C Class sport coupe

[DVSNCYNIKL]

It is clear that for the past few years Mercedes-Benz’s strategy has been to extend its product range down to the entry-level luxury-car market. These “econo” Mercs are aimed to be the elite in their segment, designed as better-equipped and higher-quality models with slightly higher list prices.

With this in mind, it is only logical to expect that a small, 2-door C-Class-based Sports Coupe first unveiled at the Paris motor show would be added to the Mercedes lineup. In view of the conservative but harmonious styling of the CL and the CLK coupes, the rather “un-Mercedes” styling of the C-Class Coupe comes as a real surprise. Its steeply rising waistline, the integrated rear spoiler and the novel taillight treatment must have shocked more than a few Mercedes fans.

For me, there is no question that the Coupe looks well balanced. And, although people will not recognize it immediately as a Mercedes (except when viewed from the front), at least the design turns heads and sets itself off from its competitors. One striking feature of the car is its long wheelbase— the same as the sedan’s—
compared to its short overall length that is nearly 8 in. shorter than the 4-door’s. With a CD of 0.29, this sporty Merc is slightly less slippery than the sedan, which boasts a record CD of 0.26.

The handling of the C-Class Sports Coupe is first-class, thanks to the sedan’s optional sports suspension, now standard on the 2-door. During my drive in Nice, France, the car felt surefooted, but lacked the ability to soak up minor bumps. However, the firmer suspension setup certainly enhances the Coupe’s agility and helps get the best out of the excellent chassis.

At the rear, the car retains the well-known Mercedes multilink suspension. At the front, it uses MacPherson struts with the lower wishbone replaced by twin converging arms, on which the bottom end of the strut is linked by two spherical joints, creating a virtual single pivot further outside to reduce the wheel offset. The steering is rack-and-pinion with hydraulic assist.

For the U.S., the Sports Coupe comes with a 2.3-liter supercharged inline-4 engine also found in the SLK230 roadster. The powerplant is mated to a standard 6-speed manual transmission, but a 5-speed TouchShift automatic can be ordered as an option. In performance, the 230 Kompressor should be a match for the BMW 323Ci, though the Mercedes’ 4-cylinder does not quite equal the refinement of Munich’s 6-cylinder.

Standard and optional features for the Sports Coupe are nearly inexhaustible: Almost everything you can get in an S-Class can be ordered in this compact C-Class. Full front, side and window airbag equipment, the ESP stability system and ABS are standard. All the models I drove had the COMAND navigation system incorporating the radio controls. Other Mercedes luxury amenities include automatic climate control, power seats and an adjustable steering column.

A new panorama sunroof, offering a 30-percent-larger opening than the traditional ones, is available to satisfy the sun-seekers. And for parking in close quarters, a window under the Coupe’s rear spoiler and the optional “Parktronic” system are very helpful.



To facilitate ingress and egress, the Mercedes’ front seats move forward when the seatback is folded forward to give access to the divided rear seats. Rear leg room is sufficient for the car to qualify as a 2+2, but definitely not a place for humans to occupy for any extended road trip. The rear seats fold forward for variable luggage accommodation ranging from 10.9 to 38.9 cu. ft., enough for most types of sporting gear.

Expect the Sports Coupe to hit showrooms in the U.S. this summer, with a list price to hover in the mid-$25,000 to $30,000 range.

Just thought I'd share some info with you guys.

[i_rebel]

Ooooooooohh . . .

That boy found him a "source"!

[Porsche]

The C230 Sport Coupe is dumb, it serves no purpose being the same price as a C240 and it is useless for Space that's why it should stay in Europe where Space is more valued. I hate it.

[DVSNCYNIKL]

Dumb? While that may be your opinion, the purpose of that Benz is not space but affordability. Not many people can shell out the money for a CLK. But I know the C240 is about the same.

[Porsche]

Okay, maybe I was a bit harsh. My point was that The c240 is bigger and has other advantages for the same price. It also is a really small car which Pisses me off. Every car these days is smaller and smaller, I'm 6' 2.5' and It is hard to fit in most cars.

[DVSNCYNIKL]

Hehe. I'm not that far behind you man. I'm 6'1" and it's a bitch just getting in and out of my car. Lookwise though, I think it's very nice looking.

[WRAITH]

Hey guys,
I think you guys who are 6' over should try the C230 coupe. I tried the car yeterday, and I was surprised by the amount head room in that car. It felt very tight and nice.... I was planning to get a WRX or RSX T-S or IS300 but after the test drive I was sold!

Nice little car with plenty of room for all sort of adult size. More, has plenty cool stuffs that I think would cost an arm and leg in Japanese counterpart.

BTW, does anyone know where I can get more specs on the C230 coupe? Like the engine specs, bored and stroke, belt or chain given..etc. And suspension specs too!

Thanks in advance!

