There are just a few weeks since mercedes unveiled the new C-Class, that will be presented at Geneva Motor Show and there are allready rumors about coupe and station wagon versions. In 2009, Mercedes will launch the Sports Coupe version that will compete with models like the next Audi A5 Coupe, Volkswagen Scirocco and BMW 3-Series Coupe. The prices are rumored to remain on the level of the predecessor.

A Sports Coupe version for the C-Class was first unveiled in 2001 at Los Angeles Auto Show. The car was smaller than the C-Class sedan and it was powered by 2.3-litre engine four-cylinder engine delivering 197 hp. In 2005 the C-Class was droped from the USA line-up and there were rumors that Merceds will discontinue the C-Class sport coupe after just one generation.

But last year Mercedes has announced that the second generation C-Class Sports Coupe is going to be produced. Comparing to the sedan version it will be a few inches shorter and lower.

The second-generation C-Class sports coupe will receive a new steel body shell and a heavily reworked interior, both sharing styling cues with next-year's C-Class sedan and wagon.

The next generation Sports Coupe will be powered by a range of engines starting from a base turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder gas engine to a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 common-rail diesel. The 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine will deliver from 136 to 170 hp and the V6 engine will deliver from 200 to 270 hp. Comparing to the first generation model the new one will be sold exclusively with rear-wheel drive in a bid to streamline operations. All models in the new C-Class Sport Coupe will come equipped with a six-speed transmission.

The top of the range, the C350, powered by a V6 engine and delivering 270 hp will have a top speed of 155 mph and will make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 6 seconds.

If the rumors are true and the new generation pricing will remain on the level of the predecessor, we can expect the prices to start from $30.000.

We don't know yet if the new generation Sports Coupe will be available in North America because the sales of the first-generation C-Class sport coupe failed to live up to expectations when it was launched in the U.S.

-----

History

2001 - 2005 Mercedes C-Class Sports Coupe

Mercedes unveiled the C-Class Sports Coupe for the first time in 2001. The Sportcoupé was actually a three-door hatchback made to counter the BMW Compact, but like its competitor, it proved unpopular with the younger buyers it was targeted towards, due to high prices compared to the lower entry-level models it was competing against, a cramped cabin, and handling problems when compared to the sedan. It was removed from the US lineup in 2005.

"The C-class sports coupé marks yet another milestone in our successful strategic product initiative. In its design, specification and engineering, the coupé typifies our strategy of creating new, high-growth market segments and sparking enthusiasm for Mercedes-Benz in new customers."

All the technical innovations already incorporated into the trend-setting C-class saloons as standard equipment are also to be found in the C-class sports coupé -- from windowbags to the Electronic Stability Program ESP, from the adaptive driver and passenger airbags to Headlamp Assist. Other milestones like the COMAND operating and display system with dynamic route guidance, the LINGUATRONIC voice control system for the telephone and radio, the sensorcontrolled THERMOTRONIC luxury automatic climate control with activated charcoal filter and state-of-the-art telematics services are optionally available.

Inside, the tone is set by aluminium trim strips, a three-spoke steering wheel with illuminated controls for the radio, telephone and other functions, together with a sporty cockpit design. With its perfected ergonomics, the interior fits like a perfectly tailored garment. The driver has all the controls at his fingertips – a key requirement for more dynamic driving. The seat cushions and backrests of the comfortable two single seats in the rear can be folded out of the way to create a level loading area. This and the large boot lid of the sports coupé give estate-like adaptability: depending on the position of the rear seats, the load space can be increased from 310 litres to as much as 1100 litres (measured according to the VDA method).

For drivers who hanker for even more in the way of sportiness, Mercedes-Benz offers the EVOLUTION sports package. 17 inch alloy rims, size 225/45 R 17 wide tyres, lowered sports suspension, leather-trimmed sports steering wheel and other high-class equipment features all accentuate the sporty qualities of the sports coupé. Also available is the EVOLUTION AMG sports package, with body and suspension components supplied by Mercedes-AMG. In this case the sports coupé rides on size 225/45 R 17 tyres at the front and size 245/40 R 17 tyres at the rear.

The sports coupé is powered by state-of-the-art high-performance four-cylinder engines. The high-torque 2.3-litre engine (145 kW/197 hp) from the SLK roadster propels the new C 230 KOMPRESSOR sports coupé from 0 to 100 km/h in just eight seconds and gives it a top speed of 240 km/h. The engine line-up also includes the 120 kW/163 hp 2.0-litre supercharged engine, the four-cylinder 95 kW/ 129 hp engine of the C 180 and the 2.2-litre common-rail direct-injection unit developing 105 kW/143 hp and offering NEDC combined fuel consumption of just 6.2 l/100 km (provisional figures).

-----

Competitors

2008 Volkswagen Scirocco

Volkswagen will unveil the Scirocco in 2008. It will a 2+2 based on the Volkswagen Golf chassis and will use the same 1.4 liter twin-charged (SuperTurbo) engine as the Volkswagen Golf GT. The price will be somewhre between the Golf and Eos, an will start from 28000$.

The entry-level model will get the company’s new 1.4-litre Twincharger FSI unit and it will also be available with the GTI’s 147kW 2-litre turbocharged engine. Under the bonnet of the range-topping model will the new 3.2-litre V6 engine of the Golf R32.

2008 Audi A5 Coupe

At Geneva Motor Show, Audi will unveil the A5 Coupe that will go on sale in early 2007 as a 2008 model. The car will share styling cues with the Nuvolari and Shooting Brake concepts and a platform with the next-generation A4 and Volkswagen’s forthcoming upscale coupe.

The A5 will be availible in both V6 and V8 versions, the same engines that are found on the A6 sedan and wagon. The 3.2 liter V6 engine will deliver arround 220 hp-255 hp, while the V8 engine will go up to 350 hp. Additionally, it is very likely to see an updated version of the A5 known as the RS5, that will be powered by an ultra powerful 420 horsepower engine.

The A5 will also be available with diesel engines: the four cylinder delivering arround 160 hp and the six cylinder TDIs delivering 170 and 250 hp.

The top speed will be electronically limited to 155 mph and the 0 to 60 mph sprint it is expected to be made in 5.8 seconds.

BMW 3-Series Coupe

The new BMW 3 Series Coupe is available with a choice of two six-cylinder engines including the world’s first inline six with twin turbos, high precision fuel injection, and an all-aluminum crankcase. It is the most powerful engine within BMW’s wide range of inline six driving machines that does not wear an “M” badge. This brand-new version develops maximum output of 300 hp in US-spec from 3.0 liters and generates peak torque of 300 lb-ft for powerful acceleration in any situation.

The all-new Coupé bodyshell clothes the twin-turbo 3.0-litre engine in the new BMW 335i SE that develops 306hp and 295 lbs-ft of torque between 1,300 - 5,000rpm. With such performance statistics, the 335i forms the pinnacle of the new 3 Series range.

The 335i SE Coupé accelerates from zero to 62mph in 5.5 seconds, and, if left unchecked, would travel on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. This level of performance is made possible by two turbochargers, each supplying compressed air to three cylinders each. The use of two smaller units ensures that the turbochargers react more quickly to changes in the throttle position all the way to the 7,000rpm red line while also eliminating the previous scourge of turbocharged engines – ‘turbo lag’.