New Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class Revealed

C-Class' hatchback has arrived
by Gustavo Henrique Ruffo
January 27, 2008 11:29 PM
Filed Under: German, Mercedes-Benz

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:

Interior

Exterior/technology

  • Cognac brown highlight colour (with leather appointments)

  • Direct-steer system with variable, sporty, dynamic rack ratio

  • Black roof liner

  • Front design: headlamps with black inner surround; radiator grille with black louvres and chrome highlights

  • Instrument cluster with chequered flag pattern dial and red needles; rev counter and speedometer with needles in "6 o'clock position"

  • Rear design: darkened tail lights; third brake light in smoked glass look; diffusor-look bumper; oval stainless-steel exhaust silencers

  • Leather sports steering wheel

  • 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels (18 inch) with wide-base tyres 225/40 R 18 (front) and 245/35 R 18 (rear)

  • ARTICO man-made leather upholstery in black or alpaca grey

  • Sports suspension

  • Aluminium-look gear lever with leather gaiter

  • Sporty engine sound (with petrol engines)

  • Brushed stainless steel sports pedals with rubber studs

  • Sports air filter for the V6 models

  • Gearshift paddles on sports steering wheel (with automatic transmission)

  • Dark brushed aluminium trim elements


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
Source: Daimler AG
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Comments

This car is the CUTEST car i've ever seen it is very tiny and ... its realy Great in everything

by blaconque | January 28, 2008 12:11 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.

by ck314 | January 28, 2008 12:25 AM
Let's see you design a car for mercedes benz then genius.

by Straiyan | 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...

by Kaamraan | January 28, 2008 4:41 PM
My comment's at the bottom. sorry

by Kaamraan | January 28, 2008 4:49 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.

by ck314 | January 28, 2008 7:02 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.

by MB.65 | January 28, 2008 8:51 PM
i like it though :( oh well :)

by wjaprep | January 28, 2008 10:50 PM
I have to STRONLGLY AGREE, with you my friend!!!!

by benzboy | February 27, 2008 4:43 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.

by bernardo | January 28, 2008 12:29 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

by dolcegabbana | January 28, 2008 12:34 AM
of course it is not that perfect ... but it is a very beautiful Mrecedes!!!

by blaconque | January 28, 2008 12:41 AM
yep :)

by wjaprep | January 28, 2008 10:50 PM
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

by dom6698 | January 28, 2008 12:55 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

by dolcegabbana | January 28, 2008 1:28 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.

by ck314 | January 28, 2008 1:30 AM
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.

by Straiyan | January 28, 2008 4:48 PM
It's not my opinion but a fact, and what's whinging?? Learn to spell instead of telling others what to do.

by ck314 | January 28, 2008 5:54 PM
No offence, but how is it not an opinion? Those are your thoughts on the car, which makes it your opinion.

by wjaprep | January 28, 2008 10:54 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.

by ck314 | January 28, 2008 11:20 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.

by Straiyan | January 29, 2008 2:32 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.

by ck314 | January 29, 2008 6:36 PM
"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.

by wjaprep | January 30, 2008 1:13 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.

by Straiyan | January 30, 2008 11:56 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.

by ck314 | January 31, 2008 12:45 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.

by Straiyan | January 31, 2008 10:06 AM
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 ;)

by ck314 | February 1, 2008 6:26 PM
My solid argument is that you sir are indeed epically screwed in the head:) Which is probably why you never make sense. Honestly:)

by Straiyan | February 2, 2008 12:14 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 ;)

by ck314 | February 2, 2008 3:00 PM
hate it, looks like the old C-class coupe, with a lexus rear end..

by bakrione | January 28, 2008 2:06 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??

by SD-AMG | January 28, 2008 2:43 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

by Benzboy | January 28, 2008 10:45 AM
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?

by ck314 | January 28, 2008 7:10 PM
very funny!!!!!! it's a new variety of coupe and convertible?

by cayenne | January 28, 2008 4:53 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!

by wisp | January 28, 2008 7:12 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.

by wisp | January 28, 2008 7:14 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!

by mickey_f1 | January 28, 2008 9:55 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).

by Herr.Bugno | January 28, 2008 10:36 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.

by afterace2 | January 28, 2008 10:48 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.

by Benzboy | January 28, 2008 10:52 AM
Oh and by the way doesnt this car from a side view look like one of those two door scions hatchbacks

by Benzboy | January 28, 2008 10:54 AM
Worse, just do a google search: Citroen Xsara Coupé

by ck314 | January 28, 2008 7:22 PM
For a portuguese MB fan this is my worst nightmare!! Old interior?? Old fashion rear like a Primera?? God help this guys! :(

by jackson16 | January 28, 2008 11:08 AM
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...

by catch22 | January 28, 2008 12:56 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

by SDman | January 28, 2008 1:28 PM
will we see a 6.3 lite amg model.

by mpho | January 28, 2008 2:44 PM
That would be insanely awesome on such a little wheelbase:)

by Straiyan | January 28, 2008 4:49 PM
and a waste of a perfectly good AMG engine. not worth it in this recycled crap.

by MB.65 | January 28, 2008 9:05 PM
whats this?????just a facelift of previous model???shame u mercedes......why you call it full new???

by designerr | January 28, 2008 3:01 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 ?

by Zaskar | January 28, 2008 3:04 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

by designerr | January 28, 2008 3:11 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.

by Zaskar | January 28, 2008 3:15 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

by Kaamraan | January 28, 2008 4:48 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.

by designerr | January 28, 2008 4:51 PM
but dont forget, i belive mercedes design team go wrong on this model......

by designerr | January 28, 2008 4:57 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.

by Zaskar | January 28, 2008 5:41 PM
it is ugly,the ugliest MB

by phobos | January 28, 2008 6:02 PM
Audi is untouchable when it comes to design. This car is undoubtedly one of the ugliest Merc's to date.

by car.fan | January 28, 2008 7:46 PM
Give us (U.S.) the B-class!!! This car is so..."16 Candles"

by mroctober | January 28, 2008 8:24 PM
I'd rather have a 1 series coupe - anyday of the week.

by stillthewhizz | January 28, 2008 8:54 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!

by benz_man | January 28, 2008 9:05 PM
I love the interior especially the seats and the colours. I'd rather buy a Passat CC, sorry!

by Penner | January 28, 2008 9:20 PM
I hate the rear lights.

by paaaaaatrick | January 28, 2008 10:01 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 :).

by wjaprep | January 28, 2008 11:01 PM
Look at that beautiful design , great engines , safety and everything . THAT'S A GERMAN CAR !

by german-cars-lover | January 28, 2008 11:48 PM
yea and its a pretty crappy german car too.

by MB.65 | January 30, 2008 1:17 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!!

by Emrys_Myrddin | January 29, 2008 1:45 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.

by maybachmbenz | January 29, 2008 1:57 AM
I like it!

by Pentium | January 29, 2008 4:12 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..

by joseferreira | January 29, 2008 11:10 PM
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?

by paulieri | January 30, 2008 4:08 AM
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

by maybachmbenz | January 31, 2008 8:11 PM
Just noticed this, when they have the silhouettes of the coupes, the CLK isnt there... hump...

by wjaprep | February 18, 2008 10:32 PM
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,

by benzboy | February 27, 2008 4:51 AM

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