Mercedes C204 C-Class coupe 2011 –

European market launch in June 2011

The C-Class Coupé: the perfect shape

• In a class of its own: expressive, dynamic coupé design
• Emotion: five powerful direct-injection engines to choose from
• Efficiency: ECO start/stop function fitted as standard
• Help at hand: numerous assistance systems available
• Experience: new generation of telematics with internet access

What more dynamic way to celebrate the invention of the automobile? The expressive C-Class Coupé sees Mercedes-Benz, now in its 125th year of corporate history, entering a new market segment and for the first time offering a compact coupé with classic proportions.

From the side, the new coupé beguiles the onlooker with its flat silhouette with powerful shoulders and narrow C-pillar in a classic three-box design. Typical coupé features include the short front overhang, long bonnet, steeply raked windscreen and long, stretched-out roof.

The greenhouse extends far beyond the rear axle over the low-raked rear window to a sportily short tail end. At the front, the new coupé shares the same styling as the latest C-Class and yet still has its own twist. The radiator grille has the double-louvre style typical of a coupé.

Two chrome louvres extend left and right either side of the central star, tapering off at the outer edges and creating a sporty, arrow-shaped horizontal sweep at the front end.

A highlight in the interior is the coupé seats with integral head restraints and  single seats in the rear, thereby demonstrating the car’s sporty credentials to the driver. The dashboard reveals a strong, sporty and high-quality design including three tube rings with a galvanised finish.

A large section of trim is a high-quality part of the dashboard instrument panel. This extends from the centre air vents across the front passenger side to the outer air vent, emphasising the interior’s generous proportions. For the first time in automotive engineering, the trim parts are available in a porcelain piano-lacquer look, so complementing the car’s exclusive interior feel.

The piano-lacquer look is available in conjunction with the style package or the Edition 1.

There is a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines to power the C-Class Coupé. All are equipped with direct injection and the ECO start/stop function as standard. The BlueEFFICIENCY designation indicates that they are particularly efficient in their use of fuel. All automatic versions feature the further-enhanced 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission.

The range of engines for the C-Class Coupé at a glance:

BE = BlueEFFICIENCY, * figures for manual transmission, automatic transmission in brackets

Chassis: agile handling and pure fun at the wheel

The AGILITY CONTROL suspension, which is standard equipment and has a sporty configuration, complements the dynamic engines to perfection.

This is based on an amplitude-dependent damping system: when driving normally with low shock absorber impulses, the damping forces are automatically reduced for a noticeable improvement in road roar and tyre vibration characteristics – but without any compromise in handling safety.

When shock absorber impulses are greater, for example when cornering at speed or performing evasive manoeuvres, the maximum damping forces are set and the car is effectively stabilised. The AGILITY CONTROL suspension is complemented by a rack-and-pinion steering system. Speed-sensitive steering with variable centring and a constant steering ratio is available as an option.

In addition to the AGILITY CONTROL suspension as standard, there is an optional  extra on the coupé in the form of a 15 mm lower sports suspension with harder, shorter springs, tauter shock absorbers and stronger torsion bars. Speed-sensitive sports steering is also included.

Driver assistance systems provide warnings and intervene

With nine airbags as standard, belt tensioners and belt-force limiters for all seats, the C-Class Coupé has extensive safety features. The airbags, which can deploy in milliseconds in the event of an accident, include front airbags for the driver and front passenger, a kneebag on the driver’s side, sidebags and pelvisbags in the front, as well as windowbags for the driver and the front and rear passengers.

With a number of driving assistance systems ranging from ATTENTION ASSIST to DISTRONIC PLUS, the coupé provides a comprehensive level of driver support and protection. The assistance systems are based on the latest radar, camera and sensor technology, and cover frequent accident causes such as driving too closely, fatigue and darkness.

The Mercedes-Benz management team on the C-Class Coupé:

“A sporty way to enter the world of the Mercedes-Benz coupé”

“The new generation of C-Class has been very well received by the market. Now we are going one better: the new coupé completes the best-selling model series from Mercedes-Benz and makes the brand even more interesting to new buyers.”
Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars

“Pure fun at the wheel combined with exemplary efficiency – from a technical perspective, this represents the quintessence of the new coupé. While retaining virtually identical performance, in the space of just 20 years we have halved consumption and drastically improved comfort, safety and emission characteristics at the same time. And we are certainly keeping up this speed: we are inventing the car for the second time.”
Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Daimler Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Head of Development Mercedes-Benz Cars

“In a new step for our company we are now building four models – the C-Class Coupé alongside the Saloon and Estate versions and the GLK – on a single production line at our plant in Bremen, whilst still achieving maximum quality. This gives us the flexibility to respond to changes in the market quickly and efficiently.

