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| Six photos below optimized for 800x600 screen resolution............406KB | Updated August 27th 2000 |
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| Photo copyright: DaimlerChrysler Further preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster |
DaimlerChrysler Press Text written by Christof Vieweg, August 18th 2000
Young, dynamic, innovative and exciting:
The C-class Sports Coupé
· Stand-alone model with the same innovative engineering
as the saloon
· World premiere for new panoramic sliding sunroof
and SEQUENTRONIC
· EVOLUTION sports package with light-alloy rims
and sports suspension
· Engine range from 95 kW/129 hp to 145 kW/197
hp
Stuttgart The new C-class is still in the news: just
four months after the start of series production of the saloon version,
Mercedes-Benz is now presenting a further, quite distinct model the C-class
sports coupé. This attractive two-door model will be displayed
to the public for the first time at the Paris Motor Show on 28 September
this year.
"The name Sports Coupé really sums up what this
fascinating car is all about", said Professor Juergen Hubbert, Board Member
of DaimlerChrysler AG and responsible for the Mercedes-Benz Passenger Car
Division. "As a two-door car, it underlines the dynamic and progressive
nature of the C-class particularly clearly, while its youthful appearance
sets new trends for sporty, exciting driving with the high standards of
engineering typical of Mercedes."
Temperament, performance and youthful charm can, quite
literally, be seen in the face of the C-class sports coupé: the
louvred radiator grille so typical of the brand, with the three-pointed
star in the middle, clearly identifies the two-door car as a member of
the Mercedes sports car club.
The even more striking, elliptical shape of the four
front headlights and the powerful proportions of the bodywork also characterise
the sports coupé, which is thus established as the youngster in
the Mercedes-Benz C-class family, taking a quite distinct position alongside
the saloon.
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| Photo copyright: DaimlerChrysler Further preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster |
Cutting-edge design with practical advantages for distinctive
rear end
A further characteristic feature of the completely re-worked
coupé design is the high rear end with its integrated spoiler and
the dark tinted panel between the rear lights. The Mercedes styling
team have intentionally sent a clear message with these distinctive lines,
in order to emphasise even more the dynamic, state-of-the-art character
of their new two-door model and to strengthen awareness for the sports
coupé.
Practical requirements were even more important than
formal ones when it came to defining the shape of the car's rear end.
In the interests of driving safety, the high edge of the coupé's
rear spoiler enables a powerful dynamic downforce to be imposed on the
rear axle, while the intriguingly designed panel also serves as a window,
thus giving the driver exceptionally good rear visibility, particularly
for a coupé and especially when parking.
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| Photo copyright: DaimlerChrysler Further preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster |
New panoramic sliding sunroof for plenty of fresh air
and light in the interior
A brighter interior and a unique open-air experience
are the benefits to be gained from the optio-nally available panoramic
sliding sunroof. From the front windscreen through to the rear spoiler,
everything is glass. Just press a button, and the front half of the roof
glides towards the rear, leaving a roof opening that is about a third larger
than a conventional sunroof. And because the front part of the panoramic
sliding sunroof slides along the outside of the car, it doesn't affect
the passengers' headroom. Two electrically operated roller blinds
on the inside shield the coupé's interior from the sun when the
sunroof is closed.
 |
| Photo copyright: DaimlerChrysler Further preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster |
Compact dimensions but plenty of space for four passengers
The new model's powerful and dynamic appearance is also
largely due to its compact dimensions, together with a suspension which
is ten millimetres lower than the saloon's. The sports coupé
is 4343 millimetres long, and thus 183 millimetres shorter than the C-class
saloon while its height, at 1406 millimetres, is 20 millimetres lower.
And yet the two-door version still has plenty of space for four passengers.
The driver and front-seat passenger have contoured sports seats with good
la-teral support, while elbowroom, legroom and headroom, as well as the
adjustable range of the seats, are almost as generous as in the saloon.
The two rear seats are asymmetrically divided and can be folded forward
either individually or together, thus increasing the maximum loadspace
vo-lume to 1100 litres. The tailgate makes easy work of loading
this spacious luggage area.
High-quality trim elements made of aluminium, a three-spoke
steering wheel with illuminated control buttons for the car radio, telephone
and other functions, as well as the sporty styling of the cockpit, set
the tone in the interior. The optimum ergonomics ensure that the
interior "fits like a glove". The driver has all the instruments
at his or her fingertips an important factor for safe, dynamic driving.
EVOLUTION sports package for drivers who hanker for
even more sportiness
Equipped as it is with the same innovative engineering
as is to be found in the saloon, the C-class sports coupé is the
ideal vehicle for some lively and enjoyable driving even more so, when
fitted with the EVOLUTION sports package which, apart from 17-inch
light-alloy rims, offers wider tyres of size 225/40 R 17 (front and rear),
a lowered sports suspension, a leather sports steering wheel and further
high-quality equipment accessories to bring the sporty qualities of the
new two-door Mercedes clearly to the fore.
