SEPANG: The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is launched in Malaysia today in three variants with prices starting at around RM309,000.
The C 200 Coupe is retailing at RM308,888, C 250 Coupe at RM333,888 and C 300 Coupe at RM388,888 (all prices OTR without insurance but with GST).
Present at the launch held at the Sepang F1 circuit was Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador David Coulthard who had flew in from London to attend the event.
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As the sportiest variant of the C-Class, the coupe has intelligent lightweight construction with a higher proportion of aluminium to help make it lighter than its predecessor. Light-alloy components include the wings, bonnet and boot lid. The body is also now much stiffer and stronger, thanks to the use of high-strength materials, which has a positive effect on not only driving dynamics and noise levels but also crash safety.
A sporty striking front section featuring diamond radiator grille and long bonnet gives way to a crouched greenhouse whose lines flow into a powerful-looking rear end. A high beltline and frameless doors with free-standing exterior mirrors underscore the streamlined, sporty body that boasts a Cd value of 0.26.
Coulthard (left) and Raine with the C 200 Coupe.
Clean lines and sensually arranged surfaces structure the side sections into vivid light and shadow effects. One particular highlight is the long drawn-out dropping line typical of a coupé. In contrast to the C-Class sedan, the dropping line extends further past the rear wheel arch. To underscore the Coupé's sporty disposition, the suspension is 15mm lower than the sedan, giving it a very sporty stance when combined with the 18-inch AMG 5-spoke light alloy wheels on the C 200 Coupé and 19-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels in the C 250 Coupé and C 300 Coupé.
The interior projects an athletic and youthful charm. Driver and passengers enjoy an ambience that resembles that of the C-Class sedan yet is sporty. Flowing forms characterise the centre console as well as the door and rear side panelling, which merge into one another to emphasise the coupé character.
A seating system including integral sports seats designed specifically for the Coupé offers sporty comfort. An automatic belt extender also offers convenience. The choice of materials and the workmanship have a hand-crafted feel with high-class appeal. The C-Class Coupé also stands out as a special upholstery colour combinations of saddle brown and black and porcelain have been designed for it.
All three versions come in AMG Line as standard, with special bumpers and sills featuring AMG body styling, a diamond radiator grille with pins in chrome and 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels. Interior highlights of the AMG Line include exclusive touches such as upholstery in ARTICO man-made leather/DINAMICA microfibre in black with contrasting topstitching, a multifunction sports steering wheel with flat bottom and AMG sports pedals. The trim in open-pore black ash, combined with aluminium in the dashboard and the doors, complete the look.
The new multimedia generation offers intuitive controls with animations and visual effects. Frontbass ensures a listening experience almost on a par with a concert hall – especially if the car is equipped with the Burmester sound system. The Frontbass system uses the space within the cross-member and side member in the body structure as a resonance chamber for the bass speakers. The Burmester sound system is available as standard in the C 250 Coupé and C 300 Coupé.
Three petrol engines with ECO start/stop function are available for the Coupé. They are all 2.0-litre engines and consume up to 20% less fuel. The output spectrum ranges from C 200 (184hp) and C 250 (211hp) models and the C 300 (245hp). Power is sent to the road via the 7G-TRONIC PLUS 7-speed automatic transmission.
Five driving modes are available for the driver to play with: ECO, Comfort, Sport, Sport + and Individual. Selecting "Individual" allows the driver to customise the vehicle settings to personal preferences.
The suspension of the new C-Class Coupé promises a high level of comfort with low road roar and tyre vibration. A new 4-link front axle with wheel suspension decoupled from the spring strut plays a part in the agile handling characteristics. This enables sporty axle kinematics for plenty of grip and high lateral stability. As a result, the suspension responds more sensitively to steering movements and allows a sporty, agile driving style. Multi-link independent rear suspension with 5 links ensures excellent wheel location qualities and straight-line stability.
Two suspensions with selective damping are available: a comfortable AGILITY CONTROL suspension with sporty character and a ride height lowered by 15mm compared with the C-Class sedan on the C 200 Coupé and a sports suspension with tauter springing and damping including Sports Direct-Steer system for even more agile handling on the C 250 Coupé and C 300 Coupé.
Standard safety kit include nine airbags, ABS, stability control, adjustable ATTENTION ASSIST and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS. Additional safety systems such as blind spot detection and rearview camera are options.
COMAND Online in the C 300 Coupé provides not only a larger display with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels, it also allows digital TV/radio reception and, in addition to other features, offers fast hard-disc navigation, integral W-LAN hotspot functionality and the LINGUATRONIC voice control system. The Audio 20 CD - available in C 200 Coupé and C 250 Coupé - and COMAND Online all offer basic telephony as standard, which links up a mobile phone to the vehicle via a standardised Bluetooth interface.
"The new C-Class Coupé ... is the symbol of perfect proportions, combining thrilling design with agile sportiness and modern luxury," said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia sales & marketing vice-president Mark Raine.