It is only thanks to the motivation and flexibility of our employees that we can do this with confidence. Some of our competitors envy us for this ‘Daimler spirit’.”
Dr Wolfgang Bernhard, Member of the Daimler Board of Management responsible for Production and Purchasing, Mercedes-Benz Cars

“By extending the C-Class portfolio, we are consciously targeting new customers. The new model is youthful, stylish and dynamic. What we are offering is an exceptionally sporty way to enter the world of the Mercedes-Benz coupé.”
Dr Joachim Schmidt, Member of Mercedes-Benz Cars Management responsible for Sales and Marketing

“Youthful, sporty dynamism in the classic coupé form: the C-Class Coupé also sets the pace in its segment when it comes to design. This is particularly apparent in the interior: fine materials displaying painstaking attention to detail and the generous use of trim add an exclamation mark.”
Professor Gorden Wagener, Head of Design, Mercedes-Benz Cars

The design

Dynamic with classic coupé proportions

From the side, the coupé beguiles the onlooker with its compact proportions, low silhouette (41 mm flatter than the saloon) with powerful shoulders and narrow C-pillar in a classic three-box design. Typical coupé features include the short front overhang, long bonnet, steeply raked windscreen and long, stretched out roof.

The greenhouse extends far beyond the rear axle over the low-raked rear window to a sportily short tail end.

While the wedge-shaped, sloping beltline demonstrates affinity with the C-Class, its strong upsweep into the C-pillar is an entirely distinctive element. The final part of the beltline trim moves sharply upwards to meet the roofline trim. This upsweep not only adds a sporty flourish to the way the side windows look; the shaping at the bottom of the C-pillar also enhances the powerful shoulders.

Front and rear: truly a coupé, truly C-Class At the front, the coupé shares the same styling as the latest C-Class and yet still has its own twist. The front view is dominated by the prominent radiator grille surround including the bumper. The centre air intake opens upwards, forming a visual base unit for the radiator grille which has the double-louvre style typical of a coupé.

Two chrome louvres extend left and right either side of the central star, tapering off at the outer edges and creating a sporty, arrow-shaped horizontal sweep which gives the front end a pronounced V-shape. This continues into the side sections which extend from beneath the headlamps and blend into the feature lines along the vehicle flanks, thereby linking the front end with the sides.

The side air intakes in the bumper featuring integrated, horizontal daytime running lamps are positioned low down, giving the coupé a road-hugging appearance. The shape of the clear-lens headlamps creates a dynamic impression, and acts together with the bonnet, radiator grille and bumper trim to reinforce the pronounced front section.

The rear of the C-Class Coupé looks sportily short. Because the roof flows beyond the rear axle with the steeply raked rear window and fluid C-pillars, the appearance of length is reduced. A wide chamfer at the top of the boot lid, which is based on the side panel, highlights the rear’s compactness.

Positioning the tail lights as far apart as possible emphasises width. The particular impression of depth is achieved by a centrally located LED indicator, which appears to float in front of the red upper and lower light bands with their more deeply set LEDs. Continuous, horizontal light-catching contours in the bumper further accentuate the broad, deep-set effect.

A diffuser towards the bottom of the rear bumper makes the rear end look lighter and gives the vehicle a sporty and dynamic quality.

The interior: highest quality with exclusive colour accents

A highlight in the interior is the coupé seats with integral head restraints and single seats in the rear, thereby demonstrating the car’s sporty credentials to the driver. The dashboard reveals a strong, sporty and high-quality design including three tube rings with a galvanised finish.

As standard, the coupé comes with the new generation of three-spoke steering wheel with its chromed central spoke that first appeared on the new CLS. The touch surfaces of the controls are finely detailed and galvanised.

The stepped top of the instrument cluster also accommodates the central display and continues onto the front passenger side as a discreet light-catching contour. The central, trapezoidal air vents and the round vents on the outside are highlighted in detail by galvanised trim.

