doesn't - want you to think of it as the new CLC. That clunker, launched in 2008, was a parts-bin update of the decade-old C-Class Sports Coupe, a poor man's rival to the 1-Series. The new C-Class Coupe is bigger, more expensive, and a genuine two-door coupe rather than a three-door hatch.
So it's not the new CLC. The new CLK? Closer, but not quite. The CLK was more or less replaced by last year's larger, pricier E-Class Coupe. If you've got bootlid letters swimming before your eyes right now, you're not alone.

Maybe this is sensible thinking from Mercedes-Benz: BMW shifted nearly 6,000 3-Series Coupes last year; the A5 has been a fat sales success for Audi. However, by squaring straight up to the two instead of shuffling in the gaps, the C-Coupe has nowhere to hide. Do it right, or take a beating.

No surprise, then, that Merc has made a thorough job of this conversion. The coupe may share a platform and engines with the C-Class saloon, but only one body panel is carried over: the bonnet. The rest of the metal is new: the coupe's roofline is four centimetres lower than that of the saloon, the windscreen raked back more steeply.

The interior is a lovely place to be, with a dark soft-touch dashboard broken up by a white ‘porcelain’ or carbon fibre swathe of trim. There’s a new three-spoke sports steering wheel with a chrome central strip and the instrument binnacle now extends over the centrally mounted sat-nav and information screen. We found the seats supportive and particularly hugging in the C 63 AMG version.

There’s no bad choice in the petrol engine line-up, which ranges from a 156bhp, 1.8-litre turbo petrol up to the 6.2-litre hand-built AMG engine with 457bhp. We drove both and found the entry-level 1.8-litre good to drive, despite its low power. Zero to 62mph in 9 seconds is just OK, but it’s the rorty and smooth way the engine delivers which makes it enjoyable. With around three times the power, the AMG C-Class Coupe is a true performance car to rival the BMW M3 Coupe and Audi RS 5. It actually beats both to 62mph, taking 4.5 seconds. Two diesel engines are offered, with 170 and 204bhp and impressive pulling power. Both have twin turbochargers and give smooth, refined performance likely to prove exceptionally popular in the UK.

The C Class models provide the utmost comfort for front occupants, but those in back, even if they can get in, will be left wedging their legs against the back of the front seats whether you're looking at the sedan or coupe. In all fairness, when looking at rival models like the Audi A4 or BMW 3-Series, that's just how it is in this class. You do tend to hear the engine a bit, but road noise is hushed much better in the C Class models than in other small sport sedans.

Mercedes-Benz continues to sell the C Class in two main trim lines, Luxury and Sport, which get a number of details that can give them a dramatically different look. If you're unsure between these two lines, choose first by appearance, as within the basic feature set of each you can otherwise pick and choose options to build whatever you want. Standard equipment even on the base C250 includes dual-zone automatic climate control; Bluetooth hands-free calling; Bluetooth audio streaming; cruise control, a HomeLink universal garage-door opener; and a power tilt/sliding sunroof.

facts about mercedes benz c-class coupe

Merdeces-Benz C220 CDI Coupé

Tested: 2,143cc, turbodiesel four-cylinder, seven-speed automatic gearbox, rear-wheel drive

Price/on sale: from £32,580/now

Power/torque: 168bhp @ 3,000rpm/295lb ft @ 1,400rpm

Top speed: 143mph

Acceleration: 0-62mph in 8.1sec

Fuel economy: 55.4mpg (Combined)

CO2 emissions: 139g/km

VED band: E (£110 per year)

Verdict: Good looking and pleasant to drive, the C-class Coupé, especially in diesel form, is a thoroughly likeable car.

Telegraph verdict: Four out of five stars