Reviews
Gallery 1
Plenty of C sensibilities mixed with an extra dose of driving verve make for an enjoyable two-door that’s also sensibly priced.
WHAT IS IT? The two-door version of Mercedes-Benz’s top selling car, the C-Class sedan. Based on the C-Class four-door that arrived in 2014, it is the second-generation model, codenamed C205.
WHY WE’RE TESTING IT The C Coupe has just arrived in Australia and we were keen to give it a spin on familiar roads. While it’s the C63 AMG we can’t wait to get our hands on, for now we’re limited to a taste test of the non-AMG models; the C200, C250d and C300.
MAIN RIVALS BMW 4-Series, Audi A5, Lexus RC.
PLUS: Sharp pricing and decent equipment; rorty 2.0 turbo for C300; ride on Airmatic suspension; sleek design MINUS: Steering not as sharp as other dynamic aspects; C200 and C250d drivetrains aren’t particularly sporty; it’s a decent step up to C300.
THE WHEELS REVIEW Same wheelbase, same length, same width but 60kg more metal. Oh, and you pay more for it.
Like many two-doors, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe doesn’t start with the best sales pitch, although the brochure has glossy images of the elegant “diamond grille” and the sleek S-Class-Coupe-esque rump.
The AMG boffins have also chipped in with the suspension tune, diluting some of the cushiony ride of the C and injecting more cornering nous to liven things up.
Under the bonnet it’s pure C sedan, with a choice of three grades: C200, C250d and C300. There’s also the C63 AMG, which we’ll sample another day.
The petrol engines will account for the bulk of Coupe sales, with the tempting $65,900 price tag on the C200 key to its appeal. It’s no stripper, either. There’s electric seats with memory functionality, sat-nav, LED headlights, digital radio and 18-inch hoops.
Less convincing is the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. The flexible 300Nm defines its character, with loads of muscle around 3000rpm. Rev it towards its 6300rpm cutout and the 135kW is less convincing, a tad overwhelmed by the 1450kg it has to shift. Forget audible excellence, too; this engine is more about getting the job done.
Less impressive are the gear shifts in Sport+ mode, with a full-throttle jerkiness that seems to bring little accelerative benefit.
Sport and Sport+ also add much needed weight to the steering, for added confidence. However, the steering doesn’t have the alacrity to match the rest of the car. While its ratio is quicker than that of C four-doors, an even shorter ratio would be more in keeping with the sleek personality.
Similarly, the 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel (150kW/500Nm) has near-instant right foot force, but it’s more cruising effortlessness than dashing from corner to corner.
Inside, as with the sedan, simplicity and quality combine to deliver a cabin that exceeds its price tag. From the cool touch metal finishes on everything from the speaker grilles to the air vents to the warm matte wood dash inserts.
Indeed luxury is a large part of the sporty Coupe. The C200 and C250d, in particular, are more about getting there in style. But the C300 is a more convincing rorty sporty.
Coupe changes
The Coupe’s front seats sit 14mm lower than those in the sedan, and it makes a noticeable difference, combined with higher window sills to create a more cocooned feel. Other Coupe changes include standard AMG-spec suspension and a quicker steering rack. Visually, apart from the coupe roofline, it’s all about the “diamond grille”.
SPECS Model: Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe Engine: 1991cc 4cyl turbo Max power: 180kW @ 5500rpm Max torque: 370Nm @ 1300-4000rpm Transmission: 7-speed auto Kerb weight: 1490kg 0-100km/h: 6.0sec Price: $83,400 On sale: Now
