Pictures of the new C-Class Coupe have already been leaked onto the internet numerous times but now Mercedes-Benz has finally spilled the beans on its new 3-Series Coupe and A5 rival, making it all official ahead of its imminent Geneva unveiling.
The company makes no bones about that fact that it is targeting new (read, younger) clients by extending its compact sedan line-up with a proper two-door coupe for the first time ever. Best of all, it's heading to South Africa, the local launch slated for September or October this year.
Some traditionalists might not like that the Coupe's design has shifted away from that classical pillarless window design that Mercedes coupes are renowned for, yet its sleek shape is unlikely to fall foul of many eyes.
Typical coupe design cues at play here include a long bonnet, steeply raked windscreen, sloping roof and a short rear end, although the front and rear styling remains almost identical to that of the sedan.
On the engine front, the C Coupe offers a choice of up to five engines on European markets, and although Mercedes-Benz SA cannot confirm the local engine line-up at present, our bets are on the C250 and C350 petrol versions coming here. Both engines boast direct petrol injection and are mated to the latest seven-speed automatic transmission.
The C350, a 3498cc V6, delivers 225kW at 6500rpm and 370Nm at 3500rpm, while the C250 is a 1.8-litre turbo-charged four-cylinder that's good for 150kW at 5500rpm and 310Nm at 2000rpm. Other engines on offer include a 115kW/250Nm version of the aforementioned petrol as well as turbodiesels in 125kW/400Nm C220 CDI and 150kW/500Nm C250 CDI guise.
As for chassis dynamics, the Coupe, of course, mirrors the sedan with its rear wheel drive configuration as well as three-link front axle and multi-link rear suspension set-up.
However, the Coupe has Agility Control as standard, this adaptive damping system automatically adjusting the shock absorber impulses for a more comfortable ride in normal conditions and sharper handling when you're cornering at speed.
Moving inside, the instrument panel features three tube rings with a metallic finish, the new three-spoke steering wheel features a flat bottom and comes standard with shift paddles.
The stepped top of the dashboard also accommodates the standard 5.8-inch central display and continues onto the front passenger side as a discreet light-catching contour.
This Coupe is strictly a four-seater and the rear seats can be folded to increase luggage space.
For gadget freaks, this vehicle features the latest telematics generation. Major improvements include greater operating convenience, larger displays, phone book transfer, wireless Bluetooth audio streaming and a USB interface now located in the centre armrest.
Nifty new features (at least for Europe) include a special destination search via Google, which even gives you the option of downloading a route that's been previously configured on a PC using Google Maps and sent to the car. The optional Comand navigation system also has a new 3D display with city views.
On the safety front, the C Coupe is available with numerous fancy driving assistance systems, including Attention Assist drowsiness detection, Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist, among others.