Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe 180 BlueEFFICIENCY AMG Sport Edition 3dr Car Review - April 2012

The lowered suspension delivered with the AMG Sport package is a valuable addition to the C-Class Coupe, as it means the car can really attack the corner. The ride is a little firm but still takes most of the bumps out of the road, while the steering is responsive with plenty of feedback. The driving position is good offering plenty of adjustment in the driving seat and the steering wheel to allow people of all shapes and sizes to get comfortable, but the visibility to the rear isn’t great.

The engine performance delivered by 1.8 litre engine is quite good, with acceleration from 0-62mph happening in 9.0 seconds. The top speed of 140mph means that it is well within its comfort zone when travelling at motorway speeds. The cabin is also very refined with a minimal amount of wind noise and only a little bit of road noise to be heard at pace.

As the name suggests the C-Class Coupe is based on the C-Class saloon, and as such the styling of the car is fairly conservative, although the large Mercedes-Benz logo on the chrome grille is still very attractive. The roof does taper a little more towards the back than it does in the saloon, while the back end does look good with the large rear window and the tidy tail light cluster. Inside the cabin the car is very classy and comfortable, and the dashboard is attractive and easy to read.

This may be the entry level version of the C-Class Coupe, but it does still have a reasonable level of equipment, including the 18-inch AMG alloy wheels. The CD stereo comes with a multi CD changer, and it also boasts Bluetooth connectivity. The inclusion of cruise control and climate control help to give the impression that this is an aspiring Grand Tourer rather than just a coupe.

Naturally, the Coupe version isn’t quite as practical as the C-Class saloon, but this car still boasts a decent level of space in the cabin, accommodating four adults, although the headroom is slightly limited in the rear seats. It also comes with a reasonably sized boot which is a legacy of its saloon roots. The reliability delivered by Mercedes-Benz is one of the best on the market, and the C-Class Coupe is matching this so far.

The car is also very safe to drive, having been awarded five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test. A range of airbags including a driver’s knee airbag help to protect the driver and passengers in the case of an accident, and the C-Class Coupe also boasts some of the most advanced driver’s aids to help keep all four wheels on the road.

With a list price of £30, 220, this version of the C-Class Coupe is the most affordable on the market and is likely to be the biggest seller because of the decent performance and the attractive looks.

The running costs for the C-Class Coupe aren’t too bad, but the large alloy wheels do have an impact on the efficiency of the car, with the 1.8 litre engine delivering an average 38.7mpg. The insurance group is fairly high meaning that premiums aren’t going to be particularly cheap, but desirability and affordability means that resale values should be quite competitive. The C-Class Coupe is supplied with a three year unlimited mileage warranty and also has roadside breakdown assistance during this period.