2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe Previewed

WHILE MERCEDES-BENZ' new E-class coupe has gone on sale internationally, taking the place of the previous CLK two-door, there is still more to come from the three-pointed star.

Those in the market for a smaller coupe are currently limited to the CLC-Class, a re-styled version of the previous generation C-class Sportcoupe - itself a three-door liftback rather than a true coupe.

With the older architecture underneath approaching its development limitations, Mercedes is said to be working on a pair of new two-door offerings to sit below the E-class coupe.

When the C-class comes due for its mid-cycle enhancement, the CLC will be phased out and a new C-class coupe - built atop the current C-class platform - will join the range.

As well as the coupe, a convertible version - dubbed the CLR - should show up for sun-seeking buyers, although there is no word yet on whether it will feature a cloth top or a folding metal lid like its 3 Series opposition.

While the E-class and C-class coupe will share much of the same underbody componentry, the styling for the two will vary.

Where the E-class coupe makes use of the sedan’s interior and exterior, the C coupe will follow in the footsteps of the facelifted C-class sedan.

Engines, too, will spell the difference between the two models: the C-class coupe will rely more heavily on the four-cylinder powerplants from the C-class range as well as a range-topping V6 variant.

Turbodiesels will also join the options list in some markets.

Should it all come together as proposed, the CLC should be retired sometime next year with a replacement coming in the form of an A-class based Sportcoupe.

The C-class coupe is then scheduled to appear during 2012 to carry the torch for those seeking a two-door C-class.