New Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class Revealed

Press Release

Youthful and self-assured

• New model series as entry route into the world of Mercedes-Benz coupés
• Some 1100 new and improved components inside and out
• Sports package with exclusive technology

CLC - a new addition to the Mercedes alphabet which stands for a new stand-alone model series - the new member of the successful Mercedes-Benz coupé family. The CLC is the "youngster" in this coupé line-up - a thoroughly sporty model, lively, self-assured and exciting. A compelling blend of attractive design, reliable safety, tried-and-trusted technology and everyday multipurpose functionality. In short, a genuine Mercedes-Benz whose price tag of less than EUR 30,000 offers an entry route into the coupé line-up of this renowned brand.

The CLC opens up a new chapter in the success story of the C-Class Sports Coupé, which has enthralled some 320,000 drivers around the world since 2001. It was a conquest model, not least because 70 percent of its buyers had never before opted for a Mercedes-Benz. The two-door model took them by storm, primarily attracting new customers for the brand bearing the famous star. With this virtually unrivalled conquest rate, the Sports Coupé is one of the star performers of the Mercedes strategic product initiative.

It is one thing to conquer new customers, but maintaining their enthusiasm for the brand over the long term is another challenge. The Mercedes Sports Coupé has managed to do both: more than two thirds of buyers of the predecessor to the CLC were very satisfied with their car and remained loyal to the brand. Better still, some 43 percent of these loyal customers actually opted for a larger Mercedes-Benz after the Sports Coupé and are currently driving an E-Class, CLK or an SLK.

In the spring of 2008 the new Mercedes Sports Coupé will take to the road, bringing with it even more winning attributes so it can continue to secure new conquests like its predecessor.

Standard equipment: typical Mercedes-Benz

The designers and engineers have enhanced or newly developed over 1100 parts, creating a contemporary Sports Coupé, whose all-new front and rear design, along with its even more agile handling in particular, all testify to its metamorphosis, achieved without compromising the proven Mercedes standards in terms of safety and comfort. The progress is measurable in terms of fuel consumption, too: retuned engines have managed to cut fuel consumption by up to 0.7 litres per 100 kilometres compared with the predecessor, the equivalent of some 10.8 percent.

Even with just its standard equipment, the new CLC offers a wealth of attractive and practical features. Take for instance the sports seats with better lateral support than ever, THERMATIC automatic climate control system, six-speed transmission, three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, six airbags, belt tensioners and belt-force limiters for all seats as well as the new projection-beam headlamps.

A selection of the extensive range of standard equipment:

• Stowage compartment with cup holder in tunnel covering
• Adaptive airbags for driver and front passenger
• Acceleration skid control (ASR)
• Electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors
• Outside temperature display
• Brake Assist
• Diesel particulate filter (for CDI models)
• ESP®
• Headlamp Assist
• Front power windows
• 1/3 : 2/3 split-folding rear seats
• Luggage net in front-passenger footwell
• Belt tensioner and belt-force limiter for driver, front passenger and rear passengers
• THERMATIC automatic climate control with dust and activated charcoal filter
• Instrument cluster with white needles
• Light-alloy wheels (from CLC 230)
• Steering column adjustable for reach and height
• Three-spoke multifunction steering wheel with eight buttons
• Fog lamps
• Head restraints adjustable for fore-aft position and height, front and rear
• Halogen projection-beam headlamps
• ELCODE locking system with infrared/radio remote control
• Power steering
• Sidebags for driver and front passenger
• Front sports seats with EASY-ENTRY system
• Diffusor-look rear bumper
• Heat-insulating glass
• Windowbags
• Central locking with crash sensor
• Trim elements in brushed aluminium

Optional extras: factory-fitted individuality and innovations

Individuality is a key component in any coupé. Mercedes-Benz offers its customers a wide range of factory-fitted options so they can tailor the CLC to their own tastes and lifestyle. For instance, customers have a choice of three different upholstery fabrics, three leather colours and many optional extras – ranging from the panoramic sliding sunroof to the dark-tinted rear window and rear side windows, the newly developed infotainment system with colour display and voice control to the bi-xenon headlamps with additional cornering light function. CLC customers also have the option of ten different light-alloy wheels and tyre sizes.

Selected optional extras include:

• Bi-xenon headlamps with cornering light function and cleaning system
• Five-speed automatic transmission
• Direct-steer system
• Latest-generation infotainment units
• Leather appointments
• Leather steering wheel and gear lever
• Light-alloy wheels (standard from CLC 230)
• Media interface for external MP3 players and other audio devices
• Panoramic sliding sunroof
• PARKTRONIC with new sensors and reprogrammed control logic
• Rain sensor
• Rear sidebags
• Seven-speed automatic transmission (for CLC 230 and CLC 350)
• Heated front seats
• Voice-operated control system with whole-word recognition capability
• Surround sound system
• THERMOTRONIC luxury automatic climate control system (in the Exclusive package)
• Trim elements in bird's-eye maple

Sports package: even more agility

 The sports package further underlines the sporty credentials of the new Mercedes-Benz CLC. Take for instance the headlamps with the dark-tinted surround, darkened tail lights, special aluminium trim elements in the interior, a black roof liner and 18-inch light-alloy wheels. The message from this exclusive model variant is unmistakable: get in and experience a heightened sense of driving enjoyment.

Sports package equipment (selection) at a glance:

In addition to the sports package, Mercedes-Benz offers two other attractive, favourably priced equipment packages for the new CLC:

• The Exclusive package includes the THERMOTRONIC luxury automatic climate control system as well as electrically adjustable front seats with memory function for seat, head restraint, steering wheel and mirror settings
• The Comfort package includes automatically dimming mirrors, electrically folding exterior mirrors, a rain sensor and a system which warns the driver if the tyre pressure is too low