They told me I was the first auto writer in the southeastern United States to drive the new 2012 Mercedes C-Class Coupe 63 AMG. I can only say that it was a privilege and I am thankful that I got through the week without having to sign some paperwork for traveling a bit too fast.
The new two-door coupe marks the first time Mercedes-Benz has offered a traditional coupe in the C-Class segment. It complements the popular four-door C-Class sedan, which has received a major restyling for 2012 that involved 2,000 new parts, including new bumpers, headlights, front grille, an aluminum hood, LED taillights, a redesigned interior, a new 5.8-inch display screen and new-generation telematics.
All told, there are 13 new standard equipment features on the 2012 C-Class sedan and coupe, as well as five new safety systems:
Attention Assist — warns you if get drowsy while driving.
HOLD — feature on the Adaptive Brake system lets you take your foot off the brake pedal when the car is stopped, at a red light for example.
Blind Spot Assist — provides a warning whenever a turn signal is activated with a car in a blind spot.
Lane Keeping Assist — alerts drivers if the car drifts from its lane without the turn signals on.
PARKTRONIC Guidance System — tells you if the car will fit in the parking space you’re aiming for.
Both the C-Class coupe and sedan are available in three different versions:
C250 — powered by a new direct-injection, turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine (201 hp, 229 pounds-feet of torque).
C350 Sport — has a new direct-injection 3.5-liter V-6 (302 hp, 273 pounds-feet).
C63 AMG — with a normally aspirated 6.3-liter V-8 (451 hp, 443 pounds-feet) and AMG’s MCT multi-clutch transmission.
With an optional AMG Development Package, the C63 AMG climbs to 481 hp.
In addition, the C-Class sedan is available as a C300, with standard 4MATIC allwheel drive and the 3.0-liter V-6 engine (228 hp, 221 pounds-feet). The C250 and C300 sedans are available in a choice of Luxury or Sport trim. Sport models feature staggered-width, five-spoke 17-inch wheels; sport shocks; springs and stabilizer bars that provide a crisper ride and more than a half-inch lower ride height, and standard AMG styling, including deeper front and rear aprons as well as sculpted rocker panels.
All 2012 C-Class models (except the C63 AMG with its high-performance MCT transmission) come with a new seven-speed automatic transmission with a more advanced torque converter lock-up clutch that provides even better gas mileage, more responsive driving, quieter operation and increased durability.
Pricing on the Mercedes C-Class ranges from $36,675 for the C250 Sport Sedan to $62,305 for the C63 AMG Coupe.
Ron Beasley is the automotive editor for Miami’s Community Newspapers. He may be contacted by calling 305-662-2277, ext. 261, or by addressing email correspondence to LetsTalkCars@aol.com.
