The first presentation of the C Sportcoupe model was held in Paris in 2000. The design of the Sportcoupe derives from the C-Class but the vehicle is aimed at younger and less wealthy buyers. At the beginning of 2004, the vehicle underwent a minor modernization. In the C 180, C 200, and C 200 CGI versions, the model is driven by a 1.8-liter of 143, 163 and 170 hp, respectively, the latter having direct fuel injection, and all of them mechanically turbocharged. In the C230 version, there is a 2.5-liter 204 hp V6 unit, in the C 350 – a new 3.5-liter 272 hp V6 plant, while the C 200 CDI and C 220 CDI feature a 2.2-liter 122 or 150 hp diesel.