Mercedes' secret weapon - the Coupé

Mercedes had much to talk about at the recent Melbourne Motor Show. First there was the new ML 55 AMG "all-activity" vehicle - aka 4WD. This huge 5.5-litre, top of the line, $140,000 ML was nice, but nothing we hadn't seen before.

There were a few updates to existing models and new paintjobs for others, but really, not much else.

Except the new C-class sports Coupé, that is...

Aimed specifically at the lucrative youth and 'young-at-heart' market, the new sports Coupé is Mercedes answer to the BMW 318i hatch.

It seems like Mercedes has delivered the goods, too. Sporting very appealing bodywork, the new sports Coupé is undeniably a member of the sportier range of Mercedes.

With smooth curves, Mercedes' trademark front-end and a trendy low-slung profile, the new Coupé certainly looks the part.

The ellipsoid headlights, underscored by smaller spotlights, add to the sporty front end. The Coupé is also 17cm shorter than its sedan cousin. Decreasing the drag co-efficient, the car has been lowered by another 12mm, too.

As you can see from the aerial shot, there is a much longer window than normal - from the tail lights to the front of the roof. This adds another cogent aspect to the car and illuminates the cabin more effectively as well.

Using the latest gadgetry, the new vehicle is the first ever to use Sequentronic shifting. This Mercedes gearbox has two modes.

First - automatic, which is simply an auto transmission and second - semi-automatic. This, more interesting, mode will change through six gears, either up or down, at the slight shift of the gear lever.

Need more acceleration - move the stick forward to drop a gear (not literally!). Time for more speed - change into sixth by pulling the shifter back slightly. This method of changing gear is much quicker and will make driving the new sports Coupé that much more enjoyable. The sporty 16" alloy wheels help convey the idea of a sporty coupé - anything smaller would have reduced the overall look. As they stand, the 16s fill out the guards perfectly.

Matthias Luehrs, MD for Mercedes-Benz said: "The sports Coupé is pitched at newcomers whose requirements were not fully addressed in the past: newcomers to the world of Mercedes-Benz, newcomers to the C-class and newcomers to our sportier models."

Prospective buyers will have two choices of engine: a naturally aspirated, four-cylinder 2.0-litre mill, capable of 95kW. The other, more sports oriented block is very similar. The main different being a supercharger that pushes maximum power up to a healthy 120kW.

There will also be an Evolution version of the C-class sports Coupé that will sport upgraded bodykit, suspension, 17" alloy wheels and interior detailing from AMG.

The new sports Coupé will be available to Australian drivers towards the end of 2001. No word yet on the price point, but expect it to be around $50,000-$60,000.

Mercedes new sports Coupé proved to be very popular at the show and is likely to give BMW's 318i hatch some solid competition.