2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe revealed

Arriving on Australian roads in mid-2016 and officially premiering next month, Mercedes-Benz overnight revealed details of the second-generation C-Class coupe.

We won’t see the new C-Coupe in the flesh until October’s Frankfurt motor show, the Stuttgart brand’s soft reveal of the two-door brings plenty of detail about the svelte new model.

Much like its C-Class sedan counterpart, the Coupe shares obvious DNA with the larger S-Class. That’s keeping the faith with the historical direction of the C-Class aesthetic, which usually demonstrates the closest family ties with the S-Class of the day.

The shapely tail of the two-door is particularly reminiscent of the handsome rear-end of the current S-Class Coupe, which sits as the flagship of the Mercedes-Benz range.

Dramatic profile surfacing on the two-door adds an element of drama missing from the elegant—but restrained—C-Class sedan and wagon.

The two-door grows a substantial 95mm over the first-generation Coupe that it replaces, creating an even longer aesthetic with widened haunches and classic rear-drive proportions.

While the launch models will exclusively feature four-cylinder petrol and diesel power, performance models are on the way. Hotter C-Class coupes will include the very warm  C450 AMG Sport, making use of a 270kW turbocharged V6. The full-fire C63 AMG S will, like the sedan, make 375kW and 700Nm from its four-litre, hot-V eight-cylinder.

The new C63 AMG S has big shoes to fill, with the first-generation model’s final-run C63 Edition 507 still at the front of mind. The biggest switch from the old shape at the high-end remains the switch from a 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 to the new twin-charging, downsized four-litre. In sedan form, it’s clear that the move to forced induction has only shifted performance up to a higher plateau while retaining most of the aspirated unit’s character.

Read more about the 2016 Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe in our dedicated coverage.

Launching in the $60,000s range, a selection of four-cylinders will provide popular in the Australian market. We’re likely to see two petrols—the 135kW C200 Coupe and the 155kW C250, both two-litre donks—and at least one diesel in the form of the 150kW C250 Bluetec Coupe.

The initial four-cylinder models will ride on a suspension tune biased for comfort. Adjustable dampers will be standard fit, and will allow the selection of a firmer and more sporting setting. Steel springs can be switched out for the marque’s Airmatic air suspension at additional cost.

Additional use of aluminium construction for key surfaces has brought the overall mass down over the outgoing car. The bonnet, boot, and fenders will be cut from aluminium—leading to performance, handling and economy gains, though we won’t know official numbers for some time.

It’s slipperier, too, with a drag coefficient confirmed at 0.26Cd.

A detailed breakdown of launch engines, performance figures, and more information on an outlook for Australian availability will be forthcoming at next month’s Frankfurt motor show.