European market launch in June 2011 - The C-Class Coupé: the perfect shape

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe

• In a class of its own: expressive, dynamic coupé design
• Emotion: five powerful direct-injection engines to choose from
• Efficiency: ECO start/stop function fitted as standard
• Help at hand: numerous assistance systems available
• Experience: new generation of telematics with internet access

STUTTGART : May 17, 2011 - What more dynamic way to celebrate the invention of the automobile? The expressive C-Class Coupé sees Mercedes-Benz, now in its 125th year of corporate history, entering a new market segment and for the first time offering a compact coupé with classic proportions. From the side, the new coupé beguiles the onlooker with its flat silhouette with powerful shoulders and narrow C-pillar in a classic three-box design. Typical coupé features include the short front overhang, long bonnet, steeply raked windscreen and long, stretched-out roof. The greenhouse extends far beyond the rear axle over the low-raked rear window to a sportily short tail end. At the front, the new coupé shares the same styling as the latest C-Class and yet still has its own twist. The radiator grille has the double-louvre style typical of a coupé. Two chrome louvres extend left and right either side of the central star, tapering off at the outer edges and creating a sporty, arrow-shaped horizontal sweep at the front end.

A highlight in the interior is the coupé seats with integral head restraints and single seats in the rear, thereby demonstrating the car's sporty credentials to the driver. The dashboard reveals a strong, sporty and high-quality design including three tube rings with a galvanised finish. A large section of trim is a high-quality part of the dashboard instrument panel. This extends from the centre air vents across the front passenger side to the outer air vent, emphasising the interior's generous proportions. For the first time in automotive engineering, the trim parts are available in a porcelain piano-lacquer look, so complementing the car's exclusive interior feel. The piano-lacquer look is available in conjunction with the style package or the Edition 1.

There is a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines to power the C-Class Coupé. All are equipped with direct injection and the ECO start/stop function as standard. The BlueEFFICIENCY designation indicates that they are particularly efficient in their use of fuel. All automatic versions feature the further-enhanced 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission.

Chassis: agile handling and pure fun at the wheel
The AGILITY CONTROL suspension, which is standard equipment and has a sporty configuration, complements the dynamic engines to perfection. This 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 roar and tyre vibration characteristics – but without any compromise in handling safety. When shock absorber impulses are greater, for example when cornering at speed or performing evasive manoeuvres, the maximum damping forces are set and the car is effectively stabilised. The AGILITY CONTROL suspension is complemented by a rack-and-pinion steering system. Speed-sensitive steering with variable centring and a constant steering ratio is available as an option.

In addition to the AGILITY CONTROL suspension as standard, there is an optional extra on the coupé in the form of a 15 mm lower sports suspension with harder, shorter springs, tauter shock absorbers and stronger torsion bars. Speed-sensitive sports steering is also included.

Driver assistance systems provide warnings and intervene

With nine airbags as standard, belt tensioners and belt-force limiters for all seats, the C-Class Coupé has extensive safety features. The airbags, which can deploy in milliseconds in the event of an accident, include front airbags for the driver and front passenger, a kneebag on the driver's side, sidebags and pelvisbags in the front, as well as windowbags for the driver and the front and rear passengers.

With a number of driving assistance systems ranging from ATTENTION ASSIST to DISTRONIC PLUS, the coupé 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 driving too closely, fatigue and darkness.

Images : 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe

[Source : DAIMLER]