These are the first pictures of the new Mercedes C-class coupe.
The Mercedes C-class coupe will take the place of the CLC in Mercedes' range, and go on sale in 2011.
Mercedes first confirmed the C-class coupe back in March while outlining plans to extend production at its Bremen plant, which will build the C-class aloon, estate, coupe and GLK from 2011.
See the first pics of the new Mercedes C-class coupe in action
The C-Class coupe will be the second two-door based on the existing C-class, but the first to take its name into production.
Set to go on sale in the UK at the same time that facelifted versions of the existing saloon and estate reach showrooms in early 2011, the new C-class coupe has been conceived to replace the CLK, discontinued earlier this year after 12 years and two model generations.
The introduction of the C-Class coupe also spells the end for the CLC, a small sports hatch that was only recently updated. Sources indicated the model will be phased out and will be replaced by the new coupe.
The forthcoming two-door eschews a unique body shell and individual styling that made the CLK such a success for a comparatively upright look that draws heavily on the silhouette and detailing of its four-door siblings.
“We went back and studied what made our coupes so popular in the past. If you look at some of the more successful two-door models Mercedes-Benz has produced, you can see a direct relationship between them and their four-door stablemates,” said an insider describing the new coupe’s appearance.
Don’t expect the new Mercedes-Benz to have a very long life, though. With engineering of the fourth-generation C-class already under way at the German car maker’s R&D centre near Stuttgart, the new two-door is planned to be sold for a maximum of four years. It will then be replaced by a much more curvaceous model that’s likely to follow the example of the CLS in boasting a more practical four-door layout.
The upcoming C-class coupe will be the second two-door model to be based on today’s C-class. Unlike the E-class coupe, however, the C-class version will not be modified and offered in cabriolet guise.
“We did look at an open-top version but in the end the costs were too high given the short model life,” revealed Autocar’s source.
Join the debate
Add your comment
Re: Mercedes C-class coupe: first pics
The E Class coupe is based upon the current C Class platform. The current CLC (Sportscoupe) is based upon the old C Class platform and all generations of CLK were also based upon the then current C Class platforms of their respective generations. Ignore the wheebase, the givaway detail is the width of the track and the E Class saloon is too bulky for the coupe.
FYI: There are a number of E Class saloon/estate systems which are not available on the E Coupe as they have not been developed for the C Class or its electronics, so could not be fitted. Cross check the spec sheets for the telling items.
Re: Mercedes C-class coupe: first pics
This looks remarkably like the saloon just with two less doors. I hope there is something more interesting hiding under the disguise.
Re: Mercedes C-class coupe: first pics
The E-class sedan uses the new W212 chassis. The e-class coupe uses the C207 chassis which is basically the existing c-class chassis.A google for a combination of c207 w204 and chassis should confirm.