Theres the same uninspiring engine note as in any other Mercedes using this engine, although it has been muted a bit more in this car. The engine and gearbox are a particularly pleasant combination, although not what youd call sporty. They are figures that would do justice to a small six-cylinder but, if anything, the results are somewhat better because torque peaks at a low 2,500rpm, meaning the engine pulls strongly from low speeds without needing heaps of throttle. The addition of a supercharger makes for a four-cylinder engine with added grunt, which in this case equates to a maximum 120 kilowatts of power and 230 Newton-metres of torque. Together with the five-speed auto, that suddenly makes for a $69,000 car. Then, in true Mercedes fashion, there are the options, which in the case of our test car added up considerably.Ī glass roof panel incorporating a sliding sunroof costs $3,850 extra, then theres the "Evolution" package of bigger 17-inch wheels and 225/45 tyres, tweaked suspension, a tailpipe tip and various interior trim items costing another $4,650.
#Mercedes kompressor coupe full
On the latter front, theres a wide array of safety equipment, from full-length side-window airbags to ESP stability control, and then theres the comfort and convenience of a full trip computer, cruise control, power windows and central locking. Not that theres anything plebeian about the Sports Coupes appearance or specification. Interestingly, that makes the Sports Coupe cheaper than the equivalent sedan, and that means good value if you regard it as a style-leading coupe, or possibly less so if it seems like a more downmarket hatchback. A cheaper, normally-aspirated C180 model joins the range early next year costing a few thousand dollars less than the 200Ks $57,400, or $60,500 for the automatic. Theres no doubting it looks good, but from the rear it looks anything but a Mercedes, which perhaps isnt a bad thing given the sameness of some of its sedans.įor the moment theres just the one model, powered by the C Classs supercharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine. All the body panels are different, and the effect is of a low-slung, wedge-shaped coupe with definite sporting overtones. Styling-wise, the Sports Coupe shares very little with its sedan siblings save for the trademark Mercedes grille and yet another version of the melded quad-headlight look. If you were looking for a parallel from another manufacturer, the sports coupe is something akin to BMW making the Compact hatchback models out of its 3 Series. That means it gets the same engine, transmission, suspension and basic architecture despite its unique body. The C200 Kompressor Sports Coupe (to use its full name) is interesting on a number of levels, partly because it is actually a three-door hatch based on the latest C Class sedan. So it is hardly surprising that with the new C200 Sports Coupe arriving with a pricetag of around $60,000, it is going to make ownership of a more stylish Mercedes more accessible to anyone who has lots of money, instead of just those who are rolling in it. Heady stuff indeed, especially as youre paying more for two fewer doors than the normal sedan.
The story doesnt stop there, either, because the bigger CL is a $280,000 proposition at best, or up to $350,000 for the top-line, V12-powered CL600. Up until now, the cheapest Mercedes coupe was the $87,000 CLK, and even it could cost as much as $194,000 in AMG-modified, CLK55 trim. Quite apart from entry-level models such as the tiny A Class hatchback comes the news that anyone after a two-door Benz now doesnt have to fall into the category of filthy rich. You dont have to look far to find evidence that Mercedes-Benz is hunting for younger and less affluent customers.
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For: Nice shape, decent performance, smooth-shifting automatic, useful rear seat room, fine ride.Īgainst: Rear seat awkward to access, engine note is uninspiring, small boot, free shower on opening tailgate.
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