New Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class Revealed

Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class / Daimler

C-Class' hatchback has arrived

By Gustavo Henrique Ruffo
January 27, 2008 11:29 PM
Filed Under: German, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz has released the first official pictures of the new C Class Sport Coupe, or else, the CLC, the name the company has decided to give to the hatchback version of the C-Class. In fact, if the German manufacturer had kept the same name, it would be no problem, since it has already kept the old architecture.

The CLC will be produced in Brazil, in the Juiz de Fora plant which Mercedes-Benz built to produce the A-Class. At the end of its production, this facility almost closed its doors before the company managed to find out what to do with it. The solution was the production of the C-Class Sport Coupe, what in part explains why the company has decided to keep the previous platform structure for the CLC. Boot capacity, for example, is the same: 310 liters.

The new CLC, as the company’s press release states, has only had its front and rear end redesigned, in order to follow the sedan's visual identity, but Mercedes-Benz underlines almost 1,100 components have been newly developed or enhanced. We will only know what it means when we drive the car, but the German automaker says the uprated engines (especially the four-cylinder 1.8-liter that pushes the C200 Kompressor and now delivers 184 bhp) and a direct-steer system will provide a much sportier behavior.

The direct-steer system consists of a variable rack ratio associated with a speed-sensitive power steering. To sum up, this means that the driver will have to turn the wheel less in corners, what may be interesting at high speeds.

There will be six powerplant offers for the car: two turbodiesel four-cylinder engines and two four-cylinder and two six-cylinder motors that run on gasoline. They range from 122 bhp to 272 bhp. Fuel economy has been improved by up to 10.8%. A six-speed manual transmition will be standard to all models, with two automatic options, a five-speed for the four cylinder engines and the 7G-TRONIC for the six-cylinder powerplants.

Source: Daimler AG

Press Release (Click to expand)

The new Mercedes-Benz CLC: Sports Coupé with fun factor


Stuttgart - Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a stand-alone model series in the guise of the new CLC, the compelling entry-level model in the Mercedes-Benz coupé family. The Sports Coupé's design, technology and equipment meet the discerning requirements of young drivers looking for an athletic car that gives an involving drive, while at the same time delivering the hallmark Mercedes quality standards in terms of safety, comfort, environmental compatibility and functionality. Compared with the previous Sports Coupé, the Mercedes engineers have newly developed or enhanced over 1100 components. Engineering highlights of the CLC include a new direct-steer system for even more agile cornering, state-of-the-art infotainment systems featuring a colour display, Europe-wide DVD or hard-disc navigation and media interface, as well as an uprated four-cylinder engine that now develops 135 kW/184 hp. Fuel consumption has been reduced by up to 10.8 percent compared with the outgoing model.

The compact body dimensions and the muscular lines emphasise the sporty appearance of the new CLC. The Mercedes designers have completely redesigned the front and rear so that the Sports Coupé embodies the contemporary Mercedes design idiom with its distinctive coupé radiator grille featuring a large Mercedes star in the centre, and the new projection-beam headlamps. The S-Class, the luxury CL-Class Coupé and the C-Class provided the stylistic models. The redesigned large tailgate conceals a variable boot with up to 1100 litres of luggage capacity. The new tail lights, the long row of LEDs which make up the third brake light unit and the rear bumper subdivide the rear and emphasise its width.

The interior of the new Mercedes-Benz CLC is akin to a contemporary tailor-made suit - custom-fit and comfortable. Sports seats with better lateral support than ever, a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, automatic climate control and brushed aluminium trim elements form part of the standard specification.

A choice of seat covers in black, alpaca grey and a particularly stylish combination of black and red are available to give the interior its individual colour scheme.

Sports package with new direct-steer system and 18-inch wheels

Mercedes-Benz has put together the sports package for drivers looking for sporting flair. It includes exclusive engineering innovations and equipment extras such as 18-inch light-alloy wheels, wide-base tyres, headlamps with black inner surrounds, sports suspension with lowered body, leather sports steering wheel and dark brushed aluminium trim elements. Another special feature which the CLC inherits from its racing car counterparts is the instrument cluster with red needles for the speedometer and rev counter. Once the engine is switched on, these needles spin once around the dial before returning to their start positions.