The control panel of the communication and information unit with high-gloss areas in black and silver-coloured, galvanised keys underlines the high perceived value of the interior.

A large section of trim is a high-quality part of the dashboard instrument panel. This extends from the centre air vents across the front passenger side to the outer air vent, emphasising the interior’s generous proportions.

As a new feature, the trim parts are available in a porcelain piano-lacquer look in the style package and for the Edition 1, so complementing the car’s exclusive interior feel. Alternatively there is a
choice of a black high-gloss piano-lacquer look, dark aluminium, AMG carbon piano-lacquer look or matt brown ash.

In general, the striking and sporty lines of the exterior are continued into the interior. For example, the doors and rear side linings pick up on the form of the coupé’s side line. The beltline, which is available in a darker contrasting tone to the door lining as an option, opens up to the front and in conjunction with the generous section of trim and top edge of the midsection creates a dynamic shape that surges forward.

The interior

Exclusive coupé lounge with sporty appeal

The C-Class Coupé is a fully fledged four-seater and is one of the most spacious models in its segment. For example, there is 1372 mm and 1278 mm of shoulder room in the front and rear respectively. In terms of elbow room, the dimensions are 1443 mm and 1335 mm. Another key figure of relevance to freedom of movement is the hip room between the front and rear seats of 789 mm.

All four seats feature sporty yet comfortable integral seats. At 273 mm, the C-Class Coupé offers the most scope for longitudinal seat adjustment in this market segment. The front seats come with electric height and backrest adjustment as standard.

There is an optional memory package which includes electric adjustment with memory function for the front seats, front head restraints, steering column and exterior mirrors, as well as four-way lumbar support for the driver and front passenger. Heating and ventilation for the front seats are also available as optional extras (the latter when combined with leather upholstery).

Standard equipment for the coupé includes a mechanical entry and exit aid for the rear passengers also known as the EASY-ENTRY system.  It is operated using a lever next to the head restraint, which initially tilts the seat backrest forwards. The seat can then be pushed forwards.

The rear seat backrests have a 1/3 to 2/3 split-folding design and can be moved using the convenience feature in the luggage compartment (standard with the exception of the C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY). ISOFIX, the standardised attachment system for child seats, is included in the back as part of the standard specification. The boot capacity is 450 litres (according to the VDA measuring method).

The C-Class Coupé comes as standard with a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel with four buttons and a shift/selector lever handle, both in nappa leather. A three-spoke multifunction steering wheel with twelve buttons is offered as an optional extra, which is supplied with a high-resolution colour display (screen diagonal 114 mm) in the instrument cluster’s speed display, as well as ATTENTION ASSIST.

If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission and the AMG Sports package or the Dynamic Handling package, the steering wheel is fitted with shift paddles. The electronic KEYLESS-GO access and drive authorisation system is available as an option.

As standard, the C-Class Coupé has the two-zone THERMATIC automatic climate control system combined with green heat-insulating glass. Available as an option are dark-tinted side and rear windows, plus a large, electrically operated panoramic sliding sunroof and auxiliary heater.

The model range

Individual sportiness

There is a choice of five engines – two diesel and three petrol units – for the C-Class Coupé, delivering between 115 kW (156 hp) and 225 kW (306 hp). Eleven different paint finishes, including the special diamond white metallic BRIGHT  paint finish, can be combined with four interior colours comprising black, alpaca grey, sahara beige or flamenco red.

Fabric/ARTICO man-made leather, ARTICO man-made leather and leather are the three upholstery choices.

When it comes to trim parts, there are five options – high-gloss black piano-lacquer look, dark aluminium, matt brown ash, AMG carbon piano-lacquer look, and porcelain piano-lacquer look with the style package and the Edition 1.

The AMG Sports package combines attractive and exclusive optional extras, thus giving the coupé a  sportier look. Package contents include the three-spoke multifunction sports steering wheel with flattened bottom section, AMG seven-spoke light-alloy wheels, sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs, ATTENTION ASSIST and the AMG Styling package comprising front apron, side sill panels and rear apron.

The lowered sports suspension and speed-sensitive sports steering afford more fun at the wheel. Ordering the Coupé with an automatic transmission and the AMG Sports package also gets you shift paddles on the steering wheel for changing gears manually.

