2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe: Back into the fray!

Mercedes-Benz has never really offered a C-Class coupe worthy of the name. Sure, there was a very nice little hatchback that came out in 2000, but many didn’t consider it a “real Mercedes-Benz” so they steered clear of it.

But all that is changed with the arrival of the 2012 C-Class coupes. The powers that be in Stuttgart understood that no self-respecting manufacturer can ignore a category since, nowadays, competition in the luxury car category takes place on a global scale.

• Also: Mercedes-Benz Recalls Some C-Class Models

For years, C-Class cars were nothing more than entry-level models at Mercedes. They were more practical than they were exciting and that seemed to suit the management in Stuttgart just fine. But the arrival of this newcomer in the C-Class family, which will join the sedan and the wagon (the wagon is not available in North America), means that those days are gone.

To rival cars like the BMW 3 Series and the Infiniti G37, Mercedes-Benz is offering the C-Class coupe, which comes in three versions: C250, C350 and AMG 6.3. Given that the AMG is in a class all by itself, we are going to evaluate the first two versions and devote a separate text to the AMG.

Aggressive shape

Since Mercedes wants its vehicles to project a sportier, less traditional image, it was imperative that this new coupe’s shape be dynamic. Of course, true to the brand’s philosophy, it’s more balanced than it is quirky.

The stylists adopted a design with an elongated hood and a very short tail end. What’s more, the front and rear overhangs are much shorter, which gives it a sportier presence on the road. Both the C250 and the C350 have front grilles made up of two horizontal rods, with the brand’s legendary silver star in the centre. It’s quite large and is inspired by the one used on the SLS, which has become a classic after less than two years on the market.

It has a plunging hood and with a raised middle, referred to by the stylists as a power bulge. According to fans of the genre, this feature indicates the presence of a very powerful engine under the hood.

As is the current trend, the headlights wrap around on the fenders and there are very nice electroluminescent diodes in their lower part, as well as in the front lateral air intakes. These LED lights are on slanting rods and are very impressive at night. Still with the theme of making it sportier, there is a practical and very large trapezoidal air intake situated directly under the front grille.

The side panels have raised wheel wells, sculpted rocker panels and, on the upper part of the side panel, there’s a vanishing point line that goes toward the tail end. For aerodynamic purposes, the windshield is sharply inclined while the roof ends at the beginning of the relatively short trunk. The large exterior rear-view mirrors easily make up for the very limited interior rear visibility.

Overall, this coupe sets itself apart quite a bit from the sedan, which features somewhat conservative lines. The sides are sculpted, the front end is pervasive and the overhangs are very short. The result is that this German looks very sporty.

As with all of this brand’s cars, the list of options is almost infinite. You can have fun tweaking your future Mercedes-Benz according to your tastes and the thickness of your wallet...

Plush

A car that claims to be sporty doesn’t have to have a passenger compartment that looks like an amusement park. In this case, the interior presentation is simple and tasteful. It has the same three circular indicators as the sedan and the controls situated on the horizontal spokes on the steering wheel are excellent.

In fact, the only noticeable difference on the dashboard is the two central air vents that are integrated in a fixture that crosses the dashboard from the left extremity of the vertical console to the air vent in front of the passenger. Furthermore, it’s possible to order these fixtures in different colours, in particular brushed aluminum, black piano lacquer and exotic wood. There’s even a special edition that comes exclusively in white piano lacquer.

Speaking of exclusivity, Mercedes-Benz Canada will import 50 units of the special  C350 Edition 1. Its equipment includes an amalgam of all of the special packages, with 18-inch AMG tires and black Magno matte finish paint. On the C-Class coupes, the indicator dials have copper backgrounds and the information centre situated in the middle of the speedometer displays information in different colours. Note that all of the C-Class coupes come factory standard with a very large panoramic sunroof.

The seats are also new and have an integrated headrest and their side padding is now sufficient to support you in turns. Of course, the driver’s seat is adjustable in many ways and even the passenger seat is partially adjustable electrically. The back seats are made up of two individual bucket seats that have the same characteristics as those in front. Even a very tall person will find some comfort, but only if those seated in front move their seats forward a bit. Moreover, getting into the back isn’t particularly easy. The 60/40 seatback folds down to allow you to transport long items.

Generally, this model’s ergonomics are very intuitive with few exceptions. Once such exception, the navigation system, is much improved, but it’s somewhat temperamental. However, the driving position is excellent.

If you read foreign publications, you’ll learn that this model is offered in some markets with a system that allows you to access the Internet. Unfortunately, Canada and the United States are not among these markets. And don’t expect to see the stop and go system on our shores either...

Surprising four-cylinder engine

Overall, the expectation is that sport vehicles should have a V6 or even a large capacity V8 purring under the hood. The C-Class does indeed offer these engines, with the C350 equipped with a 3.5-litre 302-hp V6 and the AMG version armed with a thunderous 6.2-litrre 451-hp V8. The C250’s four-cylinder almost looks like a poor relative by comparison, but it would be a mistake to underestimate it.

The C250’s turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder has 99 horses less than the V6, but don’t let the numbers fool you: despite its fewer horses, a C-Class powered by this four-cylinder can go from 0-100 km/hr in 7.2 seconds, which is only 1.2 seconds less than the C350 with a V6 engine. Basically, with a C250, you won’t slow down traffic!
But that’s not the whole story. This little engine is lighter, distributes the weight better and is surprisingly fun to drive. Moreover, the acceleration figures aren’t everything. Indeed, it reaches its maximum power at a lower gear than the six-cylinder engine and the same goes for the torque. That means that on the road, for accelerations and pick-up, a version equipped with the four-cylinder turns out to be very powerful and will be sufficient for most drivers. On the other hand, at some engine speeds, it sometimes seems rough. Also note that both engines are paired with a tried and tested seven-speed automatic transmission. There is one drawback though... all of these engines run on super, and when you consider the price of this fuel type at the pump, you’ll think twice.

Balance

To list all of the options, the standard equipment, the accessories and safety devices, this column would probably be four times longer. One of the most important features is the Dynamic Handling Package, which comes standard on the C350 and on option on the C250. This mechanism helps the shock absorbers modify their firmness according to the driving conditions, the steering is more direct and the response of the accelerator is more incisive. Furthermore, shifting is a lot faster. All you have to do is press a button on the dashboard to activate the Dynamic mode and to make the car much sportier.

Regardless of the model that you choose, this car has an extremely rigid platform and the suspensions are very well calibrated to offer impeccable handling. I had the chance to drive this car for several hundred kilometres on winding roads and I couldn’t find fault with it whether I was going the posted speed limit or going over it. This car is stable and the feedback from the steering wheel is very good. I should add that, over the last few years, Mercedes-Benz has made enormous progress when it comes to creating a thrilling ride. It used to be that car was efficient and handled well, but it wasn’t particularly fun to drive. This time, the C250 and C350 are excellent touring cars that know how to please their driver.

Times are changing in Stuttgart. Not long ago, the manufacturer would have settled for simply chopping two doors off of the sedan, choosing more powerful engines and modifying some accessories. The brand’s new philosophy is to adapt each car to each category and to each segment, which explains the presence of this model with the very unique silhouette, very complete equipment and modern mechanics with improved fuel consumption.

A lot of people will be hard pressed to choose between the C-Class and E-Class coupes.