2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe: First Look (28 Photos)

Competes with: Lexus RC 350, Audi A5, BMW 4 Series

Looks like: A Mercedes up front and a Honda Accord coupe out back

Drivetrain: 241-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, seven-speed automatic transmission, rear-or-all-wheel drive

Hits dealerships: Spring 2016

Mercedes-Benz revealed its all-new 2017 C-Class coupe ahead of the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show where the two-door version of the C-Class sedan will make its official in-the-flesh sheet-metal debut this September. The C-Class sedan on which the coupe is based was Cars.com’s Best of 2015 award winner, and the coupe shares many of the same improvements that made the sedan such a winner. Only details on the C300 and C300 4Matic are available at the moment, though Mercedes says AMG info is coming at a later date.

Exterior

The C-Class coupe’s dimensions give the front end a long, sleek appearance with 2.4 more inches between the firewall and front axle compared with its predecessor. A long character line runs through the middle of the car and accentuates the long, low effect more so than the sedan as the line extends all the way to the rear taillights opposed to stopping just before the rear wheel arch on the four-door.

Other differentiators from the sedan include side mirrors mounted to the door body instead of the window frame and frameless doors that aim to convey a sporty character. Ride height is also lower for the coupe, which sits on standard 18-inch wheels. LED headlights are standard, while a Sport Appearance Package with AMG styling and wheels is optional.

Interior

Inside, the C-Class coupe’s design is nearly identical to the sedan, which isn’t a bad thing considering the well-appointed, techy and luxurious interior of the four-door. The coupe includes sport seats built specifically for the coupe, and a panoramic sunroof is standard. The aforementioned Sport Appearance Package adds a flat-bottom steering wheel and AMG pedals to the inside.

Like the sedan, the coupe sees increased dimensions compared with the previous generation, and that means more shoulder, elbow and headroom in all seats, according to Mercedes. The coupe has a 3.1-inch-longer wheelbase and is 3.7 inches longer and 1.6 inches wider; that hollows out more interior space for occupants. Unique upholstery color combinations include saddle brown, porcelain and nut brown/black with turquoise stitching.

The backseat has room for two passengers, and while the wide-angle-lens photos provided make the backseat look roomy, we won’t have specifications until the car debuts and Mercedes unleashes a complete list of dimensions.

Under the hood

Being an extension of the sporty side of the C-Class, a sport suspension with tauter springs and dampers are standard, and the coupe sits just more than a half-inch lower than the sedan. An air suspension is available with continuous damping featuring selectable ride comfort through Mercedes’ Dynamic Select, which offers Eco, Comfort, Sport or Sport+ and Individual driving modes.

Under the hood is the familiar 241-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder that pairs with a seven-speed automatic transmission and rear- or all-wheel drive. Fuel economy and performance numbers are currently under wraps, and full specifications should be available when the car debuts in Frankfurt on Sept. 15.

Safety

Collision Prevention Assist Plus is a notable safety feature; it warns drivers of a collision and will autonomously brake at speeds up to 124 mph. Available safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, a 360-degree parking camera and an active parking assist with semiautomated parking.