Coupé enriches C-Class appeal

The latest coupé is elegantly sporty and because of its frameless doors it looks like it was carved out of a solid block of metal. The sloping roofline is similar to that of the S-Class coupé and seems to stretch the car visually and to plant it even closer to the road, and the large alloys, wrapped in low-profile rubber, further enhance the car’s visual appeal. The stand-out feature of new coupé is its imposing black and silver-speckled grille, shapely slit-eyed light clusters and huge air intakes below the wrap-around bumper.

Sporty elegance

Unlike many carmakers, Merc has not neglected the derriere of the coupé, dressing it with a sharp boot-line, two-piece LED tail lights and large chrome-tipped exhaust outlets. The sporty-elegant looks extend to the living quarters furnished with two-tone, Artico man-made leather (my favourite combination is red seats with black surrounds), a liberal spread of chrome switches, dials and gauges and numerous driving aids.

True to the car’s sporty character, the feature which will probably be the most popular is the car’s Dynamic Select transmission modes with a range of choices, from Comfort, and Eco to Sport, Sport + and Individual. Of the three modes, I prefer the Sport setting the most because it immediately sharpens up the responses of the engine and automatic transmission.

At the media launch we had the pleasure of a combination of twisty sections and stretches of fairly quiet country roads where there was lots scope for getting the feel (and enjoying) the car’s new 9G-Tronic automation transmission and amazing road-holding thanks to its Agility Control Suspension (with selective damping) and super steering response.

Power factories

Best of all was the power factories under the coupes’ grand, sloping hoods. I had the opportunity to drive all three the models - the C200 (with 7G-tronic transmission), and the C220d and the big daddy C300 (both equipped with 9G-Tronic transmission). The C200 (with a price tag of R551,100) has a 2-litre engine that produces 135kW and 300Nm), the C220d (which costs R592,700) has a 2.1-litre engine which produces 125kW and 400Nm and the C300 (priced at R660,300) has a stepped up 2-litre engine capable of 180Kw and 370Nm).

I enjoyed all three models but, surprisingly for a non-diesel fan, my choice of the three would be the oil-burning diesel which delights with its low-down grunt. It is quick off the mark without the slightest hesitation and it trots through the cogs with enthusiasm and a healthy growl.

All three variants have a full house of technology (too detailed to discuss here) but even the entry level comes with standard fittings such as Collision Prevention Assist, cruise control/Speedtronic, tyre pressure monitor, auto climate control, Eco start/stop, a super sound system and Bluetooth connectivity with touchpad.

The new C-Class Coupé is a top-notch addition to the acclaimed C-Class range. Beautiful to look at, tops to drive and liberally stocked with a wide range of driving aids and pleasure-givers, plus the cabin is elegant, the living space is generous (for a coupé) and it is priced competitively enough to shake the cages of anything the opposition can throw at it.

Like all Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles the coupé comes with a six-year/100,000km maintenance contract.