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Mercedes C180 Coupe

We hit the road in entry-level C-Class two-door coupe

Mercedes C180 Coupe front three-quarters

By Jack Rix

August 2011

Does entry-level always mean bargain basement? This C180 is the most basic Mercedes C-Class Coupe you can buy – so we took the keys to find out if it can keep pace with the rest of the range.

It’s not cheap, at £30,720, and you don’t get a particularly big engine for the money. The 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol turbo offers only 154bhp and 250Nm of torque – low figures for the premium class.

Price, not pace, is the key benefit. This variant undercuts the next most expensive C-Class Coupe, the 168bhp C220 CDI manual, by nearly £2,500.

However, with emissions of 169g/km, the C180 is the most polluting model in the line-up – with the exception of the C63 AMG Coupé – and is much more expensive to tax as a company car than a 146g/km BMW 318 Coupe.

On the move, the turbocharged powerplant is smooth and quiet. Just don’t expect fireworks when you plant your right foot. The gentle surge of acceleration will seem alien to anyone used to driving torquey diesels from the three-pointed star. Still, there’s enough shove to get up to motorway speed, and once there, the car is a relaxed cruiser.


Changing gear yourself is a rare experience in a Mercedes, but the rubbery action can’t match the precision of the rest of the package. The stop-start system is well integrated and unobtrusive, the steering has good feedback, body roll is kept in check and the brakes are strong. Even so, when you compare it with a 3 Series Coupe, the Merc has obviously been tuned with comfort in mind.

Remove the C180 badge on the boot, and passers-by won’t realise you’re in the base model, though. Every UK car gets the AMG styling kit, which includes 18-inch wheels, wide bodywork and suspension lowered by 15mm. And despite the sportier chassis settings and large wheels, the Coupé retains its composure on all but the worst road surfaces.

The styling can look a little bulky from some angles, but with the AMG trinkets attached, it certainly grabs the attention. Interior quality is excellent, and there’s even an element of practicality. The boot serves up a generous 450-litre capacity and the two spacious individual rear seats can be folded to create an even bigger load area. All in all, though, we’d opt for a larger diesel over this entry petrol car.

For an alternative review of the latest Mercedes-Benz C-Class visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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4 Comments

What does it weigh?? True to time honoured tradition at MB and grossly heavy? This will be a 'boy sent to do a man's work' !! They wont knock off a single conquest sale from BMW, or Audi.

By barina47 on 7 August, 2011, 2:46am

What does it weigh?? True to time honoured tradition at MB and grossly heavy? This will be a 'boy sent to do a man's work' !! They wont knock off a single conquest sale from BMW, or Audi.

By barina47 on 7 August, 2011, 5:01am

Much nicer than the tacky saloon.

The design of this coupe works much better I believe than the saloon. It's got a cool bauhaus, germanic mien to it, nice harmony to it. The interior looks the business! just like Mercedes of old! I would definately choose this Merc over a BMW 3 Series coupe (tosser's car) and Audi A5 coupe.

By JTravolta77 on 7 August, 2011, 1:36pm

Bulbous and boring what more is there to say. Think I'll carry on saving and buy an XK.

By tr_4_triumph on 9 August, 2011, 11:10pm

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Pictures

Mercedes C180 Coupe front three-quarters
Mercedes C180 Coupe rear three-quarters
Mercedes C180 Coupe dash
Mercedes C180 Coupe boot
Mercedes C180 Coupe wheel
Mercedes C180 Coupe rear seats

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FIRST OPINION

    The C180 is the cheapest C-Class Coupé by some margin – although at £30,000, it’s still expensive. And while the engine is smooth and refined, it feels sluggish compared to the rest of the range. The car also emits the most CO2 in the regular line-up. It scores on interior quality and visual impact, but our advice would be to save up for the faster and more efficient C220 CDI fitted with a seven-speed auto box.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £30,720
    Engine: 1.8-litre 4cyl petrol
    Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
    Power: 154bhp
    Torque: 250Nm
    0-62mph: 8.8 seconds
    Top speed: 139mph
    Economy: 38.6mpg
    CO2: 169g/km
    Equipment: AMG bodykit, lowered suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, leather, climate control, sat-nav
    On sale: Now
     
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