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2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe Spied At The Ring

Mercedes has confirmed that a new C-Class Coupe is set to join its vehicle line-up when the C-class comes due for its mid-cycle update next year. These new images shot at the Nurburgring in Germany reveal that testing is into its final s


Mercedes has confirmed that a new C-Class Coupe is set to join its vehicle line-up when the C-class comes due for its mid-cycle update next year. These new images shot at the Nurburgring in Germany reveal that testing is into its final stages.

Our recent renderings offered a glimpse of the expected styling for the updated coupe, but photos of what is thought to be a bright-orange crash-test coupe, spied some months ago, reveal a number of differences.

The most obvious difference is the up-kicked line at the base of the C-pillar, a notable step away from the sharp corners of Mercedes' other new coupes.

While little else can be seen of the crash-test car, other spy photos of a heavily camouflaged C-Class Coupe reveal that updates will include wider wheel arches, a deeper character line along the profile and Mercedes' new headlight styling.

These newer images of the C-Class Coupe at the famed Nurburgring circuit show that Mercedes is still hiding that C-pillar.

Speaking with US industry paper Automotive News recently, Mercedes-Benz US CEO Ernst Lieb said that expanding the C-Class range is the only way to match the likes of BMW, which offers a sedan, coupe, convertible and wagon version of the 3 Series.

"[Mercedes will have] an opportunity to meet our competitors at their own game," Lieb told Automotive News.

"Everybody wants to be Mercedes-Benz," he said. "They are after us in the S- and E-Class segment. With C-Class, we're sitting with a four-door sedan and not doing anything else. Now we will go into segments where [competitors] are strong."

The new Coupe will add another option for 'lifestyle' purchasers, joining the recently released Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe (which has taken the place of the previous CLK two-door).

Styling is expected to follow in the footsteps of its sedan sibling, with the obvious Coupe-specific differences.

Mercedes-Benz has offered no details on the C-Class Coupe's engines. Powerplants are expected to be shared across the C-Class range, including an AMG variant powered by the carmaker's new 5.5 litre V8. The company's new 4.6 litre V8 and 3.5 litre V6 will likely also feature.

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