Mercedes C350 4MATIC Coupe

SPECIFICATIONS

1. The C350 4Matic Coupe is powered by a 3.5L V6 engine with 302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque helping it reach 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. 2. Fuel economy is rated at 19 MPG city and 27 MPG highway for the 4MATIC Coupe, while RWD coupes get 20/29 MPG. We averaged 25 MPG. 3. The C-Class Coupe starts at $37,800 for the base C250. Our C350 4MATIC Coupe starts at $45,200 and came to $54,200 after options and destination charges.

PREVIEW

“Sportier, more agile, more powerful and more fun.” This is the boast of practically every entry level luxury car released, refreshed or updated each year. Yet, there’s no surprise as to which automaker’s machine sits on the pole position when it comes to sport sedans and coupes.

That car is, of course, BMW’s highly praised 3 Series. It’s recognized as the benchmark in the segment, though recently Audi has taken the fight to its rival with the S4 and S5.

But Mercedes? Year-after-year the C-Class sedan sits just out of the spotlight, watching the main event from the best seat in the house, but as emphasized with the C-Class Coupe we have here, that’s not always a bad place to be.

With the C-Class Coupe, the brand takes the entry-level sport sedan and chops off the rear doors, offering a similar driving feel in a more attractive package and lines it up next to the wide range of other entry-level luxury coupes from BMW, Audi,Cadillac and Infiniti.

In 2013, the C-Class Coupe still won’t be giving the competition night-terrors when it comes to sporty credentials, but maybe the rest of the segment can learn a thing or two from Mercedes about how a car needs to act when it comes to delivering a luxurious and refined ride.

EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR

It’s hard to place the exterior of the C-Class. It’s handsome, with lines that all flow in the right places, but from some angles, the car looks a bit like the recently updated Honda Accord Coupe. That says more about Honda’s design than the Mercedes, but buyers spending nearly $50,000 certainly don’t want their car confused with one that costs half the price.

Up front, the design of the upgraded lighting system gives the Mercedes an imposing, almost super-villain-esque persona, while the big 18-inch AMG styled wheels on our Sport trim model play the part too.

More than anywhere else it’s the interior where the C-Class earns its keep. High-quality materials are strategically placed giving you the full luxury experience. Build quality is excellent. The black-leather with red-stitching on our tester helps portray that sinister exterior aura, but it’s the seats that are the main attraction. With Alcantara inserts and supportive, yet non-intrusive bolstering, fatigue was never a factor when driving the C-Class Coupe, even during a four or five-hour stint.

UNDER THE HOOD

New for the 2013 model year is the ability to pair Mercedes’ well-honed 4MATIC all-wheel-drive with the 3.5L V6. A combination as good as the Ali shuffle and the boxer’s signature straight jab, the coupe finally has the cred to compete with the range toppers from BMW and Audi (RS and M badges aside). The 60-degree V6 motor puts out a healthy 302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque and helps the coupe hit 60 mph in 5.9 seconds.

While not quite as fast as the 335xi or Audi S5, the C-Class Coupe feels unbelievably refined and smooth. It’s easy to appreciate the power of the car’s V6 engine, though it’s harder to get carried away with it.

Much of the magic comes from the seven-speed transmission. Give the gas pedal a brisk jab and the transmission responds by giving you a gear. Floor it and the car counters with a haymaker as it dials in the perfect gear ratio for maximum acceleration. Without provocation, the transmission is smooth and quick, with little shift-shock.