The AMG Sports package is available with all the engines in the line-up.

The Style package with its two-tone colour concept provides scope for maximum individualisation and can likewise be combined with all engine variants. It encompasses black ARTICO man-made leather upholstery with contrasting porcelain seams, a three-spoke multifunction sports steering wheel with twelve buttons and in two-tone nappa leather with perforated grip area (lower section in porcelain leather),

ATTENTION ASSIST, porcelain piano-lacquer look trim, door centre panel, armrest, centre console and gearshift boot with contrasting porcelain seams, floor mats with contrasting porcelain edges and roof lining with black fabric.

In the year of market launch only, an Edition 1 of the C-Class Coupé can be obtained. The highlights here are the optional special paint finishes in designo magno night black or diamond white metallic BRIGHT. The Edition 1 is also available in obsidian black, tenorite grey, iridium silver or palladium silver.

Other features: two-tone AMG seven-spoke, 18″ light-alloy wheels, the AMG Sports package described above, black ARTICO man-made leather seats with contrasting porcelain seams, two-tone multifunction sports steering wheel, porcelain piano-lacquer look trim and the Edition 1 badge on one of those trim parts.

The driving assistance systems are grouped into two packages: the Lane Tracking package consisting of Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist as the systems that can provide a warning in hazardous situations, and the Driving Assistance package PLUS, which comes with DISTRONIC PLUS, BAS PLUS, PRE-SAFE^® Brake, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist – assistance systems which actively intervene if necessary after providing a warning.

The designo programme and numerous optional extras allow the C-Class Coupé to be individualised further. Examples include the Dynamic Handling package with Sport mode, lowering and speed-sensitive sports steering with a direct ratio, the electric panoramic sliding sunroof and the Intelligent Light System.

The latter comprises bi-xenon headlamps with variable light distribution and dynamic headlamp range adjustment for country roads, motorways and dense fog, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, active light function, LED daytime running lamps and headlamp cleaning system.

Active safety

Warning and intervening

Preventing accidents and minimising the consequences thereof: this is the holistic approach taken by those working in Mercedes-Benz  safety research, which the company terms “Real Life Safety”.

Alongside ride and seating comfort, plus quiet-running characteristics, the basis of this is formed by what the in-house engineers know as “driver-fitness safety”, such as effective headlamp and windscreen wiper systems and simple and safe operation.

Safe handling that has no nasty surprises in store comes courtesy of advanced chassis systems, which for years now have also been fitted as standard with ESP^®, developed by Mercedes-Benz. In addition to this there are the PRE-SAFE^® systems which can warn, support and protect the driver when a concrete risk of accident has been detected.

An important anticipatory role is increasingly being played by a large number of  assistance systems which can ease the burden on the driver – especially in critical situations. This is where Mercedes-Benz uses its unique position in the segment of luxury vehicles as a spearhead of technological development.

New technologies are then integrated into the high-volume model series as quickly as possible. The best example of this process of democratisation is the C-Class Coupé. It offers no less than ten new assistance systems, some of which only entered series production in the luxury class in the past year.

Warning and intervening: the new driving assistance systems

With a total of ten new driving assistance systems ranging from ATTENTION ASSIST to DISTRONIC PLUS adaptive cruise control, the C-Class Coupé attains a high level of safety. The assistance systems are based on the latest radar, camera and sensor technology, and cover frequent accident causes such as driving too closely, fatigue and darkness.

The new assistance systems – which can provide support and give a warning in hazardous situations, and in some cases actively intervene

– at a glance:

• Adaptive Highbeam Assist
• Active Lane Keeping Assist
• Active Blind Spot Assist
• ATTENTION ASSIST
• DISTRONIC PLUS
• Speed Limit Assist
• PARKTRONIC including Parking Guidance
• PRE-SAFE^® Brake including BAS PLUS
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Blind Spot Assist

Electronic helpers: the new assistance systems

Adaptive Highbeam Assist. When vehicles are detected ahead of or approaching the vehicle, this system automatically dips the beams and adjusts the range of the headlamps appropriate to the distance. This means that main beam can be used more frequently.

Active Lane Keeping Assist. The system kicks into action if it detects that the Mercedes-Benz vehicle is inadvertently drifting over a solid or broken line to the right or left of a lane. In such a case, a warning sign in the instrument cluster and vibration of the steering wheel give the driver warning. If the driver does not heed the warning in the case of the solid line, Active Lane Keeping Assist can use ESP^® to brake the opposite wheels and thereby prevent the vehicle from crossing the solid line.

