After a leaked image and a small cameo in a super bow commercial, Mercedes-Benz has finally decided to give its new C-Class coupe an official reveal.
The C-Class coupe will come in two flavours: C250 and C350. The former will get a 1.8 litre turbocharged four cylinder engine that’s good enough for 201 horsepower and is the same engine found in the new SLK 250. The C350, on the other hand, gets a much more desirable 3.5 litre V6 that makes 304 horses. An AMG version is expected well down the road.
And here is why I don’t like this car:
Firstly, it’s going to be 7-speed automatic only. How can a car company build a coupe wherein the only reason why coupes exist is to exude sportiness and performance, yet doesn’t offer a manual transmission.
Secondly, the C-Class coupe is rear wheel drive only. Mercedes-Benz makes quite a decent all-wheel drive system and in fact 80% of Mercedes’ are purchased with 4Motion.
Thirdly, while it’s an attractive design, it seems half-assed. All Mercedes did was take two doors off the sedan and lowered the roof line. There’s nothing else that really sets it apart from the sedan.
If you look at BMW’s 3-series coupe, Audi’s A5 and Infiniti’s G37 coupe all can be had with manual transmissions, all can be had with all-wheel drive and all have unique design elements from their sedan counterparts. They didn’t just take the rear doors off, there was actual thought put into the design process.
It was a good try Mercedes, but I think you missed the mark with this one.
[Mercedes-Benz]
Why are people jumping up and down about a manual transmission? Who wants an awkward clutch pedal and slow shifting, ungainly manual stick on a luxury car like this? I could see that 30 years ago but today, we have fast shifting 7 speed autos with nice floor shifters and even paddle shifters. The C coupe is a luxury car for guys like me who hate for doors. I’m also OK with the roof. If you don’t like this car, go buy a Porche. I will be ordering a C250 at the first opportunity unless the car comes with the retarded start stop function as rumoured. There is no way I will drive a car with that feature.
Simmer down there, Dave. All I said was the lack of a manual transmission OPTION is a big mistake considering all its rivals have one. I personally think that I should drive my car, not that it should drive me and automatic transmissions remove driver involvement. But, as you said, some people prefer that and that’s okay, but we should have the option to choose which transmission we want.
And by the way, where can you buy a new Porsche for the price of a C-Class coupe? Stick to comparing apples to apples here.
agree with dave. this car is not meant for everyone but i for one could not bother with a manual again. we are not all purist racing drivers and mb knows who has the cash. spent my life automating things – last thing i want for fun is an outdated experience.