2012 Mercedes C Class Coupe

The 2012 Mercedes C Class Coupe was finally unveiled by Daimler during the weekend, after leaked photos with the new generation two-door model have leaked online twice during the last weeks.
Public debut for the 2012 Mercedes C Class Coupe will take place at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and the main difference (when compared to the sedan version), besides the two missing doors, include a lower roofline.
On the European market the 2012 Mercedes C Class Coupe will be available with five engines (three petrol and two diesels) with power ranging from 156, 170, 204 and 306 HP respectively. The most fuel efficient model will be the C220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY which uses a 6-speed manual and is expected to return 57.6 mpg (combined UK rating) / 120 grams per Km of CO2, while the top engine option for the 2012 Mercedes C Class Coupe is the V6 plant fitted on the C 350
BlueEFFICIENCY which produces 306 HP and 370 Nm of torque.    
On the U.S. market the 2012 Mercedes C Class Coupe will be available with the 1.8-litre direct injection 4-cylinder turbo unit producing 201 HP on the C250 and the 3.5-litre V6 plant which delivers 304 HP on the C350.
All 2012 Mercedes C Class Coupe models come equipped with ECO start/stop as standard, as well as ABS, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Attention Assist, ESP, Headlamp Assist, ILS (Intelligent Light System) and Parktronik.
The 2012 Mercedes C Class Coupe will be announced as the on sale date approaches (June for the European market/ September for the U.S.)
Daimler press release :

• In a class of its own: expressive, dynamic coupé design
• Drive and vigour: 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

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, classic coupé. This youthful, sporty two-door
car will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in early March and making
its way to customers from June.
The new model deploys the progressive technology featured on the soon
to be launched new generation of the C-Class to deliver an impressive
coupé format that combines pure fun at the wheel with exemplary
efficiency. In terms of attitude, this debuting model is tailored to a
customer group aged 35 to 45 for whom professional success, love of life
and a strong sense of responsibility are all important.
"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 dynamic. What we are offering
is an exceptionally sporty way to enter the world of the Mercedes-Benz
coupé."
The design: dynamic with classic coupé proportions
From the side, the new coupé beguiles the onlooker with its compact
proportions, low silhouette (41 mm flatter than the saloon) with
powerful shoulders and a 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 cabin extends
far beyond the rear axle over the rear window in its flat position to a
sportily short tail end.
While the wedge-shaped, sloping beltline demonstrates affinity with
the C-Class, its strong upsweep into the C-pillar is an entirely
distinctive element. The final part of the beltline trim moves sharply
upwards to meet the roofline trim. This upsweep not only adds a sporty
flourish to the way the side windows look; the shaping at the bottom of
the C-pillar also enhances the powerful shoulders.
Front and rear: truly a coupé, truly C-Class
At the front, the new coupé shares the same styling as the latest
C-Class and yet still has its own twist. The front view is dominated by
the prominent radiator grille surround including the bumper. The centre
air intake opens upwards, forming a visual base unit for the radiator
grille which 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 which gives the front end a pronounced V-shape.
This continues into the side sections which extend from beneath the
headlamps and blend into the feature lines along the vehicle flanks,
thereby linking the front end with the sides. The side air intakes in
the bumper featuring integrated, horizontal daytime running lamps are
positioned low down, giving the coupé a road-hugging appearance. The
shape of the clear-lens headlamps creates a dynamic impression, and acts
together with the bonnet, radiator grille and bumper trim to reinforce
the pronounced front section.
From the rear, the new C-Class Coupé looks sportily short. Because
the roof flows beyond the rear axle with the steeply raked rear window
and fluid C-pillars, the appearance of length is reduced. A wide chamfer
at the top of the boot lid, which is based on the side panel,
highlights the rear’s compactness. Positioning the tail lights as far
apart as possible emphasises width. The particular impression of depth
is achieved by a centrally located LED indicator, which appears to float
in front of the red upper and lower light bands with their more deeply
set LEDs. Continuous, horizontal light-catching contours in the bumper
further accentuate the broad, deep-set effect. The AMG rear skirt
between the exhaust system’s tailpipe trim makes the rear end look
lighter and gives the vehicle a distinctively sporty and dynamic
quality.
In the UK the C-Class Coupé will feature the AMG Sports Package as
standard which further enhances the look of the car with AMG bodystyling
and 18” AMG alloys.
The interior: highest quality with exclusive colour accents
The dashboard instrument panel features a strong, sporty and
high-quality design. Three tube rings with a galvanised finish
demonstrate the car’s sporty credentials to the driver. As standard, the
coupé comes with the new generation of three-spoke steering wheel with
its chromed central spoke that first appeared on the new CLS. The touch
surfaces of the controls are finely detailed and galvanised. The stepped
top of the instrument cluster also accommodates the central display and
continues onto the front passenger side as a discreet light-catching
contour. The central, trapezoidal air vents and the round vents on the
outside are highlighted in detail by galvanised trim. The control panel
of the new-generation communication and information unit has
silver-coloured keys. The combination of matt keys, high-gloss areas and
a new thumbwheel design underlines the high perceived value of the
interior.
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.  
The C-Class Coupé is a fully fledged four-seater featuring four
sporty, comfortable integral seats. If desired, the backrests in the
rear can be folded down to make the boot larger.
The new telematics generation: enhanced ease of operation and attractive good looks
The C-Class Coupé features a new telematics generation which received
its global premiere on the saloon and estate models. Major new features
include greater operating convenience, larger displays, phone book
transfer, display of SMS messages, wireless music reproduction via
Bluetooth and a USB interface now accommodated in the centre armrest.
The multimedia system COMAND Online now provides internet access for
the first time. When the car is stationary, customers are able to browse
freely or surf to a Mercedes-Benz Online service whose pages load
particularly rapidly and are also easy to use while on the move. The
integrated services include 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 navigation system of COMAND Online also has added
functions. New features include a 3D display with plastic city views.
Also new: routes covered can be recorded and repeated later, specific
personal destinations can be saved or imported via an SD card and four
alternative routes can be displayed on the navigation map, one of them a
particularly economical variation.
The Becker^® MAPPILOT makes a low-cost navigation function,
the pre-wiring for which will be standard in the UK is available for
the entry-level Audio 20 CD radio. Its advantages over aftermarket
solutions include integrated operation via the central controls and the
Audio 20 display, a concealed location in the glove compartment and
updating via an internet portal.
The drive system: plenty of performance, low fuel consumption
There is a choice of three petrol engines and two diesel powerplants
to power the C-Class Coupé. All are equipped with direct injection and
the ECO start/stop function as standard. All the engine variants are
classed as BlueEFFICIENCY units, showing that they are particularly
efficient and environmentally friendly in their use of fuel. All
automatic versions feature the further-enhanced 7G‑TRONIC PLUS
seven-speed automatic transmission (standard with the C 250 and C 350
petrol engines). The C 220 CDI and C 250 CDI diesel variants and the
basic C 180 petrol engine come with a six-speed manual transmission as
standard.
The top engine variant is the V6 petrol engine in the C 350
BlueEFFICIENCY featuring the efficient BlueDIRECT method of injection.
It delivers 306 hp and 370 Nm. Average fuel consumption is 41.5 mpg. The
four-cylinder petrol engines have direct injection and are
turbocharged, offering high performance and exemplary economy.
The most economical coupé model is the C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with
manual six-speed transmission and the standard ECO start/stop function.
It has an average diesel consumption of 64.2 mpg. This corresponds to
117 grams of CO₂ per kilometre. The C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY
contents itself with a combined diesel consumption of just 57.6 mpg.
This corresponds to CO₂ emissions of 128 grams per kilometre.
The range of engines for the C-Class Coupé at a glance:¹

