Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe – Exterior

The facelifted 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe slightly updated the outlook of the front of the original vehicle launched in 2016. Unlike the C-Class sedan, only the pair of headlamps have been the largest scope of change. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe C200 gets regular LED headlamps with the pricier C300 gets Multibeam LED headlamps with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus.

Both the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe C200 and C300 gets the AMG Line styling package that includes a sporty front bumper design with ‘air curtain’ side vents and a single louvre radiator grille with chrome pins. Wheel sizes still separate them, with the C200 fitted with 18-inch size while the C300 fitted with 19-inch size.

Both variants also have the Night Package that applies gloss black on the radiator grille, side mirrors, windows surround and the aerodynamic elements on the front and rear bumpers, which look tastefully done.The Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Coupe C300 AMG Line also adds a panoramic sliding sunroof and a hands-free (foot-operated) powered trunk opening and closing. 

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe – Interior

Dashboard

The dashboard of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe has a simple T-shaped design that is highlighted by the three central air conditioning vents and the ‘waterfall-like’ console. Since there is no floor-mounted shift lever, the space has been taken up by a large storage section with a lid.

In this 2021 facelifted Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe range, both variants of the C200 and C300 see the latest 12.3-inch fully digital driver’s instrument cluster paired with the 10.25-inch central infotainment touchscreen display. Being the AMG Line, both the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe C200 and C300 variants gets the dashboard and upper sections of the door panels lined with Artico material (simulated leather) and contrasting double stitching. 

The central trim finisher, which also removed the analogue clock in the facelift timing, is a slab of full anthracite open-pore oak wood trim. The classic and understated wood trim also lines the door panels. The steering wheel is an AMG sports steering wheel wrapped with Nappa leather, flattened bottom section and also feature the new touch-control panel and shift paddles finished in exquisite satin silver.

Instrument cluster

The driver’s instrument cluster in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe C200 and C300 is the fully digital display measuring 12.3 inches. The instrument display is highly customizable, with three different themes, various driving information and other content.

Changing and scrolling through the myriad of information is done via the capacitive touch-sensitive controllers on the nice-to-hold AMG sports steering wheel. It is very intuitive after a few minutes behind the wheel.

Space and practicality

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe offers lots of headroom and legroom for the front occupants thanks to its high roofline. The rear meanwhile seats two and also have respectable space and properly sized seats. Similar to the C-Class sedan, the front armrest opens with a centrally split lid, allowing ease of use by both occupants.

The large storage space with two cupholders and room for smartphones see no changes, but the C300 gets its wireless smartphone charger placed in there. The rear seat, for two, doesn’t have an armrest but there is a shallow storage compartment with two cupholders. As such, squeezing a third person in the centre is not possible. Added practicality in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is the 40-20-20 split-folding rear seats. Boot space is rated at 335 litres. 

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe – Features

Safety features

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe continues to offer 7 airbags inclusive of a driver’s knee airbag. In terms of advanced safety systems, both variants get Mercedes-Benz proprietary Pre-safe system, Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist (AEB) and Active Parking Assist with Parktronic. The C300 adds Active Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) and a 360-degree Surround Camera system.

The new Mercedes me connected service is also standard fitted. This makes the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe connected to a dedicated service provider and some key features can be accessed from the smartphone app. A dedicated SOS button is located at the overhead switch panel.

Comfort features

Both variants of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe gets a dual-zone automatic air-conditioning system with rear vents, ambient lighting with 64 shades of colours, front seats with memory function and four-way lumbar support and stowage package.

Artico simulated leather is used on the seat upholstery of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe C200 while the C300 gets genuine cowhide. A nice feature of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is the automatic seat-belt presenter for driver and front passenger.

This mechanism reduces the strain from turning your back or overstretching your arms to reach for the seatbelts which are placed further away in a coupe. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe C300 adds the panoramic sliding moonroof.
Two USB charging ports (Type C) are located inside the centre armrest for the front occupants.

Infotainment

Both variants of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe feature the upgraded digital cockpit with the enlarged infotainment display measuring 10.25 inches. Control input can be done via touching the screen, the large touchpad or capacitive touch-sensitive pad on the steering wheel.

