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Base Price: US$ 30K (auto)

215 hp / 221 lb-ft

0-60mph: 7.0s (auto)

The C320 Coupe is one of Mercedes’s shortest four-seaters. It is more than seven inches shorter than a C-Class sedan, and rides half an inch lower. Both are built on a 106.9-inch wheelbase platform, so with the Coupe the wheels are closer to the corners of the car and there's less overhang front and rear. This makes for a good-handling car.

And fun is precisely how we'd define the C320 Sports Coupe. It's a two-door that looks cute but drives like a more serious machine; throw it into a bend and just use your butt and hands to gauge precisely how much tire grip is left, and counter-steer as needed. Power is there, stability is there and even at lower speeds the car is pleasing.

The C320's V-6 pulls powerfully and in a surprisingly linear fashion. One unique thing in this range--rear-wheel drive--means that the C320 corners truly from the seat of your pants, whereas the Acura RSX pulls you around bends and its screaming engine will torque-steer disquietingly.

The C320 is also both quick and engaging. Ours had the five-speed shiftable automatic transmission, the way to go with Mercedes, since it's both easy to use in lieu of a "real" standard gearbox and as fluid as any automatic sold.

The 5-speed driver-adaptive automatic transmission’s electronic brain adapts the shift points to your driving style, to match your mood of the moment. Also, with the automatic's Touch Shift feature, you can control downshifts and hold upshifts by tapping the lever sideways.

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Some of the standard features:

Sport-tuned suspension: Sport-tuned shock absorbers. Thicker front and rear stabilizer bars.
Steering: Rack-and-pinion with power assist and integral hydraulic damper
Wheels: Aluminum-alloy standard 7-spoke design, 7.5J x17 front, 7.5J x 17 rear
Tires: 225/45 ZR17 front, 225/45 ZR17 rear, high performance

Everything in the Benz works well, and in straightforward fashion. For instance, to get into the rear seat of some coupes requires first climbing under the front seatbelts. But in the case of the C320, a clever seatbelt hanger pops down and gets out of the way so you can easily scoot into the rear quarters.

There is nearly 30 square feet of cargo space under the hatch of the C320, which bests not only the carrying capacity of the Acura RSX but also that of your average Crown Victoria. No, you can't use the C320 Sports Coupe as a cop car, but the point is that it's a fairly handy setup, and the taller-angled hatch makes it convenient for chores like hauling home plants from the garden supply center.

Safety features receive the same priority in the C320 as in more-expensive Mercedes models. In addition to two-stage front airbags and side airbags, window-curtain airbags protect the heads of occupants at all four outside seating positions. Antilock brakes and traction control are also standard.

If you're the type who can't leave home without chocolate, don't worry about a meltdown. A vent from the climate control cools the center console.

P00Man

c-class handles like a boat, only good one is the c32 AMG, the auto tranny in the thing is hunkering, didnt get to try the manual on the road, but just sitting in it and playing with the stick, like bricks compared to the 8, iirc
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YAMAHA QY10

350 Formula

While driving home today I saw one and thought 'that piece of crap is a Mercedes?'. It is one ugly car.

Then 10 minutes later I saw a C320 Sedan. It is a sharp looking car.

mikeb

My friend has the c32 and it is awesome all around
Are you guys talking about the hatchback mercedes

sheylen

I love the C-class sport coupe, I think it is a very classy car. With the evolution package it looks like a much more expensive M-B.

MSMAMBA

The C320 coupe is good, but not that great IMO.

I tried to price the coupe with aftermarket upgrades such as those from Renntech and found that I will be paying too much for the added HP.

What a shame that MB decided not to release the C32 AMG coupe into the US market for 04. (At least while I was shopping for a fun toy.)

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Motor Trend test data

_________________ 0 – ¼ mile ____ 60mph-0 ____ Slalom

Mercedes C320
Coupe (auto) ___ 15.0s @ 92.6mph ___ 115 ft ____ 64.0 mph


Report: December issue Motor Trend (p.67)