Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe video review

WHAT IS IT?

HERE’S the latest in a long line of Mercedes-Benz C-Class-based coupes, banishing dumpy sedan-like lines, for a silhouette that is slinky and striking enough to star in any rapper music video.

Yet, despite all the new-found bling, Mercedes reckons this is also one of the sportiest in its class, and is more than ready to take on the popular BMW 4 Series Coupe, as well as the Audi A5, Lexus RC, and Infiniti Q60.

That’s a big call. Let’s see if this high-spec C300 Coupe can cut the mustard.

ON PAPER

Right now there are four C-Class Coupe models available in Australia. The cheapest is the C200 Coupe, kicking off from $65,900.

It’s powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder direct-injected turbo petrol engine, pumping out 135kW of and 300Nm of torque to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission.

If that sounds a bit humdrum, consider that it can propel the C200 to 100 kays in 7.3 seconds, yet still average 6L/100km.

But if that’s not enough, there’s the car we’re driving – the C300 Coupe from $83,400. Using a tuned version of the same 2.0-litre engine making 180kW and 370Nm, it slices 1.3 seconds off the sprint time to 100.

And if that’s still not fast enough, there’s always the AMG 63 S Coupe, with a 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 stuffed beneath that sleek bonnet.

Smashing out 375kW and 700Nm, it only needs 3.9s to streak past 100km/h. Look out BMW M4!! But at $162,400, that’s almost $100K more than the base C200.

Oh, and if economy’s your thing, there’s always the C250d Coupe, using a 150kW/500Nm 2.1-litre four-pot turbo-diesel and a nine-speed 9G-Tronic dual-clutch transmission. And it’s not even slow either, at 6.7s to 100…

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Style is everything with this latest C-Class Coupe. The previous one, released in 2011, was great to drive but looked a bit awkward proportionally. This time around, Mercedes stretched the wheelbase and widened the tracks, to give it a far more attractive appearance.

And isn’t this the main reason why people buy coupes? Better still, the C-Class Coupe’s newfound length and girth helps in two more very important ways – extra interior space, and more dynamic pace.

PLUS AND MINUS:

PACKAGING
(+)
Lots of space
Great seats
Ambience
Technology – Semi Autonomous
Foot-operated boot release

(–)
Roofline reduces rear head room
Fiddly controller
Confusing multimedia
A tad claustrophobic back seat

DYNAMICS
(+)
Strong performance
Beautifully weighted steering
Excellent handling, really chuckable
Commanding control

(–)
4-pot turbo doesn’t sound premium – a bit raucous at revs
Sluggish in Comfort, jerky in Sport
DCT hesitation annoying
Ride is never settled – too roly in Comfort, too firm in Sport

VERDICT

The new C-Class Coupe rights the wrongs of the previous model with towering effectiveness, and should be a devastating blow to Audi and BMW.

It really does look like an S-Class Coupe – and that starts at $330K!

But in the rapid and dynamic C300 Coupe as tested here, the engine just doesn’t sound refined enough, it can feel jerky at low speeds, and the ride is too busy for something that is meant to be a classy GT.

Actually, the same can be said about all of the Mercedes competitors right now anyway, so you may as well look good putting up with that stuff!