Mercedes Benz c350 Coupe Review

The new C Coupe comes with an ‘amplitude-dependent’ damping system, automatically adjusting the compliancy of the shocks when the road decides to become rubbish.

Despite this, the Merc doesn’t transform into a jousty weapon of pinpoint precision, but retains a rather more calm sensibility and disposition towards aggressive inputs. There’s little body roll and a strong, confident chassis, it’s just that the relationship between driver and road is a little filtered. And this philosophy extends to the engine line-up, too. Three petrols – two 1.8-litre turbo four-pots producing 154bhp and 201bhp, and the C 350 V6 with 302bhp – join two diesels. The C 250 CDI produces 201bhp and a staggering 368lb ft of torque, which outperforms its Munich rival, the BMW 420d. Outpointing a diesel BMW on power and torque is a rare feat, and the Merc’s unit is a serene one, gently mooching around at the bottom of the rev range but with enough mid-range torque to allow for some big-car-style overtaking whoosh.