Mercedes C-Class Coupe priced to thrill

Showing off an athletic new design and fitted with seven-speed automatic transmissions as standard on all models, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe has arrived in Australia and could cause a little friction with its BMW rival, undercutting the 3 Series Coupe equivalent by more than $10,000.

Mercedes-Benz new 2+2 seater coupes are already beginning to make their way to dealers, providing the German brand a svelte new two-door proposition that is expected to attract a younger buyer to the brand, with pricing starting at $58,900 for the C 180 turbo petrol model, outputting 115kW/250Nm.

The BMW 320d Coupe equipped with a six-speed automatic retails for $69,464 - around $10,000 more than the Benz Coupe. The manual BMW 320d Coupe fetches $66,500.

President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Australia, Hans Tempel, explained that the C-Class Coupe has been on the company's wish list for quite some time: "It is a car that has long been discussed whether there should be one or not. We have always been favourable to have such a car; I'm glad it is now with us."

Though a manual version of the C-Class Coupe is offered in Europe, all models sold in Australia are fitted with a seven-speed automatic transmission, and other standard features include 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels (depending on model grade), Bluetooth connectivity for telephone and audio streaming, Nappa leather steering wheel, speed sensitive steering, reverse parking sensors, LED daytime running lights, partial electric seats and automatic wipers and headlights.

The car is a four-seater vehicle, with sports bucket seats front and rear, and standard levels of safety are uniformly high, with electronic stability control, ABS, and 11 airbags to name a few of the items designed to keep occupants safe.

Tempel explained that the new model is the spiritual successor to the CLC-Class, "...even though it's a totally different car." He added that the CLC "did extremely well for us," and brought new people into the Benz fold, but is confident the new lower, leaner and more aggressively designed C-Class Coupe will outsell its predecessor's 100 units per month.

"We try to have an affordable vehicle [that represents] value for money, starting at $58,900. The C-Class Coupe passed below the luxury car tax, and this is always good because no one wants to pay tax if necessary," explained Tempel. It should be mentioned however that the C 180 Coupe does incur the LCT, albeit just $331.

There are four C-class Coupe models offered in Australia, three petrol and one diesel model, topping out at just under $100,000 for the V6 petrol C 350 Coupe but the hard-charging C 63 AMG Coupe will arrive in October for $154,800. The Coupe commands a premium of around $2000 over the C-Class sedan models.

The full price range of C-Class Coupe models as follows:

- Mercedes-Benz C 180 Coupe $58,900?
- Mercedes-Benz C 250 CDI Coupe $69,900
- Mercedes-Benz C 250 Coupe $69,900
- Mercedes-Benz C 350 Coupe $99,900

There is also a special edition available called the Edition 1, which adds unique 18-inch alloy wheels, Artico black leather with porcelain stitching, and porcelain leather on the bottom half of the steering. Designo updates to the interior trim also add contrasting colours, and the Edition 1 pack is offered at $6100 on the C 180 and $4360 for all other models.

The C 250 CDI is powered by a 2.1-litre four-cylinder twin turbo diesel mill that outputs 150kW/500Nm and accelerates from 0-100km/h in 7.1 seconds, quicker in fact than the C 250 turbo petrol model's 7.2 time. The latter car is powered by an updated version of the 1.8-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder engine generating 150kW/310Nm.

Sitting at the top of the tree (until the AMG model arrives) is the BMW 335i-rivalling C 350 Coupe, powered by a 3.5-litre engine outputting 225kW/370Nm, enough herbs and spices for a rapid 6.0 second 0-100km/h sprint.

David McCarthy, Senior Manager Corporate Communications at MB Australia, expects the smartly priced C 180 to take a "healthy share" of overall C-Class Coupe sales, but suggested the "...C 250 will be the volume seller," while the "...C 180 is for people to get in that $50k to $60k price bracket and with salary sacrifice."

Stay tuned for full details and our first drive of the C-Class Coupe range, to find out whether the new coupe is suited to Australian roads.