Could this be the most desirable compact executive car yet? This stunning, four-door, four-wheel-drive coupe is the star of the Mercedes stand at the Beijing Motor Show – and it’s set to make the likes of the BMW 3 Series look very bland indeed.
The Concept Style Coupe (CSC) is part of a growing family of models based on the new A-Class. In essence, the CSC is a shrunken version of the CLS – a car that took the E-Class as its basis and added a sleeker shape. It carved its own niche, and now Mercedes hopes the CSC will do the same thing.
If the shape looks a little familiar, that’s because there are shades of the F800 Style Concept (revealed at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show) in the sweeping roofline.
Although it’s based on the new A-Class, the CSC is longer, wider and lower than a C-Class. Designers have removed the B-pillar to give the CSC a cleaner profile, with frameless windows just like on the CLS.
There’s exquisite attention to detail in the front grille, which is just like that of the Vision A concept – the car that previewed the A-Class last year. It’s made up of tiny, shiny 3D dots, which give a diamond effect. A vent at the rear does the same. The headlights shine red when the car is in standby mode, while the indicators light up in succession. Massive 21-inch alloys complete the concept’s visual drama.
Inside, the A-Class influence is strong. The dashboard is very similar, although the SLS AMG-style air vents feature bold neon detailing. They’re backlit and change from blue to yellow to red as the air flowing through them warms up.
There’s a panoramic glass roof that extends far enough back to shed light on the rear seat passengers, who also have access to a sculpted centre console complete with its own air vents. This shows the car’s importance to the Chinese market, where customers often have chauffeurs.
Highlight of the dashboard is an integrated iPad, while the CSC also showcases Mercedes’ ‘always on’ cloud technology, which provides Internet access even when the car is stationary. This allows the car’s software to be updated remotely, meaning fewer trips to the dealer.
Under the bonnet, the CSC features a 211bhp 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine with direct injection. This powers all four wheels via a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox, and should give 0-60mph in under seven seconds and a 150mph top speed.
The CSC is the third car to use Mercedes’ new platform – after the B-Class MPV and the A-Class – but it won’t be the last. An A-Class Shooting Brake estate is also planned, as is a small SUV to rival Audi’s Q3.
At launch in 2014, the CSC will have no direct rivals. Until BMW launches its rumoured 3 Series GranCoupe, the newcomer will offer an alternative to the likes of the C-Class and regular 3 Series, with a price of around £25,000.
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This to my eye is a very coherent design with perfect proportions.
And what a looker. Clean uncluttered lines front to back and I just love that muscular chunky rump and haunches.
Some lovely detailing here too.
It just shows what a good design house can produce, but please Mercedes Benz dont mess with those clean fresh lines and bring it to the market unfettered with unnecessary clutter. Be brave!
Very fresh and definitely moves the game on somewhat and of course very desireable.
As the title says, where do I sign?
Just another bland styling exercise from Toyota and it looks just like a Corolla.
Superb on the eyes! However in this day and age, why is it not electric when all the smaller and cheaper makers are trying to do away with oil burners. Nice when you can afford one but not good for the environment unless it can do 80mpg which I very much doubt....
I expect it to appear in production missing only the neon highlights in the interior. Too dear for my purse, though. Shame, it's the first Merc I've liked the look of in a long time.
Not usually a fan of Mercs, (or Audis or Bimmers for that matter). But this looks really nice. If they can get this in production without wrecking the looks, I might grow up and sell the Boxster!
This car is stunning and "prosperity" you need to get yourself booked in for an eye test URGENT because if you think this looks anything like a Toyota your vision has failed big time!
Looks great except for the Asda style green upholstery.
In my opinion the looks are spoilt a little by the fish-like appearance of the headlights and front side vents, plus the front grills look too large...big mouth. I wonder what it will look like on the forecourts.
So this is clearly a set of drawings, and I'll be amazed if it really looks like this when released, certainly inside, which looks very appealing, no doubt Merc will find this too much for most and tame it down by making everything grey or black.
Hi @GaryThomlinson - thanks for your comment.
These are official pictures of the concept car, not drawings. The pics seem to have been photoshopped a bit, though, which gives them that airbrushed look.
We'll be in Beijing next week for the official reveal and will upload pictures of it on the show stand to the site as soon as we can.
Thanks,
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But by the time the "bean counters" have their way, all the stylish eliments will be removed.
being a concept it would be interesting to see how much of it makes it to the real practical car. it looks striking and quite nice but there needs to be a design language that makes Merc's distinctive and elegant - i guess this gets more complicated as time moves on when most companies are following another until all cars look common in theme.
Well I reckon if Mercedes Benz decide to actually produce this car, basically intact, then they will finally have got rid of the current horrible design language around the rear wheel arches that they have now. trying to implement the same design on different cars does not work every time. The new look CLS is but one example, and the new B class another.
The crease lines are generally too sharp and will not be liked by the insurance companies -- too expensive to repair. Also the side one needs to flow right through to the rear one -- the disjunction on the rear side door looks very awkward. Like a drawing error.
Also nowhere for a front number plate. But some good cues otherwise. Kinda refreshing, particularly after some recent heavy-handedness.
IMHO.
Why do so many modern designers follow ugly trends? If they removed the Chris Bangle inspired 'flame surfacing' creases nonsense, this could be a real looker.
Interesting point made by Mustafa above concerning expensive repairs - maybe the misguided copy-cat manufacturers should take note, and stop massaging the egos of talentless designers like Bangle by copying their pointless and ugly styling influences.
At launch, it will have a direct rival - the BMW 2 Series Coupe springs to mind.
And if Merc sell this for 25K I'll be very surprised - just like I wasn't when some car magazines reported that the Toyota GT 86 would sell for 18K......
How fat and flat and stupid can you make a car? At a glance it looks even bigger than the grossly mis-named CLS, and more chopped. One can only hope a fantasy, let alone a concept.
AE, MB will have to produce a 'proper' [looking] car to be any sort of rival to the bimmer 3.
There is are a number of videos on you tube for this car. I showed it to a couple of BMW 3 series owners who both says it has similar lines to Hyundai cars ( showed them the video separately). I wouldn't wait two years for this car, if you want cutting edge design then just buy an Evoque. Having said that hats off to merc from trying to break the mould, the only real looker they have at present is the E class coupe.
I agree with gavesmit they have gone OTT with the creases