There is a market for such variants, if perhaps somewhat limited in this country. But the car is nevertheless a good 'halo' for the standard saloon and estate.
Mercedes-Benz describe the front end of this one as an 'arrow', and have it aimed presumably at the hearts of competitors like the BMW 3 Series Coupe and Audi's TT. It does have its own level of beauty, and the overall shape is commendably slippy as well as sexy-looking. Indeed, I do think the overall shape of the car looks a lot better than did its predecessor.
As I have said often before, Mercedes-Benz offers luxury interiors rather than the more technical ones of its main opposition. In this particular version that stands, and there's a definite sense of being cossetted in the business end of the car. And there's also an element of tech in the review car which has nice details on brushed aluminium. The rear is something else, not really for general use and hard enough for a tall person to access or egress, but great for cabin baggage rather than what you'll check into the boot.
That same boot is quite good, and the car had a skinny spare to get you through should you have the misfortune to get a puncture.
The big engines news from Mercedes-Benz over the last couple of years is that they have become ever more efficient. In the case of the 2.1 diesel under the bonnet here, it is pushing out 167hp, offers an A-rated tax break, the equivalent of 64mpg, and a comfortable sprint to 100km/h in under nine seconds. This car has a 7-speed autobox that's right up there in refinement with competitors, though that ups the CO2 rating to a B state. If none of that matters, you can order a whopping 6.3 V8 petrol that gives close to 500hp and can spin to 100km/h in some 4.4 seconds.
It has to be said that in the review car the diesel's idle sound is a little gruff, and even when on the move this engine settles down to a smooth but audible level. It isn't intrusive, nor irritant, but I would suggest that a little more attention paid to soundproofing would pay off in a nicer driving environment over the long haul. The driving position is good, though I bumped my head a couple of times on low headlining up front. There's a selective driving mode system that gives you eco, normal and sport. A stop-start system is standard and default, but I usually turn that off.
The C-Class Coupe range begins at €36,000 for a petrol model. The diesels start at €39,900, and this review version romps into the expensive bracket at €52,509. You select the level of image you want, and you pay your price.
