From the side, the coupé beguiles the onlooker with its compact proportions, low silhouette (41 mm flatter than the saloon) with powerful shoulders and 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 greenhouse extends far beyond the rear axle over the low-raked rear window 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 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.
The rear of the 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. A diffuser towards the bottom of the rear bumper makes the rear end look lighter and gives the vehicle a sporty and dynamic quality.
The interior: highest quality with exclusive colour accents
A highlight in the interior is the coupé seats with integral head restraints and single seats in the rear, thereby demonstrating the car’s sporty credentials to the driver. The dashboard reveals a strong, sporty and high-quality design including three tube rings with a galvanised finish. 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 communication and information unit with high-gloss areas in black and silver-coloured, galvanised keys 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. As a new feature, the trim parts are available in a porcelain piano-lacquer look in the style package and for the Edition 1, so complementing the car’s exclusive interior feel. Alternatively there is a choice of a black high-gloss piano-lacquer look, dark aluminium, AMG carbon piano-lacquer look or matt brown ash.
In general, the striking and sporty lines of the exterior are continued into the interior. For example, the doors and rear side linings pick up on the form of the coupé’s side line. The beltline, which is available in a darker contrasting tone to the door lining as an option, opens up to the front and in conjunction with the generous section of trim and top edge of the midsection creates a dynamic shape that surges forward.
More 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe Information
- 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe – In-Depth Design
- 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe – Interior
- 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe – Model Range
- 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe – Multimedia