Lane  Keeping Assist, which can warn but does not actively intervene, is available as a favourably priced alternative.

Active Blind Spot Assist. A red triangle on the exterior mirror warns the driver when changing lanes if a risk of collision is detected due to another vehicle in the neighbouring lane being in the so-called blind spot of the exterior mirror. If the driver ignores the warning and nevertheless initiates the lane-changing manoeuvre, Active Blind Spot Assist intervenes. By applying braking force to the wheels on the opposite side of the vehicle, a yaw movement is created which counteracts the collision course.

Blind Spot Assist, which warns but does not actively intervene, is available as a favourably priced alternative.

ATTENTION ASSIST warns drivers when it detects typical signs that they are over-tired. Studies have shown that around a quarter of all serious motorway accidents are caused by drowsy drivers, making this factor an even bigger cause of accidents than drink-driving. With ATTENTION ASSIST, Mercedes-Benz is therefore making another important contribution towards helping to avoid accidents: the system employs high-resolution sensors to observe driver behaviour and can recognise whether the driver is tired or not paying attention, based primarily on steering wheel movements.

Brake Assist PLUS: this system is able to recognise an impending rear-end collision using radar sensors. It calculates the necessary degree of braking assistance and makes it available immediately when the driver presses the brake pedal.

DISTRONIC PLUS: radar-based adaptive cruise control supports the driver at speeds between zero and 200 km/h by automatically adjusting the distance to the vehicles in front. In doing so it is able to apply the brakes to bring the vehicle to a complete standstill and also accelerate it again. As a result, the system is also particularly convenient in stop-and-go traffic. If the system detects that the distance is being reduced too quickly, it warns the driver with both visual and audible signals.

Speed Limit Assist: a camera fitted behind the windscreen detects speed limit signs at the roadside and compares this data to information contained in the GPS system. The relevant speed limit is then displayed in the instrument cluster.

PARKTRONIC including Parking Guidance: ultrasonic sensors measure the length of parking spaces as the car drives past; the cockpit display provides a schematic representation of the recommended
parking manoeuvre. Ultrasonic sensors then support the driver whilst parking and provide a warning when the system registers that the vehicle is getting too close to another.

PRE-SAFE^® Brake: autonomous braking if acute danger of an accident is detected. At first the driver is given both an acoustic and an optical warning if the system identifies that there is a danger of collision. If the driver does not react to this, the system brakes the vehicle autonomously.

This occurs in two stages: around 1.6 seconds before the calculated impact point the system decelerates the car with around 40 percent (approx. four m/s²) of the maximum braking power, gives the driver an additional, haptic warning of the impending impact and as a precaution activates the reversible PRE-SAFE^® occupant protection systems. If the driver still fails to react, the PRE-SAFE^® Brake activates the maximum braking power around 0.6 seconds before the now unavoidable collision – this emergency braking can greatly reduce the severity of the impact.

The system therefore acts like an “electronic crumple zone”, offering the car occupants even greater protection. The PRE-SAFE^® Brake is active at speeds of between 30 and 200 km/h when moving vehicles are detected in front of the car. The system also reacts if the car approaches a stationary queue of traffic, providing its speed is below 70 km/h.

Passive safety, bodywork and manufacturing

Comprehensive protection for passengers

The C-Class Coupé safety concept has been optimised based on the analysis of real-life accidents. As part of the standard specification, nine airbags (front airbags and pelvisbags for the driver and front passenger, a kneebag on the driver’s side, sidebags in the front, as well as windowbags for the driver and the front and rear passengers), belt tensioners, belt-force limiters and NECK-PRO crash-responsive head restraints in the front offer the occupants an extremely high level of protection should an accident occur.

Sidebags in the rear are available as an option. The body structure has been designed to ensure that, in the event of a frontal collision, the impact forces are distributed over a wide area and on four independently acting impact levels, meaning that the occupant cell remains largely intact.

Around 70 percent of all the bodyshell panels are made from state-of-the-art, high-strength steel alloys that minimise weight and maximise safety. An active bonnet is one of the measures designed to meet requirements to protect pedestrians.

