Luxury cars are all the rage right now. Even if you're not in the market for a “luxury car” you still want luxurious features and amenities to appear in your econobox purchase. Manufacturers recognize this, from the bottom of the bunch right up to the top. They all recognize the consumer's need for overall quality in assembly and materials used.

For companies like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volvo (just to name a few), making sure their products' quality is a step above the rest takes very little effort, and so they can focus on bigger and better things: like performance and driveability.

Such is the case with the brand new 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe. Recently separated from the CLK class, the new two-door C-Class is offered in two variants, C250 and C350. I spent the week behind the “baby” of the bunch, the C250. And while it might be the younger sibling, it is by no means living in its bigger brother's shadow.

Recently separated from the CLK class, the new two-door C-Class is offered in two variants, C250 and C350. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com)

Looking mean
Since the introduction of the SLS AMG, Mercedes-Benz has transferred the uber-aggressive look of the sports car to the rest of its lineup. While not an exact match by any means – because, really, the SLS AMG stands alone for so many reasons – there are definitely hints of the two-seater's front fascia across the Merc family nowadays, and that's just fine with me.

Decked out in white with an all-glass, tinted black roof, my 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe was dressed to kill. While at first glance the new C-Class coupe looks simple on the outside, upon closer inspection it's the small details that make it so appealing.

For starters, the aggressive two-bar front grille and oversized MB logo coupled with the scowling headlights makes for an impressively intimidating road warrior look. Let your eye travel down the side of the Merc and you'll see an oh-so subtle hipline just below the beltline that gives the Merc a sexy, angular look. An upturned rear eliminates the need for a wing, but offers the same sporty effect.

From the outside, there's no denying the C250 Coupe is a head-turner – especially at night. It's amazing how two simple lines of LED fog lights can still garner so much attention.

The aggressive two-bar front grille and oversized MB logo coupled with the scowling headlights makes for an impressively intimidating road warrior look. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com)