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| Photo copyright: DaimlerChrysler Further preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster |
New C 230 KOMPRESSOR with a top speed of up to 240
km/h
State-of-the-art four-cylinder engines with true high
performance potential are what drive the sports coupé. With
the high-torque 2.3-litre engine (145 kW/197 hp) already familiar from
the SLK Roadster, the new C 230 KOMPRESSOR sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in
just eight seconds and can reach a top speed of 240 km/h. Also in
the engine range are the 120 kW/163 hp 2.0-litre mechanically supercharged
engine, the four-cylinder engine from the C 180 (95 kW/ 129 hp) and the
2.2-litre CDI engine with Common Rail direct injection, which has a power
output of 105 kW/143 hp and a fuel consumption of just 6.2 litres/100 km
(NEDC overall consumption, provisi-onal figures).
Electronic gear changes with the new SEQUENTRONIC
A further new development to make its debut in the C-class
sports coupé is the optionally available automated six-speed gearbox,
SEQUENTRONIC. The dynamic driving experience is enhanced still further
by its fast, agile and precise gear changes, whilst fuel consumption is
actually reduced. The driver's intention to change gear is communicated
to the gearbox by electrical impulses, making mechanical linkages and the
clutch pedal superfluous. A light tap on the shift lever is all that
is needed for the system to declutch, change gear and engage the clutch
again. In automatic mode, the SEQUENTRONIC system makes life easier
for the driver, since it changes gear (on its own) according to the particular
driving situation.
Innovative ideas as standard from the windowbag to
the headlamp distance regulator
All the technical innovations that have already made
the saloon version of the
C-class such a trendsetter have also found their way
into the sports coupé everything from the windowbag to the Electronic
Stability Program ESP®, from the adaptive driver and passenger side
airbags to the headlamp distance regulator. The COMAND control and
display system with dynamic route guidance, the voice-activated LINGUATRONIC
system for the telephone and car radio, the automatic climate control system
THERMOTRONIC with sensor controls and active charcoal filter, sophisticated
telematics services and many other innovations from the top models in the
Mercedes-Benz range are among the further options available.
End of DaimlerChrysler press text
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| Photo copyright: DaimlerChrysler Further preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster |
MB TO OFFER TWO-DOOR C-CLASS COUPE NEXT YEAR
New Sports Coupe Will Make its World Debut at Paris
Auto Show
Montvale, NJ -- As the all-new 2001 C-Class sedan is about to go on sale in the U.S., Mercedes-Benz is announcing that it will offer a sporty two-door coupe version of the C-Class in about a year. Visually distinctive and noticeably smaller than both the C-Class sedan and the highly successful Mercedes-Benz CLK coupe line, the C-Class sports coupe will make its first public appearance at the upcoming Paris Auto Show on September 28th.
Supercharged Engine Power
A U.S. version of the new sports coupe will come with
the 2.3-liter supercharged engine that powers the popular SLK roadster,
and the new model is expected to be priced under $30,000 when it arrives
in the States next year.
The name sports coupé really sums up what this
fascinating car is all about, said Professor Jürgen Hubbert, Board
Member of DaimlerChrysler AG responsible for the Mercedes-Benz Passenger
Car Division. As a two-door car, it underlines the dynamic and progressive
nature of the C-Class particularly clearly, while its youthful appearance
sets new trends for sporty, exciting driving with the high standards of
engineering typical of Mercedes.
The new sports coupe can be distinguished by its high
rear end with an integrated spoiler (that provides aerodynamic downforce
for extra stability at cruising speeds) and a tinted panel between the
rear lights. In addition, a three-pointed star in the grill
clearly identifies the two-door coupe as one of the sportier members of
the Mercedes-Benz family.
Shorter and Lower Than the C-Class Sedan
The C-Class sports coupe is over seven inches shorter
than its sedan sibling, and the coupe is about a half inch lower as well.
However, legroom, headroom, and elbowroom, as well as the adjustment range
of the seats, are nearly as generous as in the sedan. The driver
and front passenger have contoured sports seats with extra lateral support,
while the two rear seats are asymmetrically divided and can be folded forward
either individually or together, to increase cargo volume. Low liftover
height makes easy work of loading this spacious luggage area.
The sporty styling of the cockpit is accented by high-quality
aluminium trim and a three-spoke steering wheel with illuminated control
buttons for the car radio, telephone and other functions.
Windows Between the Taillights And in the Roof
The panel between the taillights doubles as a window,
giving the driver extra visibility to the rear, which is especially helpful
when parking. The new sports coupe will also be available with an
optional panorama sliding sunroof. From the front windshield to the
rear spoiler, nearly everything is glass.
Just press a button, and the front half of the
roof glides over the rear, leaving a roof opening that is about a third
larger than a conventional sunroof. And because the front part of
the panorama sunroof slides over the outside of the car, it doesn't reduce
headroom. Two electrically operated roller blinds on the inside shade
the interior from the sun when the roof is closed.
All the technical innovations that will make the new
C-Class sedan such a trendsetter in the U.S. have also found their way
into the sports coupé everything from curtain side airbags and
the ESP stability system to the optional COMAND integrated display with
GPS navigation and an enhanced Tele Aid system.
End of DaimlerChrysler press text
Older Sportcoupe press articles and spy-photos:
New C-Class Sportcoupe W203 for Year 2000
Other C-Class articles:
C32 AMG C-Class W203
C-Class W203 Design Studies
New C-Class Sedan W203 - First View
New C-Class W203 for Year 2000
New C-Class W203 Station Wagon for Year 2001
New C-Class W203 Interior
W203 Old Spy-Photos
Last revised technically: Sept. 11th 2000...Visits
since August 26th 2000. . |
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