Mercedes-Benz outs C-Class coupe pricing

MERCEDES-BENZ has announced pricing for its new-generation C-Class coupe range that rolls into showrooms in April and it is charging a premium of up to $14,500 more than the equivalent sedan variants.

A four-tier line-up of the new two-door C-Class range opens with the C200 coupe priced from $65,900 plus on-road costs. It is followed by the diesel-powered C250d coupe from $74,900 and the C300 coupe from $83,400 plus on-road costs.

These model grades represent respective increases of $4000, $4500 and $14,500 over the equivalent C-Class sedan. The C300 coupe gains extra equipment and a 25kW power increase to justify its price premium over the closely related C250 sedan.

With a Mercedes-AMG C43 coupe likely still to come, a gap exists to the Mercedes-AMG C63 S coupe priced from $162,400, or $7890 more than the C63 S sedan and $3280 more than the outgoing version.

For the non-AMG variants, the engines and specification has changed from the superseded model, and while the diesel is $2000 pricier than before, it is difficult to compare like for like with the old version that kicked off from $59,990 for the base C180.

The four-cylinder trio starts with the C200 utilising a 135kW/300Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, the C250d including a 150kW/500Nm 2.1-litre twin-turbo diesel, and the C300 featuring an uprated version of the C200's engine, producing 180kW/370Nm.

The C300 claims 0-100km/h in 6.0 seconds ahead of the C250d (6.7s) and C200 (7.3s).

Diesel power takes a commanding lead for combined cycle fuel consumption, however, its claim of 4.4 litres per 100 kilometres besting the entry-level (6.0L/100km) and higher-spec (6.6L/100km) four-cylinder petrol engines.

The 375kW/700Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 shifts the C63 S coupe to the standing start performance benchmark in 3.9s, a tenth quicker than the sedan, while claiming a combined-cycle 8.7L/100km.

The exterior of the C-Class coupe is 95mm longer than the sedan, 60mm of which is taken up by a longer bonnet. It is 40mm wider and 1mm lower than its four-door sibling, and features design exclusives such as frameless doors, diamond grille and automatic seatbelt-feeder across the range.

Standard equipment on the C200 includes AMG styling kit with 18-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension and steering, LED headlights and Garmin Map Pilot satellite navigation.

The C250d further adds 19-inch alloy wheels, full leather trim and keyless auto-entry, while the C300 adds a sports exhaust, Burmester premium audio system and Comand online navigation over both its siblings and the C250 sedan.

The C63 S coupe employs altered suspension elastokinematics compared with the sedan, a 50mm-wider rear track and larger 285mm-wide 20-inch rear tyres (the front retains 19s, but with 10mm extra tread width). Nappa leather trim, heated front seats, digital TV tuner and panoramic glass sunroof are also included.

AMG buyers can, for a further $10,900, select the C63 S Edition 1 package, adding Selenite Grey magno paint with yellow decal and wheel highlights, an aerodynamics kit, carbon-ceramic brakes, and carbon trim with diamond leather stitching inside.

Pricing for the C-Class coupe undercuts the equivalent entry-level Audi A5 1.8 TFSI ($67,810) and BMW 420i coupe ($71,100), while the 500Nm C250d compares favourably with the $1500-cheaper, 380Nm 420d.

The C300 is lineball with the 428i ($82,400), if not the A5 2.0 TFSI quattro ($75,400), and the C63 S exceeds the price of both the M4 coupe ($149,900) and RS5 ($157,510).

Last year the previous-generation C-Class coupe sold 1409 units, 412 behind the 4 Series that leads the over $80,000 sportscar segment with both coupe and convertible offerings. The C-Class convertible will arrive later this year.

The C-Class coupe will be on display at this weekend's Melbourne Grand Prix.

Orders for are being taken now, with the first vehicles due for delivery in April.

2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe pricing*

C 200 Coupe (a)	$65,900
C 250d Coupe (a)	$74,900
C 300 Coupe (a)	$83,400
AMG C 63 S Coupe (a)	$162,400

*Excludes on-road costs