The standard specification for the sports package includes a new direct-steer system, which further enhances the agile driving experience of the CLC while adding an important boost to safety. This new feature is based on the speed-sensitive power steering and also offers a variable rack ratio which changes as a function of the steering angle so that the driver only has to turn the wheel slightly when cornering; the Sports Coupé therefore responds far more spontaneously to steering commands and offers even sportier handling. As a result, the direct-steer system also improves handling safety in critical situations - for instance when taking sudden evasive action - as the field tests conducted by the Mercedes engineers demonstrate.

Engines: fuel consumption reduced by up to 10.8 percent

Mercedes-Benz offers four four-cylinder and two six-cylinder engines with power outputs ranging from 90 kW/122 hp to 200 kW/272 hp for the new CLC. The 135 kW/184 hp powerplant in the CLC 200 KOMPRESSOR now develops an extra 15 kW/20 hp while consuming just 7.8 to 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres in the NEDC cycle - the equivalent of up to 0.7 litres less than before. In consumption terms, with its advanced turbodiesel engines, the CLC falls into the five-litre category: the CLC 200 CDI returns a consumption of 5.8 to 6.1 litres per 100 kilometres in the NEDC cycle, up to 10.8 percent less than the outgoing model. The CDI models boast operating ranges of over 1000 kilometres with a full tank (62 litres).

The six-speed manual transmission comes as standard with all engine variants. Mercedes-Benz can also supply a five-speed automatic transmission for the four cylinder units, and the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission for the V6 models. In combination with the sports package, the driver can use gearshift paddles on the steering wheel to select the gears of the automatic transmission manually and make optimum use of the engines’ high power reserves when the driving situation calls for it.

Infotainment: state-of-the-art technology for navigation and musical enjoyment on wheels

The Mercedes engineers have developed a new generation of infotainment units for the CLC, bringing luxury-class cutting-edge technology to the Sports Coupé as of September 2008. Three units are available, offering a superb combination of colour display, twin tuner, speed-sensitive volume control and Bluetooth mobile phone interface. An iPod, USB stick or other external audio devices can now also be connected to the infotainment system. A new universal media interface (optional extra) links these devices to the on-board electronics and the Sports Coupé's control system, allowing the iPod tracks to be displayed in the instrument cluster and on the colour screen in the centre console. Tracks can then be selected conveniently using the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel.

The new Audio 50 APS and COMAND APS units come with a Europe-wide DVD or hard-disc navigation system. The LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system, which Mercedes-Benz has upgraded with a new whole-word recognition capability, is fitted as standard if the integrated six-disc DVD changer is specified. LINGUATRONIC enables the driver to conveniently operate the telephone, audio and navigation system.

Success story: Sports Coupé with extensive conquest potential

The new CLC is the successor to a successful Mercedes model that boasts some 320,000 drivers around the world to its name since 2001. The majority of these were new Mercedes customers. Its high conquest rate of some 70 percent made the Sports Coupé one of the most successful models in the Mercedes strategic product initiative. With the help of a compelling two-door model, the Stuttgart-based car maker has managed to fire customers' imagination over the long term. Over 40 percent of buyers opted for a larger Mercedes model after the Sports Coupé and are currently driving an E-Class, CLK or an SLK.

Thanks to its sophisticated design, high-quality equipment and appointments, and enhanced technology, the new Mercedes-Benz CLC offers even more conquest potential than its predecessor. The public will get the chance to take a close look at the Sports Coupé for the first time at the European Mercedes sales and service outlets and authorised dealerships in May 2008.

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Comments

Blaconque
January 28, 2008 12:11 AM
This car is the CUTEST car i've ever seen it is very tiny and ... its realy Great in everything

ck314
January 28, 2008 12:25 AM
This car is a load of sh*t, a shame for MB, and is going to erode the outstanding C-Class overall aura. Unless it goes on sale in emerging markets such as Brazil or China only.

Straiyan
January 28, 2008 4:41 PM
Let's see you design a car for mercedes benz then genius.

