Test Car Specifications
Model tested: Mercedes-Benz C 300 Coupé AMG Line
Pricing: from £30,900; £36,990 as tested
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol
Transmission: seven-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Body style: two-door, 2+2 coupé
CO2 emissions: 146g/km (VED Band F, £145 per annum)
Combined economy: 44.8mpg
Top speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 6.0 seconds
Power: 245hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm at 1,300- to 4,000rpm
Kerb weight: 1,565kg
Boot space: 400 litres
What's this?
Feast your eyes on the shapely new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé. It's the third body style of the generation (though probably not the last) and undoubtedly the prettiest. There's more than a hint of S-Class Coupé to the attractive exterior shape, which is 95mm longer and 40mm wider than the previous C-Class Coupé. That has resulted in a modest increase in cabin space, but most buyers are likely to be as interested in the comfortable new sports seats front and rear and the high-quality switchgear.
At launch, model options are C 220 d, C 250 d, C 200, C 300 and the three Mercedes-AMG variants. The two diesels use the seemingly immortal turbocharged 2.1-litre diesel engine, in 170hp/400Nm or 204hp/500Nm states of tune, starting from £33,465 and £36,120 respectively. The entry-level car is the petrol-fuelled C 200, priced from £30,955. It shares its core turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with the C 300 tested here, producing 184hp and 300Nm. The C 300 costs from £35,460 on-the-road. There's a variety of transmissions in the line-up, including a six-speed manual, plus seven- and nine-speed automatics. The manual option is limited to C 220 d and C 200 versions.
Two trim lines are offered in the UK, Sport and AMG Line. As standard there's Active Park Assist, Parktronic parking sensors, a reversing camera, LED head-and tail lights, Garmin satnav and a seven-inch colour screen, electrically folding mirrors, 17-inch alloy wheels, sports seats with Artico upholstery, heated front seats, Collision Prevention Assist Plus and, if you go for the C 300, a switchable sports exhaust. AMG Line cars get an inch bigger alloy wheels, a comprehensive body kit that includes a cracking looking 'chrome pin' grille, 15mm lowered suspension and a suite of interior upgrades including a lovely flat-bottomed AMG steering wheel.
Here we review the new C 300 Coupé, currently the petrol-powered range-topper (not including the C 63 Coupé, obviously). It features a 245hp version of the turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine, rear-wheel drive and a smooth seven-speed automatic transmission as standard.
How does it drive?
First impressions are great. The petrol engine powering the C 300 is very quiet at idle and a joy to thread through an urban area. The automatic gearbox is slick too. However, up your speed on the open road and an alter ego is revealed, an unexpectedly loud one at that, as the engine takes on a metallic blare that isn't exactly pleasant on the ears. It sounds faster than it feels and, anyway, the noise will put you off chasing this engine's peak power figure at 5,500rpm. This seems completely at odds with the smooth chassis and elegant lines of the C-Class Coupé.
Thankfully, the C 250 d is far more satisfying to drive. It may not have the same outright power of the C 300 (just 204hp), but with 500Nm of torque produced as low down as 1,600rpm its performance is effortless and it proves to be quieter for a given speed and effort. They share the same direct steering and well-modulated pedals, though we don't yet know what the standard suspension system is like as all available test cars were fitted with Airmatic air suspension with adaptive damping, allowing the driver to choose how sporty or comfortable they'd like the car to be.
Verdict
The Mercedes C 250d Coupé is a four-star car at the least, but we couldn't muster enough enthusiasm for the C 300 petrol version to gloss over how raucous and unsatisfying the engine is to extend. Thankfully, few British buyers will consider this car. They're better off with the diesel, for sure.
Exterior Design
Interior Ambience
Passenger Space
Luggage Space
Safety
Comfort
Driving Dynamics
Powertrain