Smartphone connectivity is also available to both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. MBUX is not available in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe. The audio system in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is used to separate the C200 and C300. The latter gets the Burmester 13-speaker, nine-channel 590-Watt amplifier with surround sound system presented in the intricately designed metallic speaker grilles. 

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe – Powertrain

Engine

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe continues to be powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. When it debuted, the C200 displaced 2.0 litres, but the facelift timing saw the global introduction of the high-strung 1.5-litre engine with EQ Boost mild-hybrid assist. 

Mercedes-Benz then returned to the 2.0-litre engine for the C200 in August 2020 and continues to offer just this displacement. As such, outputs for the latest C-Class Coupe C200 are 204 PS/300 Nm. Meanwhile, the engine displacing the same 2.0 litres in the C300 makes 258 PS/370 Nm. There is no electric assistance/hybrid to the engines anymore.

Transmission

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Chassis

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe C200 comes with the Agility Control passive-adaptive damping that submissively adjusts to the road conditions. There is no manual control of the damping firmness. Meanwhile, the C300 comes with sports suspension.

As for tyre sizes, the coupe gets staggered sizing on both variants. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe C200 comes with 225/45R18 at the front and 245/40R18 at the rear, while the C300 sees 225/40R19 front and wider 255/35R19 tyres at the rear axle. All tyres are run-flat tyres (RFT).

Drivetrain

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission. There is no option of a 4Matic all-wheel drive with a four-cylinder engine equipped Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe in Malaysia. 

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe – Driving Performance

Engine performance

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe C200 with 204 PS/300 Nm completes the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 7.2 seconds, while the more powerful C300 with 258 PS/370 Nm stops the stopwatch at the 6.1- second mark. The top speed is 245 km/h for the lower engine output, while the C300 is limited to 250 km/h.

The previous 1.5-litre engine in the facelift while provided similar outputs to the 2.0-litre engine, there was always a sense of feeling running out of breath too soon, with the engine not pushing harder at higher speeds. Both new 2.0-litre engines are smooth and responsive, but still not able to match the unit made by BMW, in the areas of refinement and perceived power/grunt.

Transmission performance

The transmission has nine ratios, with the first to second shifts being unnoticeable. The shifts of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe 9-Gtronic transmission are smooth and well-calibrated to the intention of the driver of either on a highway cruise or needing extra power for acceleration such as overtaking.

However, there are certain conditions when the powertrain simply does not feel as punchy and responsive, something the BMW model seems to have the upper hand.

Steering and handling

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe while sporty, is not as responsive and agile as the BMW 4 Series. When driven back-to-back, the Mercedes feels less responsive, but driven insolation, it is more dynamic compared to the outgoing generations of coupes.

The Dynamic Select function allows for a choice of driving modes from comfort to sport and even a setup for Individual configuration of the steering, engine and transmission response.   

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe – Ride Comfort

Soundproofing

The soundproofing of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is a notch lower than the BMW 4 Series. We felt that there seem to be more powertrain noises being transmitted into the cabin. Wind noise however is well isolated given that the windows of coupe models are frameless.

Passenger comfort

In the aspect of passenger comfort, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe does not have a supple riding comfort, unlike the BMW 4 Series. Occupants tend to feel more harshness on uneven roads and the seats also feel less comfortable. This is a recurring theme with many Mercedes-Benz models from the mid-2010s, where riding comfort seems to be poorly executed and coupled with the large run-flat tyres with high air pressures. 

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe – Conclusion

Thanks to its great flowing looks and attractive pricing, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe was quite a success in Malaysia back in 2016. However, with the nature of these stylish, non-practical nor highly functional cars, sales have tapered down significantly.

Nonetheless, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is one of the finer coupes at this price range. BMW only has the latest 430i M Sport and has much less equipment than the C300 for the same price level. It is just a pity that the suspension always displays its negativity at many of the poorly paved roads in Klang Valley. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe handles well with good sporty feedback but the ride comfort feels too compromised.