When the UK gets the new Mercedes in October, it will be the second in a four-car line-up of the C-Class. The new Coupé also shares quite a lot with the C-Class saloon, including the front end, back to the leading edges of the doors. However, from the doors back, the Coupé looks much more like the S-Class Coupé. The striking looking Mercedes will be up against the Audi A5 and the BMW 4 Series.

The second-generation Coupé is 95mm longer and 40mm wider than the first-generation car, so that there is more shoulder room, elbow room and head room in all the seats. While much of the interior is based on the latest C-Class saloon, the Coupé has its own front sports seats matched by two individual seats in the back. Access to the interior is via doors which are frameless and, in the words of project leader Christian Früh, are among the longest on any Mercedes-Benz model.

A part of that extra length is due to the extra space needed to allow a more angled windscreen. That leaves room at the front for a wide choice of engines. There will be a 1.6-litre unit in the entry-level C180 that gives 156bhp. There will also be a 2.0-litre unit giving 184bhp in the C200, 211bhp in the C250 and 245bhp in the C300.

A four-pot turbodiesel will also be an option, giving 168bhp in the C220d or 201bhp in the C250d. All engines will be around 27% more frugal than the predecessor range. Transmissions will either be a six-speed manual or the option of a seven- or nine-speed automatic. They’ll be powering the rear wheels as standard, but with some engine options there will be the choice of adding the 4Matic four-wheel drive system.

Suspension is once again based on that of the C-Class saloon, but with unique elastokinematic properties, while the ride height has been lowered by 15mm. Variable dampers are standard fit, and can be adjusted to either comfort or sports modes. Optional is the AirMatic suspension with air springs, and 18in or 19in wheels will be an option alongside the standard 17in rims.

Mercedes is working to position itself as a leader in autonomous driving, so the C-Class Coupé is fitted with a whole swathe of technologies including Attention Assist, Collision Prevention Assist, Adaptive Brake Assist and, optionally, Distronic Plus, which allows the car to steer itself so it stays in its lane at speeds up to 124mph.