New York show: Benz tweaks two-door C-Class

MERCEDES-BENZ has ripped the covers off the facelifted version of its C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet line-up that ushers in electrified powertrains, new optional digital toys in the cabin and subtle styling changes.

The refreshed two-door C-Class range also includes the updated AMG C43 performance variant, and all versions will hit Australian showrooms in August, while the yet-to-be-seen C63 hi-po hero will also lob in the third quarter.

Revealed ahead of its New York motor show debut next week, the two-door C-Class line-up follows the reveal of the facelifted sedan and wagon that shown at last month’s Geneva show.

While the line-up is expected to remain much the same as the outgoing version – C200, C250d, C300, C43, C63 S coupe and C200, C300, C43, C63 S cab – the entry-level C200 gains a new 48-volt EQ Boost powertrain.

The 2.0-litre unit in the outgoing 130kW/300Nm C200 is gone in favour of a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine delivering 135kW at 5800-6100rpm and 280Nm at 3000-4000rpm, paired with a 48V on-board network with a belt-driven starter/alternator that adds 10kW/160Nm.

Benz says EQ Boost can add an additional 10kW when accelerating and can “help to reduce fuel consumption even further while improving agility and comfort characteristics”, while during deceleration it will charge the battery by capturing kinetic energy.

The C200’s 0-100km/h time is 7.9 seconds in the coupe and 8.5s in the drop-top, which appears to be 0.2 and 0.3s slower respectively than the outgoing version.

This powertrain features a gliding mode when the engine is switched off and a regenerative braking system that kicks in by decoupling the powertrain and switching the engine off when the car falls below a certain speed.

Fuel use in the C200 Coupe and Cabriolet ranges from 6.1 to 6.8 litres per 100km, while the CO2 emissions are rated at 140-154g/km.

The C300 is yet to be detailed by Benz, but it too is expected to gain a 2.0-litre EQ Boost powertrain.

While Australia gets the C250d version of the coupe – there is no diesel Cabriolet Down Under – international markets are offered the C220d that uses a new 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel unit pumping out 143kW at 3800rpm and 400Nm at 1600-2800rpm for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 7.0s in the coupe and 7.5s in the cabriolet.

At the top of the two-door tree – until the brutal C63 is revealed – is the new Mercedes-AMG C43 that uses an uprated version of its carry-over 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine that now delivers 287kW at 6100rpm and 520Nm at 2500-5000rpm, a 17kW increase over the outgoing car.

It is enough to punt the C43 from 0-100km/h in 4.7s (4.8s in the cabriolet) and on to an electronically governed top speed of 250km/h. The C43 drinks 9.2-9.8L/100km and CO2 emissions of 212-223g/km.

As with the sedan and wagon variants, the two-door version gain tweaks to the exterior styling, including a new front bumper, a diamond grille as standard across the range and standard LED head and tail-lights.

Inside, it gains an optional digital 12.3-inch digital cockpit, a larger 10.25-inch media display, a new multi-function steering wheel, ambient lighting with 64 colours, a newly-designed start/stop button and a remote function for the cab’s folding fabric roof that can now be operated from outside the vehicle.

As another option, Benz is also offering Energizing Comfort Control that links comfort systems such as air-conditioning including fragrances, heated and ventilated seats, lighting and music, and according to Benz, “enables a specific wellness set-up tailored to the mood and need of the customer. This has positive effects on wellbeing and driver performance.”

There are up to six programs available depending on the variant, including Freshness, Vitality, Warmth, Cosiness, Joy, Training.