The new Mercedes C-Class Coupé seems to be aimed at a new generation of Mercedes buyers. A little rougher around the edges than the more elegant and luxurious E-Class Coupé, the new C-Class Coupé is set for a male audience of between 35 and 45 years old, who want to drive a Mercedes coupé but don’t want the overt display of class provided by the former. The C-Class maintains driving pleasure as its strong point, keeping a sporty style and dynamics to match.

After the Mercedes CLK disappeared from the scene in 2009, the C-Class is set to re-enter as the new competitor in the same segment as highly successful models like the Audi A5 and the BMW 3 Series coupé. It won’t be an easy task being back in that game, but the Mercedes badge will probably be the first attraction for new buyers.

We talked yesterday of the possible pitfalls in the Mercedes C-Class Coupé design, but otherwise it’s similar to the rest of the family, with the same front end and a few sportier touches to distinguish it. The engine range is nothing short of expansive and impressive. Five powertrain options are available from launch, with three petrol models and two diesels.

The fuel-driven units are the entry-level C180 with a 1.8-litre turbo unit with 156 hp. It’s followed by the C250 with a 1.8-litre unit as well but extra power at 204 hp. The top-of-the-range model is the C350, powered by the new 3.5-litre V6 with 306 hp. The diesel models are made up of the C220 CDI with a 2.1-litre, four-cylinder unit producing 170 hp, and the powerstep version of the C250 CDI with 204 hp.

Other features of the C-Class Coupé on the technical front are the direct injection of all engines and standard start&stop across the range. Transmission options are either a six-speed manual or Mercedes’ new 7G-Tronic Plus. The start&stop inclusion indicates that the C-Class Coupé intends on providing efficiency with its driving capacity. An example is the C220 CDI model which runs on 4.4 l/100 km of fuel, producing 117 g/km of CO2 emissions. Is this also a new focus for these younger buyers…?

The new C-Class Coupe comes equipped with Agility Control suspension and among the optionals, there is also adaptive steering. A lowered sports suspension system is also available, along with reinforced anti-roll bar for the track driver in you. Mercedes may or may not struggle to distinguish this model from its E-Class Coupé, and then again the difference might not be important. The C-Class Coupé will get a similar interior design to the bigger model, and the quality finishes will be largely the same. The C-Class Coupé will be offered at a slightly lower price, so it will probably all come down to individual appeal in the end.

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