[kathyAMG]

It has better leg room than my friends CLK and the panoramic roof is really amazing. i can't see myself buying one since I'm a sedan lover but wouldn't mind having one for some fun. The engine is pretty powerful for the little car and I had the chance to test it out on a short track. 6 speed although can't see when I would be able to use 6th with the terribly low speed limit in our US highways.

Kathy
www.MBNZ.org
The Premier Mercedes Benz Owner's Website

[Nismoboy1]

what??? how can say the sedan and the coupe are the same price, not even close, base price for the coupe is ~$25k and the sedan is ~$31k, and this doesn't even include the options you might want with it. Plus the sedans are slower, with only 168hp vs. the 192 hp that the coupe has. and it also does 0-60 in ~7.2 sec. which is right behind the C320, which is a $37k car. Anyways...i'd take one of those cars...they look pretty damn good with the C7 wheel package also, which is only a $750 option, which is worth it...

[gang$tarr]

I would much rather get an RSX type-S.... costs less, WAY more luxury standard features than the benz, and the performance blows the C-coupe away

RSX type-S is where it's at for new sports compact cars

[Jay!]

I'm 6'1", and I fit just fine, even with someone in the backseat, and she said she had plenty of room. I didn't try the backseat myself, though...

[Morpheus XIII]

I'm 6' as well, and I love small cars.

Nismoboy1, good points, I was thinking the same things; nearly all publications have been heavily noting the record low price point of the C-coupe, which will probably be the primary selling factor (just this month, I have seen more C-coupes on the road than I have 318tis in my life), along with the panorama ceiling.

Originally posted by gang$tarr
I would much rather get an RSX type-S.... costs less, WAY more luxury standard features than the benz, and the performance blows the C-coupe away

In my honest to God opinion, I feel that these two cars should NOT be compared, regardless of the similar dimensions and engine size. The Acura sways towards 'lightweight sports', while the Mercedes aims more for 'sporty luxury'. gang$starr states that the RSX type-S has "WAY more luxury standard features", but I can only find five: the Acura has standard leather seating, front adjustable lumbar support, rear wiper, CD player with theft deterrent and subwoofer, and a moonroof (well, this obviously won't compare to the Panorama roof).

The Mercedes has standard: rear-seat heater ducts, universal HomeLink garage door opener, SmartKey with remote IR open/close windows and sunroof, driveaway door locking, fog lights, light sensing headlights, programmable timing night headlamp auto-off, automatic lamp substitution (uses nearby lamp if critical bulb fails), heated windshield washer nozzles lines and reservoir, heated mirrors, autodimming left-side mirror, illuminated vanity mirrors, express up/down power windows, outside temperature gauge, oil gauge, trip computer, speed sensitive stereo with fiber optic networking, remote trunk release, arm-rest storage, telescoping steering column, rear-side airbags, side head-curtain airbags, dual climate control system (with humidity sensor, REST mode for ventilation and residual key-off 30 min. heat, and Tunnel mode for one-touch all windows and roof closure), Vehicle Stability Program, Electronic Brake Assistance--all of which, minus the fog lights, are UNAVAILABLE for the RSX type-S.

You pretty much get what you pay for--a Mercedes Benz. The C230 Sports Coupe costs a few grand more, however, take note: this comparison is between the RSX's top of the line type-S, which has only a few more options available, and a base model C-coupe, which has a plethora of ultra luxoparts options available. This is why I feel these two cars should not be compared.

Just to name some choice options: the aforementioned sunroof in a highly unique Porsche Targa-like retractable glass ceiling (which is probably why there is no standard rear wiper), charcoal or oyster leather, rain-sensing wipers, Bose premium sound with subwoofer, power front seats with memory (also linked to mirror-position plus right mirror tilt-down parking support), heated seats, headlamp washers, COMAND navigation system, and Tele Aid Concierge Service (like OnStar).

Oh by the way, for those who think the C320 Kompressor Sports Coupe is a weakling, don't forget that it's supercharged, and has very usable power--200 lb. ft. of torque at a low 2500 rpm through 4800 rpm, as opposed to the RSX type-S's 142 lb. ft. at a high 6000 rpm.

[gang$tarr]

look at the 0-60 times, the RSX type-S is almost a second faster!

i went to the mercedes web site and chose the options and stuff for the C coupe... I chose only options that are standard on the RSX Type-S (plus the panorama roof, gotta have that )
those options would be: leather, heated and power front seats, the bose sound system, 6-disc changer
and it ended up being $34,000

now i went to the acura website and the RSX Type-S with those features was under $24,000

The options on the Mercedes cost a hell of alot
maybe you're right we shouldn't compare them, they're not even in the same price range

i would prefer the Type-S IMO

[Morpheus XIII]

Right. For 10 grand more (on average), it would be better to compare to an Acura CL.

[awaken1973]

I would prefer C230 over RSX any day. It has classy interior and overall look and feel (Acura's console and controls are just plain ugly, imo)
and these cars can't be compared - while Mercedes not so fast as overpriced re-badged Civic :-) it feels more like solid, luxury item and it has RWD