BE = BlueEFFICIENCY, * figures for automatic transmission, manual transmission in brackets
Chassis: agile handling and a high level of comfort
The AGILITY CONTROL suspension, which is standard equipment,
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 standard in the UK.
Precision suspension: three-link front axle, multi-link independent rear suspension
The front axle has a three-link construction with McPherson spring
struts. The lower control arm consists of two separate elements which
serve as torque and cross struts and are both made of aluminium. The
third link in the front suspension is the tie rod which connects the
transverse steering gear to the wheels. The reinforced anti-roll bar is
connected to the spring strut which is likewise actively involved in
directing the front wheels.
With multi-link independent rear suspension, the wheel is attached to
five flexibly mounted, independently acting control arms which restrict
five of the available spatial movements: owing to this intelligent
control arm construction, each rear wheel basically retains freedom of
movement in one plane only, namely during controlled compression and
rebound.
As part of the AMG Sports Package which is standard in the UK the
C-Class Coupé will feature sports suspension and speed-sensitive sports
steeringas standard as well.
Driver assistance systems provide warnings and intervene
With seven 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 and sidebags for the driver and front
passenger, a kneebag on the driver’s side, and headbags. The side
protection system – comprising headbag and thoraxbag – optimises the
level of protection afforded to individual parts of the body. To protect
pedestrians, the coupé has an active bonnet made of aluminium.
With a number of driving assistance systems ranging from ATTENTION
ASSIST drowsiness detection to DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control, 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.
Assistance systems – some of which only give a warning in hazardous situations, and some which actively intervene – at a glance:

The market launch of the C-Class Coupé commences in June 2011.