Kaamraan
January 28, 2008 4:41 PM
Merc is flopping over-badly! First the new C-Class that's like a facelifted 3-Series, then they put up pics of that disgrace of an SLC, then they redesign the SL to look like a frikkin SLK on Ecstacy and now this! I HAVE DESIGNED BETTER LOOKING CARS THAN THIS! I mean I seriously thought that they could do better. Prepare yourself people because they haven't redone the CLK yet...

Kaamraan
January 28, 2008 4:49 PM
My comment's at the bottom. sorry

ck314
January 28, 2008 7:02 PM
I certainly could design an infinitely better looking car than this, but that's not the point: MB's got good designers, the problem here is an erroneus marketing approach.

MB.65
January 28, 2008 8:51 PM
And do you happen to be a car designer, because you certainly don't sound like one. Maybe you can draw something with a peice of paper and a pencil that you think is better looking but you obviously don't understand the process involved. And to all of you idiots up there, are you people implying that one needs to know how to design a car in order to criticze it? I'm not a car designer but I think back of this car is as ugly as f*ck. Go keep your German fanatism or whatever to yourselves.

wjaprep
January 28, 2008 10:50 PM
i like it though :( oh well :)

benzboy
February 27, 2008 4:43 AM
I have to STRONLGLY AGREE, with you my friend!!!!

bernardo
January 28, 2008 12:29 AM
OMG...I'm from brazil..and I'm guessing this car, at least the 122hp powerplant, will be around 40k..thats just gonna destroy the polo, punto and whatever in between.Finally a descent car made in brazil.Congratz MB..you might even make an revolution In brazilian car industry.

With this our crapy/cheap made cars in brazil will have to get really better to keep up with this not no metion other manufacturers coming over.

dolcegabbana
January 28, 2008 12:34 AM
wow Mercedes is bugging the fuKKK out i mean it's a nice looking car but it looks more like the Facelift to the previous c230 coupe , not no CLC i really hope it's only for the 3rd world countries only wtf is wrong with Mercedes OMG i'm loosing my passion towards MB , i mean they started off so good with the CLS , the new S , the new C , and especialy the CL, and now they're just being WIERD i don't know what to say

Blaconque
January 28, 2008 12:41 AM
of course it is not that perfect ... but it is a very beautiful Mrecedes!!!

dom6698
January 28, 2008 12:55 AM
they could at least have put the new C180K and C200 CDI engines in it - 156 and 136 PS at least pushes the engines in line with the new C

dolcegabbana
January 28, 2008 1:28 AM
no it looks very good , but it looks more like an old c coupe than a new c coupe , just with a facelift , they should have done something different on the side and have the new c interior, because that interior looks old as hell i don't underastand how can you consider it as a new model

ck314
January 28, 2008 1:30 AM
blaconque must be a girl... Beautiful mercedes?? Please, it's an old piece of garbage slightly restyled. It looks like a rebadged Citroen Xsara from the'90s. Even back in the days it wasn't up to the older A3, let alone today in regard to BMW's 1-Series. This money should have been invested in a wiser manner.

Straiyan
January 28, 2008 4:48 PM
No one's saying you have to buy it, or look at it for that matter. I know it's only your opinion but stop whinging.

ck314
January 28, 2008 5:54 PM
It's not my opinion but a fact, and what's whinging?? Learn to spell instead of telling others what to do.

wjaprep
January 28, 2008 10:54 PM
No offence, but how is it not an opinion? Those are your thoughts on the car, which makes it your opinion.

ck314
January 28, 2008 11:20 PM
It's not my opinion the fact that it looks like a cheap Citroen, or the fact that its settings (cheap suspension scheme, conservative geometry) brought its dynamics closer to Hyundai than BMW. Go ask any serious car journalist if you dont believe it. They might have improved some details but, as I said, it will never be up to the upcoming Golf or the 1-Series standards in terms of styling and dynamics.

