Luxury cars are all the rage right now. Even if you're not in the market for a “luxury car” you still want luxurious features and amenities to appear in your econobox purchase. Manufacturers recognize this, from the bottom of the bunch right up to the top. They all recognize the consumer's need for overall quality in assembly and materials used.
For companies like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volvo (just to name a few), making sure their products' quality is a step above the rest takes very little effort, and so they can focus on bigger and better things: like performance and driveability.
Such is the case with the brand new 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe. Recently separated from the CLK class, the new two-door C-Class is offered in two variants, C250 and C350. I spent the week behind the “baby” of the bunch, the C250. And while it might be the younger sibling, it is by no means living in its bigger brother's shadow.
Looking mean
Since the introduction of the SLS AMG, Mercedes-Benz has transferred the uber-aggressive look of the sports car to the rest of its lineup. While not an exact match by any means – because, really, the SLS AMG stands alone for so many reasons – there are definitely hints of the two-seater's front fascia across the Merc family nowadays, and that's just fine with me.
Decked out in white with an all-glass, tinted black roof, my 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe was dressed to kill. While at first glance the new C-Class coupe looks simple on the outside, upon closer inspection it's the small details that make it so appealing.
For starters, the aggressive two-bar front grille and oversized MB logo coupled with the scowling headlights makes for an impressively intimidating road warrior look. Let your eye travel down the side of the Merc and you'll see an oh-so subtle hipline just below the beltline that gives the Merc a sexy, angular look. An upturned rear eliminates the need for a wing, but offers the same sporty effect.
From the outside, there's no denying the C250 Coupe is a head-turner – especially at night. It's amazing how two simple lines of LED fog lights can still garner so much attention.
For companies like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volvo (just to name a few), making sure their products' quality is a step above the rest takes very little effort, and so they can focus on bigger and better things: like performance and driveability.
Such is the case with the brand new 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe. Recently separated from the CLK class, the new two-door C-Class is offered in two variants, C250 and C350. I spent the week behind the “baby” of the bunch, the C250. And while it might be the younger sibling, it is by no means living in its bigger brother's shadow.
Looking mean
Since the introduction of the SLS AMG, Mercedes-Benz has transferred the uber-aggressive look of the sports car to the rest of its lineup. While not an exact match by any means – because, really, the SLS AMG stands alone for so many reasons – there are definitely hints of the two-seater's front fascia across the Merc family nowadays, and that's just fine with me.
Decked out in white with an all-glass, tinted black roof, my 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe was dressed to kill. While at first glance the new C-Class coupe looks simple on the outside, upon closer inspection it's the small details that make it so appealing.
For starters, the aggressive two-bar front grille and oversized MB logo coupled with the scowling headlights makes for an impressively intimidating road warrior look. Let your eye travel down the side of the Merc and you'll see an oh-so subtle hipline just below the beltline that gives the Merc a sexy, angular look. An upturned rear eliminates the need for a wing, but offers the same sporty effect.
From the outside, there's no denying the C250 Coupe is a head-turner – especially at night. It's amazing how two simple lines of LED fog lights can still garner so much attention.
Cramped creature comforts
There's no denying that the cockpit of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe is well-appointed. Decked out in black leather with chromed trim accents, my tester was looking dapper and oh-so modern. New for the C-Class coupe this year is an integrated entertainment screen in the dash instead of a pop-up number. This helps the flow of the dash and keeps the look of the interior intact.
Perhaps one of my favourite features on any Merc is the simplistic gauges behind the race-inspired, flat-bottomed steering wheel. Sophisticated and no-fuss, I love that they're there for a purpose: speed, revs, gas and temperature. Done. No faffing about with unnecessary information like so many companies are apt to do these days.
Equipped with an iDrive-esque knob to navigate the COMAND onboard entertainment and navigation system, the C250 was not my favourite in terms of technology. The system is rudimentary and almost too simple. It could stand to see a serious overhaul in future models.
