Just in time for the arrival of the much-improved C-class sedan, Mercedes-Benz Canada has announced that it will also import a coupe version of that model range in about a year.
"Visually distinctive and noticeably smaller than both the C-class sedan and the highly successful Mercedes-Benz CLK coupe line, the C-class sports coupe will make its first public appearance at the upcoming Paris Auto Show on September 28," says Jo Anne Caza, Mercedes-Benz Canada's marketing chief.
The Americans have promised that the new model, which gets the supercharged 2.3-litre engine from the SLK roadster, should be priced under $30,000 when it arrives there next year, but Caza says it is too early to project a Canadian MSRP. One thing you can count on is that, while the coupe may be smaller than its sedan sibling, it's not likely to have a similarly-sized sticker.
"The name sports coupe really sums up what this fascinating car is all about," says Jurgen Hubbert, board member of DaimlerChrysler AG 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."
The most striking visual aspect of the C-class coupe is undoubtedly the long section of glass that runs from the A-pillar to almost the top of the trunk, which also of course describes the arc of the roof.
Caza says the C-class coupe is also "distinguished by its high rear end with an integrated spoiler-which provides aerodynamic downforce for extra stability at cruising speeds-and a tinted panel between the rear lights. "In addition, a three-pointed star in the grille clearly identifies the two-door coupe as one of the sportier members of the Mercedes-Benz family."
The C-class sports coupe is about 180 mm shorter than its sedan sibling, Caza reports, and the coupe is about 12 mm lower as well. She is quick to add that "Legroom, headroom, and elbowroom, as well as the adjustment range of the seats, are nearly as generous as in the sedan."
Caza says, "The driver and front passenger have contoured sports seats with extra lateral support, while the two rear seats are asymmetrically divided and can be folded forward either individually or together, to increase cargo volume to 1100 liters. Low liftover height makes easy work of loading this spacious luggage area."
The styling of the cockpit is meant to be sporty, Caza says, so it's "accented by high-quality aluminum trim and a three-spoke steering wheel with illuminated control buttons for the car radio, telephone and other functions."
The panel between the taillights is as a window, Caza points out, "which gives the driver extra visibility to the rear, which is especially helpful when parking. The new sports coupe will also be available with an optional panorama sliding sunroof. From the front windshield to the rear spoiler, nearly everything is glass."
For an extra outdoor experience, Caza says, "Just press a button, and the front half of the roof glides over the rear, leaving a roof opening that is about a third larger than a conventional sunroof. And because the front part of the panorama sunroof slides over the outside of the car, it doesn't reduce headroom."
To deal with the sun when you don't want to expose yourself to it, the C-class coupe comes with two electrically-operated roller blinds on the inside that shade the interior from the sun when the roof is closed.
"All the technical innovations that will make the new C-Class sedan such a trendsetter in Canada have also found their way into the sports coupe," says Caza, including curtain side airbags and the ESP stability system, the optional COMAND integrated display with GPS navigation, and an enhanced Tele Aid system.
"Visually distinctive and noticeably smaller than both the C-class sedan and the highly successful Mercedes-Benz CLK coupe line, the C-class sports coupe will make its first public appearance at the upcoming Paris Auto Show on September 28," says Jo Anne Caza, Mercedes-Benz Canada's marketing chief.
The Americans have promised that the new model, which gets the supercharged 2.3-litre engine from the SLK roadster, should be priced under $30,000 when it arrives there next year, but Caza says it is too early to project a Canadian MSRP. One thing you can count on is that, while the coupe may be smaller than its sedan sibling, it's not likely to have a similarly-sized sticker.
"The name sports coupe really sums up what this fascinating car is all about," says Jurgen Hubbert, board member of DaimlerChrysler AG 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."
The most striking visual aspect of the C-class coupe is undoubtedly the long section of glass that runs from the A-pillar to almost the top of the trunk, which also of course describes the arc of the roof.
Caza says the C-class coupe is also "distinguished by its high rear end with an integrated spoiler-which provides aerodynamic downforce for extra stability at cruising speeds-and a tinted panel between the rear lights. "In addition, a three-pointed star in the grille clearly identifies the two-door coupe as one of the sportier members of the Mercedes-Benz family."
The C-class sports coupe is about 180 mm shorter than its sedan sibling, Caza reports, and the coupe is about 12 mm lower as well. She is quick to add that "Legroom, headroom, and elbowroom, as well as the adjustment range of the seats, are nearly as generous as in the sedan."
Caza says, "The driver and front passenger have contoured sports seats with extra lateral support, while the two rear seats are asymmetrically divided and can be folded forward either individually or together, to increase cargo volume to 1100 liters. Low liftover height makes easy work of loading this spacious luggage area."
The styling of the cockpit is meant to be sporty, Caza says, so it's "accented by high-quality aluminum trim and a three-spoke steering wheel with illuminated control buttons for the car radio, telephone and other functions."
The panel between the taillights is as a window, Caza points out, "which gives the driver extra visibility to the rear, which is especially helpful when parking. The new sports coupe will also be available with an optional panorama sliding sunroof. From the front windshield to the rear spoiler, nearly everything is glass."
For an extra outdoor experience, Caza says, "Just press a button, and the front half of the roof glides over the rear, leaving a roof opening that is about a third larger than a conventional sunroof. And because the front part of the panorama sunroof slides over the outside of the car, it doesn't reduce headroom."
To deal with the sun when you don't want to expose yourself to it, the C-class coupe comes with two electrically-operated roller blinds on the inside that shade the interior from the sun when the roof is closed.
"All the technical innovations that will make the new C-Class sedan such a trendsetter in Canada have also found their way into the sports coupe," says Caza, including curtain side airbags and the ESP stability system, the optional COMAND integrated display with GPS navigation, and an enhanced Tele Aid system.
Road Tests and Reviews
Experts
Consumers
2000 Mercedes C-Class
Article Gallery