Straiyan
January 29, 2008 2:32 PM
ck314 seems to believe he can do it bigger and better than the world's oldest and most respected car company. This isn't a whole new car man, this is the W203 C Class Sportcoupé replacement (and is still based on the W203 for that matter). You're splitting hairs over a near bottom of the range Mercedes Benz which the company would have invested s**t all time and money into hence why it's still based on the W203.

ck314
January 29, 2008 6:36 PM
Straiyan, are you on drugs? Or just happen to read between the lines. I perfectly know this car is based on the old W203, and anyone with elementary English skills would graps this from my many comments on this thread. I also acknowledged MB's has got great designers. My point being this car makes no sense in Western markets and will never sell for being an outmoded medocre car compared to its sophisticated premium rivals. However, if you're a troll I must salute your skills.

wjaprep
January 30, 2008 1:13 AM
"Beautiful mercedes?? Please, it's an old piece of garbage slightly restyled" Well to me i think that kind of is your opinion that you dont find it a beauitful Mercedes is what i was aiming at, because I like it except from where you can see the remains of the old tail lamp. Anyway, Im not so sure though about it selling in the western markets (Assuming you mean the U.S.) because if it has that 3 pointed star on the front chances are we will buy it, case in point the R class, but it may not sale, time will tell. Either way the car already seems popular on here, lol.

Straiyan
January 30, 2008 11:56 AM
Nah man you're full of it, go cry somewhere else about a car MB's designers slapped together in their spare time. Seems to me as if you hate the current Mercedes lineup from your other forum posts, you obviously fail to appreciate the world's most influential car company.

They are your opinions, do not deny it cos you can't back what your saying up with solid fact.

If you think MB's marketed the car wrong, then how about you share the right way with us mate and stop complaining about the competency level of this forum, you seem to discuss that more than anything else in your posts.

ck314
January 31, 2008 12:45 AM
As I said you must be on drugs or you are just a sad provocator, and Im not going to waste my time arguing with such a reject anymore. So it's not a fact that this car is based on some old, technically outdated car? It's not a fact that it never sold well? It's not a fact that it will never be up to its alleged competition (Golf 6, A3, BMW 1...). Dude I have grown up surrounded by Mercedes, and youll hardly find a bigger MB fan than myself. And what other Mercedes have I criticised other than this 3rd world crap? You're so full of sh*t your mom must have comitted suicide after giving birth.

Straiyan
January 31, 2008 10:06 AM
Ok, first up i'm not even going to bother with taking you seriously if all your best response involves my mother. I'm the one on drugs? Pfff yeah right mate.

Awww I grew up around Mercs too so don't feel too special there, i don't have time in which to spend with people with an IQ lower than their shoe size:) So good luck with your whining. No one knows or cares about most of the stuff you're on about anyway. As for the personal attack (on my mother) that was weak mate, something this POS Mercedes would say if it could talk.

BTW i never said this was a brilliant car.

ck314
February 1, 2008 6:26 PM
All this babble to confirm you have no solid arguments, hence no IQ at all, and I didn't pick on your mom, rather the opposite, I sincerely admire her for having put up with such a failure all these years ;)

Straiyan
February 2, 2008 12:14 PM
My solid argument is that you sir are indeed epically screwed in the head:) Which is probably why you never make sense. Honestly:)

ck314
February 2, 2008 3:00 PM
ahahaha That's your typical deluded nut, attributing to others their own illness! I do make sense, proof is you're the only one arguing and I'm still waiting for you to come up with *logic* arguments to what I stated. Name calling is obviously all you can resort to when you're against the wall ;)

bakrione
January 28, 2008 2:06 AM
hate it, looks like the old C-class coupe, with a lexus rear end..

SD-AMG
January 28, 2008 2:43 AM
It looks great! So much better than the "previous" model. Yeah, say what you want about Mercedes, but try to think of the future of car industry we are about to enter. The big earnings are starting to disappear, and as a conseqence of that, BMW is about to fire 8000 employees. You have to make some new strategies in order to survive! And I think this coupé is great! The w203 has always been a good car, and after the facelift in 04, it was also pretty sporty to drive! And BTW it IS an w203 with a facelift. Could that explain the looks maybe??

benzboy
January 28, 2008 10:45 AM
I am just very curious what does SD=AMG stand for or mean are you from south dakota or sandiego? just want to know thanks benzboy

ck314
January 28, 2008 7:10 PM
SD-AMG, complex socio-economic issues don't justify a thirld world approach (taking an old and already average base and re-lift it once and again). Buyers in this premium compact segment demand the latest trends in design and technolgy. How is this POS going to seriously rival VW's Golf VI, Audi's 2009 A3 or BMW's 1-series?

