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2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe revealed

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe was revealed overnight ahead of its formal premiere in-the-metal at the Frankfurt motor show next month and Australian launch in the middle of next year.


The new-generation two-door C-Class cuts a fine figure, echoing the clean and upmarket lines of the larger S-Class Coupe in a similar fashion to its top-selling sedan sibling. Ditto the upper-crust cabin.

Given we’ve seen a number of spy images in recent times, the design comes as small surprise. But suffice to say it’ll provide stiffer competition to the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5 than its ageing predecessor when it hits Europe from December before rolling out globally.

The new C-Class Coupe is 60mm longer than the outgoing one between the firewall and the front axle alone, giving it a longer bonnet and classic rear-drive proportions. In true coupe-style, it sports a raised beltline and frameless doors. It’s also 15mm lower than the sedan.

Inside, you get the familiar, simple C-Class interface with rotary infotainment dial and ‘floating’ screen. The seats are sportier and designed specifically for the coupe though, and there’s a welcome automatic belt-feeder.

This new one has a 80mm extra wheelbase, is 95mm longer overall and 40mm wider than its predecessor, meaning it has more interior space as well.

The suspension is said to be tuned to offer a high level of comfort, while the sound-deadening has been amped-up to counter road roar. Mercedes says it’ll have a sporty edge, though, partially down to the four-link front axle with wheel suspension decoupled from the spring strut.

Basically, the suspension responds more sensitively to steering movements. Multi-link independent rear suspension (five-link) also features. Steel springs are standard, while adjustable dampers also feature. You can option AIRMATIC air suspension too.

Under the bonnet at launch will be a range of turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines slashing fuel economy over the old car by up to 27 per cent.

The petrol units include the 115kW 1.6-litre C180, plus a trio of 2.0-litre units in varying states of tune — 135kW in the C200, 155kW in the C250 and 180kW in the C300. We’d expect the two most powerful version to feature in Australia, at least.

The two diesel models are equipped with an enhanced four-cylinder unit developing 125kW or 150kW (Mercedes-Benz has not yet provided torque figures).

Naturally, after launch you can expect to see a (circa 270kW/520Nm) C450 AMG force-fed V6 and a full-fat Mercedes-AMG C63 AMG S with a 375kW/700Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 emerge.

The new body is made with more aluminium than before (the wings, bonnet and boot lid are made of the stuff), making this new version lighter. At the same time, the body is claimed to be much stiffer and stronger thanks to the use of high-strength materials.

This improves handling, but also safety, says Mercedes.

“The Coupé therefore follows a Mercedes-Benz tradition in not only meeting all current national and international laws, but also all rating requirements as well as the more stringent internal Mercedes-Benz safety requirements, which are based on what actually happens in real-life accidents,” the company said.

The new C-Class Coupe also sports a drag coefficient rating (Cd) of 0.26, which is slipperier than a cornered lobbyist.

Also to feature are several active and preventative safety features, such as low-speed autonomous brakes, radar cruise, lane-keeping assist, active park assist, a 360-degree camera, and a traffic-sign reader.

There are also nifty features such as a climate control system that syncs with the sat-nav to automatically put the air recirculation mode on in tunnels.

Australian-specific pricing and specifications will be announced closer to launch in mid-2016. Expect pricing to kick off in the low-60K range.

Click on the Photos tab to see a full range of images of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe. 

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