Do I understand this correctly? That is great news. I was reading the newest issue of MB Enthusiast, and they had an article about the C230 and all the engines they will offer for next model year. I hear the 240 6 speed, as well as the 3.2 ltr V6 will be offered. This will give you all the speed you should need... Nah.. never enuf.

Read the article again. This may be the case for Europe but the 2003 engine choice is the same as current but tweaked.

Is this article online? And more the question.. would you want the 3.2 in the coupe? Thats adding even more weight and more price and soon it would be mid $30'000s and a 3500+ lb car. I'd rather work on the 2.3.

Andrew

I'd want the sedan if I had 349 HP under the hood. Except the C Class AMG does not come in manual, so if they were to use the AMG V6 in the Coupe would they use the automatic? A six speed would be very nice, and it's nice to hear that MB is at least thinking of coupling a manual tranny on that engine for consumer use.

I think they probably meant the normally aspirated 3.2 V-6 and not the AMG engine. I think it is likely that the all aluminum V-6 is lighter than the iron block 4 and its supercharger.

I suspect that the weight difference is about zero actually... all the more reason to dump the 3.2 into the coupe... although naming it could get interesting.

on the other hand, we'll never see it here anyway.

I would bet big that the 3.2 engine is considerably heavier and more expensive- doesn't it too have an iron block? I'd say a good 100 lbs. more than than the 2.3 and the supercharger. And for what 23 hp and more weight?? I'll pass and they probably wouldn't give it a manual anyhow- a lame idea MO.

Redesign an all aluminum (lighter) 4 that would put out 180-190 on its own, but keep the boost for Pete's sake. That would easily make 220 without working it too hard I figure. Get it to around 3150lbs. with 220hp and 230lb/ft of torque and then you can truly call it "sport coupe" and it could easily hang with the likes of the 330 (speed wise here) and dare I say WRX. Don't let the base climb above the 325s and you've got a real winner. CD players are standard equip MB- duh! Cheap speed from Mercedes? Who could resist? Certainly not me! I may be dreaming but it doesn't sound that crazy, right?? I sure can't complain now either because one little $325 chip is supposed to provide those numbers! I'd be ecstatic if it did but I'd still be on line for the lighter, smoother, up to date engine!! I'll give ya some time MB, thanks for this one in the meantime- easy choice.

C230/6speed/orion/C7/changer on order - 1 more month dammit!
91 mr2 turbo - never selling my baby.:p