cayenne
January 28, 2008 4:53 AM
very funny!!!!!! it's a new variety of coupe and convertible?

wisp
January 28, 2008 7:12 AM
The rear lights run outof space, This car was designed by a bored Mec employee who ended up mixing papers (old designs with new). This ugly duckiling certainly will not blossom into a swarm and to make matters worse it's rivals (A5 and BMW) have made better coupes plus the incoming 1 series coupe. Even if i was a die hard Merc fan i'd bury my head in the sand. Just take a look at that 1998 Nissan Primera rear light copy. Ohhhh!

wisp
January 28, 2008 7:14 AM
The rear lights run outof space, This car was designed by a bored Merc employee who ended up mixing papers (old designs with new). This ugly duckling certainly will not blossom into a swarn and to make matters worse it's rivals (A5 and BMW 3 series plus incoming 1 series coupe) have made better coupes. If i was a die hard Merc fan i'd bury my head in the sand. Just take a look at that 1998 Nissan Primera rear light copy. Ohhhh i need to have my eyes tested, coz i'm sure i've gone blind.

mickey_f1
January 28, 2008 9:55 AM
Disappointing...really! The front is just fine, but this rear is uglier than an old Rover. I think they must be using the same doors as in the old one... At least the BMW 1 series is still the worst crap in this class!

Herr.Bugno
January 28, 2008 10:36 AM
Congratulations to the journalists! In the short paragraph on the top there is more useful information than in the neverending press release (that doesn´t even mention that the car is based on the old C-Klasse).

afterace2
January 28, 2008 10:48 AM
They've ruined the rear by extending the rear lights to the hatch !!!! Not to mention the half meter 3rd brake light :/ It could be nice without this.

benzboy
January 28, 2008 10:52 AM
this car and design kills the exclusitivity or pride of owning a mercedes. You used to have pride in owning something not everyone could afford,when I see MB make low budget cars like this I am reminded of why pay 10k for real rolex when you can buy a close knock off for under thirty bucks. This car hurts me.

benzboy
January 28, 2008 10:54 AM
Oh and by the way doesnt this car from a side view look like one of those two door scions hatchbacks

ck314
January 28, 2008 7:22 PM
Worse, just do a google search: Citroen Xsara Coupé

jackson16
January 28, 2008 11:08 AM
For a portuguese MB fan this is my worst nightmare!! Old interior?? Old fashion rear like a Primera?? God help this guys! :(

catch22
January 28, 2008 12:56 PM
Actually the interior feels and looks better than the new Merc C-Class. This is also not based on the fact that I hate the new one. They wouldn't be able to modify the old center fascia to adapt the new one anyway...

What disturbs me most is MB's arrogance of ignoring the hatchback class. Audi and BMW have 3 door, 5 door hatchback variants, as well as cabriolets and coupes built on these platforms. However MB still wants to convince us that this s***ty small coupe-wannabe and the B-Class are enough for the small car market. Come on Merc, the game has moved on and you're left behind...

SDman
January 28, 2008 1:28 PM
its all bout cost savings..as vehicle lightings are very expensive to build.. front from the new C and rear from the B class (looks like it doesnt it) they tried to come out with a new model without spending too much on new parts.. ya its better than the previous model.. but if they were to build a completely new CLC (base on the W204 C) im sure it will look better.. not bad.. could be better

mpho
January 28, 2008 2:44 PM
will we see a 6.3 lite amg model.

Straiyan
January 28, 2008 4:49 PM
That would be insanely awesome on such a little wheelbase:)

MB.65
January 28, 2008 9:05 PM
and a waste of a perfectly good AMG engine. not worth it in this recycled crap.

designerr
January 28, 2008 3:01 PM
whats this?????just a facelift of previous model???shame u mercedes......why you call it full new???

