Swoopy roof, the loss of rear doors, lots of talk of 'sensual' design - yup, this is the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé, due out later this year.
Why do I feel like I've already seen this car?
Two reasons for that. Firstly, now it is out of disguise (we'll come back to that in a mo), the rear-end appearance - with its wide light clusters and a number plate dropped down into the rear bumper - is the new Mercedes coupé family styling, that has already been seen on the S-Class Coupé and GLE Coupé. And secondly, we recently brought you shots of the heavily-camouflaged AMG version of the C-Coupé undergoing final testing at Hockenheim.
What are the engines like for the regular range, then?
Familiar four-cylinder turbocharged lumps, creating four petrol and two diesel models at launch. A 1.6-litre petrol unit with 156hp can be found in the C 180, while the C 200, C 250 and C 300 variants all use a turbocharged 2.0-litre motor - it delivers 184-, 211- or 245hp respectively. The stalwart 2.1-litre turbodiesel makes either 170- or 204hp, although Mercedes does say it has enhanced this engine so we're hoping the refinement of it has improved.
What else is going on mechanically?
Three suspension set-ups comprise standard steel springs in either 'comfort' (Agility Control) spec or Sports, which has tougher dampers and springs. Either of these specifications is 15mm lower than a non-Coupé C-Class. Airmatic air suspension and its five-mode Dynamic Select switch will be an option, while any Coupé has four-link front, five-link rear underpinnings. Aluminium is used to keep the weight down and its slippery shape leads to an aerodynamics figure of just 0.26Cd.
Are there a lot of driver assist systems and comfort technology?
Oh goodness, yes. The list of acronyms and strange phrases rendered in all capitals, which either keep you in lane or prevent an accident or predict the weather in Droitwich in three days' time, is seemingly endless. So the C-Class Coupé will not want for toys.
How about space?
Well, the loss of rear doors makes it obviously less practical than the saloon or Estate models, but it has become bigger. There's an extra 60mm of metal betwixt front axle and bulkhead, giving the Coupé a long, sporty snout, while it is 95mm longer overall (with 80mm incorporated into the wheelbase) and 40mm wider than its predecessor. Mercedes says that translates into more room in many dimensions within the cabin, which basically - on a visual score - borrows from the excellent interior found in any W204 C-Class.