2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe

With SLK Kompressor-derived drivetrain and C-Class sedan chassis lineage, the C230 Coupe is a blend of M-B's proven-yet-refined hardware.

The Coupe's chassis hardware also comes courtesy of the C-Class sedan, although here, the optional Sports suspension package is standard fare. MacStruts with split lower links up front paired with pure multilink rear underpinnings yield a remarkably competent and controlled ride. While our tester wrapped its standard 205/55HR16 Continental ContiSportContact tires around 16-inch cast-alloy wheels, a 17-inch upgrade with Z-rated 225/45s is an available option.


Our first chance to wring out the new Coupe came on some-less-than-ideally maintained twisty backroads near Montreal, Canada. Even faced with a steady diet of lumpy, uneven pavement, this new Mercedes displayed a remarkably surefooted character. Steering feel is even better than the sedan; and while it's possible to rotate the Coupe's tail a tad with a touch of mid-corner dropped throttle, the standard ESP stability-control circuitry makes it tough to get things too far out of shape. Subsequent follow-up drives on more familiar turf back in Los Angeles merely confirmed our initial assessment: This is a pretty sweet handling piece, no matter how you care to look at it. With a healthy disc brake at each corner backed by the aforementioned electronic augmentations, the Coupe's stopping power is also quite reassuring.


Inside, if you like the C-Class sedan, you'll find equal favor with the Coupe as well. Overall control layout is good, and the bucket seats, while decidedly firm, offer great lateral support. Our biggest gripe here concerns the adjuster wheel on the manual seat, which is inconveniently located and makes rake changes a bit of a chore. Access to the Coupe's surprisingly spacious rear quarters is made easier by a flip-forward back and slide-forward lower cushion. While taller folk will find the front more to their liking, there's legitimate room for two adults in the aft section. Dropping the back on the Coupe's standard 60/40 split bench expands the capacity of its rear cargo bay from 10.2 up to 38.1 cubic feet, all easily accessed through a generously proportioned hatch.


Mercedes makes no bones about positioning its new C230 Coupe as a conquest vehicle. Anticipating that most will head out the door in the neighborhood of $27,000-$28,000 (ours, fitted only with M-B's Tele Aid navigation/emergency-assistance system and COMAND system-information center, bottom-lined at $28,270), the firm expects to grab an even larger percentage of single—and female—post-boomer buyers. Matched with the already-well-received C-Class sedans and the upcoming C320 Sport Wagon, the Sports Coupe should help M-B continue a sales roll that has seen its U.S. volume more than double during the past five years. (www.c-coupe.com)