New MB C-Class Coupe in September

The C-Class Coupe is a fully fledged four-seater

Mercedes-Benz completes another link in the nomenclature restructuring process with the introduction of the 2012 C-Class Coupe in Geneva.

“By extending the C-Class portfolio, we are consciously targeting new customers,” says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars. “The new model is youthful, stylish and expressive. What we are offering is an exceptionally sporty way to enter the world of the Mercedes-Benz coupe.”

The new C-Class Coupe will make its way to U.S. showrooms in September powered by either of a pair of direct injection engines.

From the side, the new coupe is compact with a low silhouette, powerful shoulders and a narrow C-pillar in a classic three-box design. Typical coupe features include the short front overhang, long hood, steeply raked windshield and long, sloping roof. The greenhouse extends far beyond the rear axle to an aggressive short rear end.

The new coupe shares the same frontend styling as the latest C-Class sedan and yet still has its own personality. ?From the rear, the new C-Class Coupe looks athletically compact but with a wide stance exaggerated by the widely separated taillights.

The C-Class Coupe is a fully fledged four-seater featuring four sporty, comfortable seats with integrated headrests. If desired, the backrests in the rear can be folded to extend the storage area.

The C-Class Coupe features the new telematics generation. Major new features include greater operating convenience, larger displays, phone book transfer, wireless Bluetooth audio streaming and a USB interface now located in the center armrest.

Integrated services include SIRIUS weather information and a special destination search via Google, as well as the option of downloading a route that has been previously configured on a PC using Google Maps and sent to the car. The optional COMAND navigation system also has a new 3D display with city views.

Driving routes covered can now be recorded and recalled later, specific personal destinations can be saved or imported via an SD card and four alternative routes can be displayed on the navigation map including an especially economical route.

There is a choice of two new direct-injection gasoline engines to power the C-Class Coupe and both models are equipped with a more fuel efficient 7-speed automatic transmission.

The V-6 gasoline engine in the C350 features the efficient BlueDIRECT injection, delivers 302 horsepower ?and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds.? Fuel economy is estimated at 22 mpg combined. ?The four-cylinder gasoline engine in the C250 also features direct injection and is turbocharged.? It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds and has an estimated 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway fuel economy.

The standard Agility Control suspension is based on an amplitude-dependent damping system: when driving normally with low shock absorber impulses, the damping forces are automatically reduced for a noticeable improvement in road noise and tire vibration – but without any compromise in handling safety.

The front axle has a three-link construction with McPherson spring struts while the rear is a multi-link independent system.

With nine airbags as standard, belt tensioners and belt-force limiters for all seats, the C-Class Coupe has extensive safety features. The airbags, which can deploy in milliseconds in the event of an accident, include front, side and pelvic airbags for the driver and front passenger, a kneebag on the driver’s side, and headbags. The side protection system – comprising headbag and thoraxbag – optimizes the level of protection afforded to individual parts of the body.

With a number of driving assistance systems ranging from standard Attention Assist drowsiness detection to optional Lane Keeping Assist, the coupe provides a comprehensive level of driver support and protection. The assistance systems are based on the latest radar, camera and sensor technology, and cover frequent accident causes such as distraction, fatigue and darkness.

Assistance systems include: