Mercedes-Benz is responding to the threat from the BMW 1 Series Coupé by giving its C-Class Sports Coupé a thorough reworking.

Due to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and likely to be on sale in the UK late spring, the new model takes the front-end styling and engines from the new C-Class saloon and blends it into the current three-door car.

Prices will start at under £20,000 for the C180 Kompressor, and other engines will include the V6 petrol and diesel units, as well as C200 and C220 CDI diesels.