Why Build One Coupe When You Can Build Two?

by Edward Niedermeyer

Published: February 13th, 2011

why build one coupe when you can build two

Ever since Mercedes released its CLK back in 1996, Mercedes has offered one premium coupe slotted between its E and C-Class sedans. Sure, it offered the unloved C-Class Sportcoupe (aka CLC) for a few years in the US as an attempt at an entry-level Mercedes, but nobody really seemed to notice. Otherwise, between there and the none-too-cheap CL, Mercedes offered one coupe, known as the CLK (not counting the CLS “four door coupe”). Now, however, Mercedes has moved in a new direction, offering an “E-Class Coupe” and a “C-Class Coupe,” the latter of which will debut shortly at the Geneva Auto Show. The strange part: they’re both built on the C-Class platform. Mercedes, it seems, has learned an important lesson: when it comes to selling cars, it’s what’s on the outside that counts.

#Design #Luxury #Markting #NewCars

Edward Niedermeyer

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4 of 16 comments

Davekaybsc on Feb 13, 2011

Not as pug ugly as the IS350C, but the 3 series coupe and the A5 are the best looking cars BMW and Audi make. This is just bland, and I agree largely looks like an Accord. I always get the feeling that Mercedes only builds the C-class because they have to, not because they actually have any interest in small sport sedans.

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- MBella on Feb 13, 2011
  
  This is definitely true. Mercedes is the only Luxury brand where the mid-size car out sells the compact by large numbers. This segment is everybody else's bread and butter.
  
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- Speedlaw on Feb 13, 2011
  
  You'd think someone would really step up to knock the 3 off the pedestal. Audi takes good shots, the Acura TL SH AWD hits the numbers but not the "feel", and the Infiniti/Lexus go luxury but pay lip service. The C class.....not mentioned. Almost ever. I really wanted Porsche to build a 3 beater, with practical four doors. They built a four door 6 series instead. Imagine...a Porsche, 50k, beating the 3 series at its' own game.
  
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Jaycar on Feb 13, 2011

My question is whether or not AMG would consider it worth their while to delve into this one. A bit anxious to see a small MB coupe equivalent of an M3.

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