2016 Mercedes C-Class Coupe spy pics

The next-gen Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe nears completion on its way to this September's Frankfurt motor show, and like the sedan, it's a mini S-Class

NEAR production-ready images of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe keep coming on stream, in preparation for its September IAA Frankfurt motor show debut, showing more slinky styling details than ever before.

Significantly swoopier than the existing four-year old design, the C205 series is shaping up to be a scaled-down version of the seriously sexy S-Class Coupe (C217) that surfaced last year, complete with an almost fastback-style silhouette and sweetly sculptured rear-end treatment.

After the relative two-door sedan dumpiness of what's currently on offer, the Stuttgart product planners have clearly decided that a more rakish form is required to take on the successful Audi A5 and BMW 4 Series coupes.

Interestingly, the new C-Class Coupe appears to adopt the frameless doors like its Bavarian rival, though it isn't pillarless like the outgoing C207 E-Class Coupe that this car may also replace in the overall Benz line-up. We’ll have to wait and see how that transpires.Like the W205 sedan range on which it is derived from, the C-Class Coupe's underpinnings are built on Mercedes' versatile modular rear-drive architecture, and will include most of the downsized direct-injection four-cylinder and V6 turbo units servicing the Three Pointed Star. The latter engine configuration will most likely be usurped by the long-awaited return of the in-line six-pot petrol engine family set to debut in the next-gen W213 E-Class in 2016, though exactly when the C-Class range get it is still anybody's guess.Furthermore, and as scooped by us last month, the Germans are expected to also wheel out a C63 AMG powerhouse version, brandishing the hammerhead M177 375kW/700Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8/seven-speed dual-clutch transmission combo to give the BMW M4 a real run for its money.

The A205 ragtop convertible version of the C205 Coupe is also waiting in the wings, probably in time for the Paris motor show in September next year, completing the rollcall of current-gen C-Class models.

Pricing should mirror that of the existing C204 Coupe, meaning from about $60,000 to $160K for the C63 AMG version.

Have spy pics of your own? We'd love to see them. Just email them to wheels@bauertrader.com.au

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