Zaskar
January 28, 2008 3:04 PM
This car is based on the W203 ... same car as the old CLC, interior the same besides steering wheel and some little stuff. @wisp This car isnt a rival to the A5 .. totally different class ??? A3 Sportback is the rival. @mpho Why would you come out with an AMG version of this car ? Who is gonna buy that ?

designerr
January 28, 2008 3:11 PM
why it use old interior???mr. MB please look at BMW,AUDI,VW....i talk about new design not performance.....do better for MB lovers ,,please

Zaskar
January 28, 2008 3:15 PM
@designerr Old interior, because its an old car .. ! Would pry cost too much to put the new C-Class interior into this old model. But, to be honest: the old C-Class interior feels alot better than the one in the W204. Looks and feels alot cheaper, try it out.

Kaamraan
January 28, 2008 4:48 PM
F'sho homey I'll put it on my Facebook in a couple days and put up the link over here. You can't seriously tell me that you think their designs are getting better than what they were or should be. You can't

designerr
January 28, 2008 4:51 PM
Zaskar,i am agree with u ,the old model interior is nice but new one is good as previous model,in new c-class u can see MB new design language....I LOVE OLD MODEL TOO MUCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.....but new model is really nice.

designerr
January 28, 2008 4:57 PM
but dont forget, i belive mercedes design team go wrong on this model......

Zaskar
January 28, 2008 5:41 PM
designerr im not talkin about interior design, im talkin about touch and feel. almost everything in the new c-class feels cheap as hell.

phobos
January 28, 2008 6:02 PM
it is ugly,the ugliest MB

car.fan
January 28, 2008 7:46 PM
Audi is untouchable when it comes to design. This car is undoubtedly one of the ugliest Merc's to date.

mroctober
January 28, 2008 8:24 PM
Give us (U.S.) the B-class!!! This car is so..."16 Candles"

stillthewhizz
January 28, 2008 8:54 PM
I'd rather have a 1 series coupe - anyday of the week.

benz_man
January 28, 2008 9:05 PM
The W203 C-class was arguably the worst product Mercedes has ever sold. Why are they still trying to pedal it to consumers? Its a great car, but a sh**** Mercedes!

Penner
January 28, 2008 9:20 PM
I love the interior especially the seats and the colours. I'd rather buy a Passat CC, sorry!

paaaaaatrick
January 28, 2008 10:01 PM
I hate the rear lights.

wjaprep
January 28, 2008 11:01 PM
As I can tell, alot of you dont like it, but I do like it. I agree it didn't need a new name, nor to be intorduced as a new car, I think Merc should have just intorduced it as the facelifted C class sport coupe. I think the rear 3rd brake light it to long, and I think the shouldve better covered up where the old tail lamps use to be, other than those I like this car. Of corse the inside could be updated but hey, looks simple to use :).

german-cars-lover
January 28, 2008 11:48 PM
Look at that beautiful design , great engines , safety and everything . THAT'S A GERMAN CAR !

MB.65
January 30, 2008 1:17 AM
yea and its a pretty crappy german car too.

Emrys_Myrddin
January 29, 2008 1:45 AM
Beeing a MB fan and a lover of the old sportcoupe (much better looking than the contemporary BMW 3-series compact) this car is a big disapointment... old interior, warn out design... but still, if not for the 1-series, it would be good... but not up to what MB can do!!

maybachmbenz
January 29, 2008 1:57 AM
Gone is the somewhat useful (for reversing) clear polycarbonate narrow window just above the taillights. That has now been replaced by an opaque panel housing a really long LED third brake light.

joseferreira
January 29, 2008 11:10 PM
I can´t understand if the CLC is a new model or just a facelifted C-Class W203 Sportcoupé.. The brand new C-Class will lost some image with this car.. Not well MB..

paulieri
January 30, 2008 4:08 AM
Mercedes is on drugs.......what are they thinking? It's simple, its a facelifted old body style C Kompressor. They should have just introduced it as the facelifted C class sport coupe. Nice dash and doors from the surplus shelves?

maybachmbenz
January 31, 2008 8:11 PM
Here's a video of a CLC-Class on the road from EVO Magazine:

http://www.evo.co.uk/videos/viralvideos/215781/mercedesbenz_clc.html

wjaprep
February 18, 2008 10:32 PM
Just noticed this, when they have the silhouettes of the coupes, the CLK isnt there... hump...

benzboy
February 27, 2008 4:51 AM
the CLC hummm I would rather but a Smart Car, would be better and more orginal than this. The only thing MB is doing is DEGRADING their own brand,

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