The C-Class Coupé also features the  anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE^® as an option. This Mercedes-Benz innovation uses the time between detection of a potential accident situation and a possible collision to initiate preventive protective measures, thus reducing the loads exerted on the occupants in the event of a crash by up to 40 percent.

Depending on equipment, the PRE-SAFE^® system consists of reversible belt tensioners for the front seats, a closing function for power windows, a closing function for the electric panoramic sliding sunroof and a positioning function for the front passenger seat.

Being closely related to the other C-Class models means the safety concept can also be expected to do brilliantly in standardised rating crash tests. The renowned American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), for instance, declared the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Top Safety Pick three times in a row (in 2009, 2010 and 2011) – deeming it to be the best purchasing decision with regard to safety.

The C-Class achieved good ratings in all the safety criteria which were examined.

Extensive crash-test simulations formed the basis for safety development work, particularly on coupé-specific components. This is a field which has made great leaps forward: at the beginning of the 1990s, Mercedes-Benz was performing around 200 computerised crash tests per annum.

By the year 2000 this number had already increased to 1500 simulations, and in 2010 more than 50,000 were carried out. And this is by no means the only impressive set of statistics: for the tests on the W 201, the C-Class’s predecessor from the 1980s, the computer model consisted of 25,000 finite elements.

Nowadays the level of detail is much greater – the digital replica of the current C-Class (W 204), for example, comprises around two million elements. And the planar grid of the virtual vehicle structure is now composed of tiny rectangles and triangles with an edge length of three millimetres. This facilitates a far more precise and detailed deformation analysis than previously, when, at 25 mm the elements were so much larger.

As well as the high development speed, the decisive advantage that computer simulation has over real crash tests lies not only in the fact that the vehicles are not destroyed; even more important than that is the ability which today’s engineers have to detect and follow what actually happens in an impact in great detail.

As if with x-ray eyes the engineers can track the course of deformation in extreme slow motion and from any perspective they wish, thus delving further and further into the details every year.

The right material in the right place: in accordance with this principle, approximately 70 percent of all the sheet metal panels in the C-Class Coupé are made of high-strength steel alloys.

With minimum weight, they offer maximum strength and thus the highest possible levels of safety.

Today’s ultra-high-strength steel sheet panels deserve a special mention. They achieve a tensile strength that is three to four timeshigher than that of conventional steel grades, making them indispensable for meeting the stringent Mercedes requirements regarding durability and safety.

These ultra-high-strength high-tech alloys account for around 20 percent of the weight of the bodyshell.

Aluminium and plastic are the other two lightweight materials which Mercedes-Benz uses where they offer maximum benefit. For example, the bonnet is made of aluminium. It weighs in at some 9.2 kg less than a comparable steel version, thus reducing the weight where this makes most sense in terms of driving dynamics.

Other aluminium features on the coupé are the front wings, the front-end assembly including its flexible cross member and crash boxes, the sheet metal panel for the parcel shelf in the rear, and the door modules. The spare wheel recess is made of plastic.

The aerodynamics of the C-Class Coupé are the mark of the bodyshell’s efficiency. With a Cd figure of 0.26 it is not only exceptionally aerodynamic, but also glides through the wind better than most compact cars – and even small cars – with its wind resistance of Cd x A = 0.55 m².

Long-term corrosion prevention for the bodywork is based on fully galvanised sheet metal panels. Structural areas of the body which are subjected to high stresses are protected with cavity-fill preserving agent. Sheet metal panel laminations and beads are completely filled with adhesive, whilst systematic sealing of the weld seams and edges with a PVC joint prevents corrosion from occurring.

Generous underbody panelling composed of plastic laminate protects the bodywork and engine against stone chipping, moisture and dirt. Axle components, which are also subjected to a great deal of stone chipping damage, are protected by plastic panelling.

The C-Class Coupé is made at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen. New for Daimler, it is the fourth model to be made on a single production line together with the Saloon and Estate versions and the GLK. This places high demands on production management and logistics, but gives the company the ability to  respond to fluctuations in demand for specific models with exceptional flexibility.

The new generation of multimedia

Many new functions and internet access

Larger displays, new functions and internet access for the first time are among the main innovations of the new telematics systems from Mercedes-Benz, which are available for the C-Class Coupé.

