COTY
Gallery 1
Lots of goodness; it just doesn’t run range-deep
COTY threw up some fascinating contrasts this year, but none as compelling as the familial clash between our pool of Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe and cabrio variants. The outlying C200 rag-top and C63 S AMG Coupe were separated by nearly $80,000 and 240kW and the personalities were spread just as far.
The basics build on the C-Class sedan, with the usual trade of less practicality for an increase in style and exclusivity. Cabin architecture and design is as impressive as the four-door and wagon – although with an obvious reduction in rear space – but the dynamics have moved up a notch, certainly in the Coupe, which rides and handles with noticeably more polish.
The 375kW C63 S was one of the outright stars at the You Yangs handling course, demolishing it to a V8 soundtrack as hard-edged as anything that’s been developed there, yet also possessing a sensitive side when dialled down for everyday duties. But it also wears a correspondingly serious pricetag, one that we struggled to get our heads around: $162,115 is a serious chunk of change for a C-Class, even one that can almost pace an Audi R8.
But moving down the range brings more disappointment. The C300’s four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo manages a respectable 180kW, but turns thrashy when extended. The chassis lacks any go-faster encouragement, firmer than the sedan but despite the standard adaptive dampers, low-speed ride often feels bumpy, and little genuine feel gets past the steering’s electric assistance. It’s a sports-free coupe.
It used to be obvious that Mercedes spent as much time developing the cheap variants as the expensive ones – they’d be slower and have less kit, but the fundamentals would be just as good. These days, and especially with the C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet, that no longer feels like it’s the case.
Specs
BODY Type: 2-door coupe/cabriolet, 4 seats Boot capacity: 285/400 litres Weight: 1558 – 1917kg
DRIVETRAIN Layout: Front engine (north-south), RWD/AWD Engines: 1991cc 4cyl turbo (135kW/300Nm) 1991cc 4cyl turbo (180kW/370kW) 2143cc 4cyl turbo-diesel (150kW/500Nm) 2996cc V6 twin-turbo (270kW/520Nm) 3982cc V8 twin-turbo (375kW/700Nm) Transmissions: 7-speed automatic; 9-speed automatic
CHASSIS Tyres: 225/45R18 – 285/30R20 ADR81 fuel consumption: 4.4 – 9.4L/100km CO2 emissions: 115 – 220g/km Collision mitigation: Yes Crash rating: 5-star (ANCAP) Prices: $65,900 – $179,900
