When Mercedes launched the W204 C Class saloon and estate in 2007, the C Sports Coupe was left behind (in the guise of the CLC, a refreshed version of the W203 Coupe).

At last, the W204-based AMG Sports Coupe now lives but no longer as a hatch, perhaps one of the few positive points of the old model. Clearly MB has targeted the success of Audi and BMW with their A5 and 3 Series coupes.

The “AMG” badging, in this form akin to BMW M-Sport, gives the sporting appearance of the large tristar emblem in the grill centre with a central air intake below the number plate. This frontal treatment wears bi-xenon headlights plus LED daytime running lights. At the rear LED rear tail lights provide finish, with the longer coupe sitting on 18-inch, seven-spoke AMG alloy wheels.

The interior is straight from the saloon and offers ample space for the front occupants. Much less so for anyone consigned to the rear seats; but then it’s a coupe – so kids only. The rear seats fold, splitting 60:40.

Two-door models generally lose out in the practical stakes to their saloon siblings, but in the case of C Coupe, the boot enjoys the same 16.8 cubic feet of room as the four-door version. This increased capacity over the outgoing model is owed to a greater overhang at the rear – this body is 290mm (almost 12 inches) longer than the W203.

Power units are as you might expect; petrols comprise the C180 Blue Efficiency, six-speed manual as standard transmission with the seven-speed “7Gtronic” auto box optional. The C250 and 350 both have the auto box as standard. Not directly comparable, there is additionally the headliner AMG 6.3 at the top of the price list.

On the diesel side, the choice is between the C220 and the C250, both with the six-speed manual transmission as standard.

Mercedes promotes the Coupe’s dynamic handling, delivered through the sports suspension (lowered by 15mm) and the speed-sensitive steering – and the firm is right, it delivers perfectly well, although the lowered suspension exposes all that pretty plastic at the front end to frequent close encounters of the rural and urban kind.

An effective car with a bit of pizazz? Certainly. Exciting? Not much.

'Strengths'

Sporty on the outside, luxurious on the inside with a nod towards a “driver’s car”, this is a committed coupe, unlike its hatchback predecessor. It will find a willing market for those who believe that form rules over function and do not worry that, occasionally, they will need to carry four adults.

'Weaknesses'

Price. To use the UK for comparison, the entry-level C180 Coupe goes on the road at £30,720. That’s over £5,000 (€6,000) more than the C180 SE four-door and £3,000 (€3,500) more than the C180 Sport four-door. Compare that to the £2,000 (€2,300) premium levied by BMW between the 3 Series entry-level four-door and Coupe.

'Opportunities'

There is an established market for coupes of this size and this looks fit enough to take the challenge to Audi and BMW.

'Threats'

BMW 3 Series Coupe and Audi A5 are tough competitors and promote (and, to some extent, achieve) a much more sporting image and delivery. Mercedes-Benz will need to broaden the offering to keep up – and then there’s that pricing issue.