As this is a two-door model, that's also been lowered for the 2012 MY, space in the back is cramped. Front-seat occupants will be happy with their seating arrangements, however, anyone in the rear will want the trip to end as quickly as possible – no matter how much they're enjoying the sound of the C250's exhaust.
Merc welcomes back the 4-cylinder
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe's engine features the long-lost four-cylinder. Outfitted with a 1.8L four-cylinder turbocharged number, the C250's performance figures might not seem that impressive (201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque), but they do the job quite nicely.
I will admit, I was a little annoyed with the lazy throttle response when the car is in “E” mode (eco), but pop it into “S” (sport) and you're good to go. Coupled with Merc's seven-speed autobox, the C250 can be quite responsive. I did long for paddle shifters on the steering wheel, and think they'd make piloting the baby C-Class coupe much more exhilarating.
There's no denying that the cockpit of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe is well-appointed. Decked out in black leather with chromed trim accents, my tester was looking dapper and oh-so modern. New for the C-Class coupe this year is an integrated entertainment screen in the dash instead of a pop-up number. This helps the flow of the dash and keeps the look of the interior intact.
Perhaps one of my favourite features on any Merc is the simplistic gauges behind the race-inspired, flat-bottomed steering wheel. Sophisticated and no-fuss, I love that they're there for a purpose: speed, revs, gas and temperature. Done. No faffing about with unnecessary information like so many companies are apt to do these days.
Equipped with an iDrive-esque knob to navigate the COMAND onboard entertainment and navigation system, the C250 was not my favourite in terms of technology. The system is rudimentary and almost too simple. It could stand to see a serious overhaul in future models.
As this is a two-door model, that's also been lowered for the 2012 MY, space in the back is cramped. Front-seat occupants will be happy with their seating arrangements, however, anyone in the rear will want the trip to end as quickly as possible – no matter how much they're enjoying the sound of the C250's exhaust.
Merc welcomes back the 4-cylinder
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe's engine features the long-lost four-cylinder. Outfitted with a 1.8L four-cylinder turbocharged number, the C250's performance figures might not seem that impressive (201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque), but they do the job quite nicely.
I will admit, I was a little annoyed with the lazy throttle response when the car is in “E” mode (eco), but pop it into “S” (sport) and you're good to go. Coupled with Merc's seven-speed autobox, the C250 can be quite responsive. I did long for paddle shifters on the steering wheel, and think they'd make piloting the baby C-Class coupe much more exhilarating.
If power and performance are what you're looking for in a C-Class, I'd recommend looking at the C250's bigger (and stronger) siblings in the C350 (302 hp, 273 lb-ft) and the psychotic C 63 AMG (451 hp, 443 lb-ft). Blissfully, all three push their power out through the rear wheels, which automatically makes for more spirited driving when pushed to the max.
One more element I thought was missing in the C250 was the exhaust and engine noise. While it was possible to make the exhaust bark, it meant pushing your revs quite high and driving a bit like a maniac; and while that's fun to do on occassion, under everyday circumstances, it just isn't feasible.
Perhaps it was the coupe configuration that had me wishing the C250 felt and sounded sportier, but something seemed to be missing. It often felt heavy when handling and slow on the pickup when accelerating.
There's no denying that the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe is a gorgeous car made with high-quality products, and the price for an entry-level C250 really isn't that staggering (MSRP of $39,900). However, I can't help but feel something is missing in the genetic makeup.
One more element I thought was missing in the C250 was the exhaust and engine noise. While it was possible to make the exhaust bark, it meant pushing your revs quite high and driving a bit like a maniac; and while that's fun to do on occassion, under everyday circumstances, it just isn't feasible.
Perhaps it was the coupe configuration that had me wishing the C250 felt and sounded sportier, but something seemed to be missing. It often felt heavy when handling and slow on the pickup when accelerating.
There's no denying that the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe is a gorgeous car made with high-quality products, and the price for an entry-level C250 really isn't that staggering (MSRP of $39,900). However, I can't help but feel something is missing in the genetic makeup.
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