The Bluetooth functions have also been extended: a mobile’s phone book can now be transferred automatically en bloc when connected, and incoming text messages can be displayed on the colour screen.

Overview of the various items of equipment and their functions:

The standard specification includes the Audio 20 CD system with a twin tuner and CD player plus an Aux-in and USB connector. The connectors are within easy reach in a compartment in the centre armrest.

The colour display has a diagonal of 14.7 cm. Thanks to a new “Cover Art” function, the title images of the music albums currently being played are shown if their details are stored in the audio file.

A new top line in the Audio 20 CD’s menu navigation makes orientation easier and can be operated via the controller. The settings for the air conditioning are also displayed on the telematics screen when being operated, as is the fuel consumption in the last 15 minutes.

This type of consumption histogram is possible for the C 350 BlueEFFICIENCY, C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY models.

The Bluetooth functions have also been extended: a mobile’s phone book can now be transferred automatically en bloc when connected, and wireless music reproduction is possible from Bluetooth-capable terminals.

Plus text messages can also be displayed. As an optional extra the Audio 20 CD can be combined with a six-disc CD changer, Media Interface, surround sound system (please see below for details), Convenience Telephony in the armrest, digital radio (DAB) and the new Becker^® MAP PILOT entry-level navigation solution (details of this are also given below).

The COMAND Online multimedia system offers internet access for the first time.  Customers can either browse the internet freely when at a standstill or access a Mercedes-Benz app; the latter’s pages can be called up particularly quickly and it is simple to operate even when driving.

The integral apps include Google™ Local Search and weather. It is also possible to download a route that has been previously configured via Google Maps using a PC and sent to the vehicle. More Mercedes-Benz apps will be introduced gradually and then all customers will be able to use them. Telephones which can be used with COMAND Online apps are listed at www.mercedes-benz.com/connect.

The high-resolution colour display has a diagonal of 17.8 cm. Photos can be shown on the large screen and turned over manually, as in a slide show. Where the audio equipment is concerned, too, new types of representation bring a fresh look and more convenient operation.

The new Cover Flow function, for instance, sorts the title images of the music albums stored in a carousel-like form, so that the C-Class driver can easily leaf through their music collection – even if it is rather on the large side: the memory for compressed audio files (mp3, wma and aac formats) is now 10 GB in size. As an option COMAND Online is available with a six-disc DVD changer.

Greatest convenience is afforded by the Music Search function, which enables drivers and passengers to search the hard disc, SD  memory cards, USB sticks, CDs and DVDs for specific music tracks and artists.

The search can be according to various criteria, for instance album, music category or composer. If a name needs to be entered, the software will also tolerate spelling mistakes. The driver is therefore able to devote their full attention to the traffic. As a further advantage, the occupants are able to search all the connected media and devices simultaneously.

The fast hard-disc navigation system of COMAND Online also has added functions. New features include a 3D display with plastic city views. Also new: routes covered can be recorded and repeated later, specific personal destinations can be saved or imported via an SD card and four alternative routes can be displayed on the navigation map, one of them a particularly economical variation.

Mercedes-Benz customers in Europe receive the current cards for their COMAND Online multimedia system free of charge for three years. Authorised Mercedes-Benz dealers upload the updates for navigation data in 39 European countries into the navigation system when the customer visits their premises.

In Europe, COMAND Online also comprises Speed Limit Assist, which receives its information for traffic sign recognition via a camera and navigation database. COMAND Online additionally includes the LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system for audio, telephone and navigation.

The new “One Shot” input function for the navigation system is particularly convenient, whereby the place and road can be said directly after one another. This function is currently available in seven languages and significantly enhances ease of operation.

The Becker^® MAP PILOT makes a low-cost navigation function, which can also be retrofitted, available for the entry-level Audio 20 CD radio. Its advantages over aftermarket solutions include integrated operation via the central controls, voice output via the vehicle’s loudspeakers and display on the Audio 20 screen, a concealed location in the glove compartment and updating via an internet portal.

Mercedes-Benz developed the Logic7 surround sound system together with the audio specialist harman/kardon^®. This high-end system delivers three-dimensional sound as a natural 360-degree musical experience for all passengers.

The audio signals are distributed via a 450-watt amplifier connected to twelve high-performance loudspeakers. In conjunction with COMAND Online a multi-channel listening experience with Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS is possible.

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