January26
Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled its CLC-Class sports coupe/hatchback, which is a replacement to the vehicle formerly known as the C-Class Coupe. It is styled to look like the company's new C-Class sedan and wagon, despite still being based on the previous-generation model.
About 1,100 components were either specially made for the CLC or refined from the previous model. The new CLC was given a direct steering system for increased handling and the coupe will also feature a new infotainment system.
The model shown s equipped with Mercedes-Benz's sport package, which adds 18 inch wheels, headlights with black painted inner frames, a sports suspension with lowered bodywork and chrome trim.
The basic CLC180 Kompressor and CLC200 Kompressor are powered by four-cylinder engines, delivering 143 horsepower and 184 horsepower, respectively.
The more powerful CLC230 delivers 204 horsepower from a 2.4-liter V6, and the range-topping CLC350 offers 272 horsepower from a larger 3.5-liter V6. The 350 model will sprint to 62 mph in 6.3 seconds.
Diesel variants include the CLC200 CDI and CLC220 CDI, which deliver 122 horsepower and 150 horsepower, respectively. Basic transmission choices include a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual. The V6 models are available with a seven-speed automatic, featuring paddle shifting.
"About 1,100 components were either specially made for the CLC or refined from the previous model."
Aww crap, so we get the same cheapass interior like the previous gen? It's the Merc for highschool kids. No wonder they had to put that girl to cover up the hideous styling…
I like it! I just don't know if I can afford the 3.5… the 3.0 isn't really going to be much fun to drive hard.
What is this CLC supposed to be, the successor to the old C200 coupes? Those weird hatchbacks that sold poorly in N. America throughout the late 90's early 2000's?
Deanster.. apparently so.. the old C-class coupe is now called CLC. The most embarrasing part is that only the front clip has changed.. from the A-pillar back it's the same old last-gen C-class
A new name doesn't make a new car.
Mercedes seems to be trying to expand into what it already has. why change the name and design, when it would be less confusing to just redesign it.
christianboy - yea, but this is like a 1-series competitor. It's probably no bigger than the Civic or something.
Wake me up when it's over.
This isn't going to be sold in the states is it?
I can't believe they based it off of the last gen, and that the interior hasn't really changed.
wish it wasn't so hatchbackie
The aborted Benz that should not have been. I hated it back then, and I hate it now.
doesnt look too bad actually.
it looks nice. DID ANYONE NOTICE THE SPOTS ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND ON THE ARM REST??? Hope they touch up those photos before those get more circulation.
It's not bad but it's a "deja vu", anyway.
The front lights (if anybody looks carefully!!!) looks like fine-tuned 1998 Opel Astraligts, and when I watched the back for the first time the tail-lights remembered me of 80s and 90s Lancias!!!
ugly, I would get a g35 before this
poor man's benz and still as ugly as the last one
I first thought it was ugly but the more I look at it, the more I like it. Like how I feel about all BMW's. But I do think Mercedes and Audi alike need to do something and create a similar thing to BMW's Hoffmeister Kink.
Its ok…Better than the previous one and at least. Im not sure people really want this kind of car with Mercedes though.
Spots on the seat/armrest are the guy's jizz spatter from banging the skinny blonde in the backseat
Sweet
There's Ugly, then there's Fugly, and at the worst there's Mugly (Mercedes-ugly).
Did they just fill in where the top half of the tail-light used to be with a plastic panel ? Between that and the dashboard, this is Kia grade cheap looking.
Is this going to the US?
NICE HYUNDAI
There are always will be wannabes who have a biological need to be seen in a car with three pointed star. Most of consumers do not buy entirely on driving merit of a car. I doubt that Benz can fail with this. Even R class is selling, not like E sedans, but Benz dealers don't go broke.
I don't like it. I don't understand why Merc still insists on trying to shove hatchbacks down our throats, as the previous C-coupe/hatch sold poorly.
I'm actually a fan of hatchbacks, but the Merc hatch won't sell in the US no matter what, period.
CLC200 CDI with 122hp? Come on… Here in Europe we have the BMW 1-series with 143hp, 177hp and 204hp, namely the 118d, 120d and 123d. I have driven the cheapest version, 118d, and is it so much fun to drive compared with the fwd Audi A3 2.0tdi. Given that the 1-series is a direct rival to the CLC, Mercedes is in clear disadvantage in terms of diesel engines available. To crack the competitive european market you need excellent diesels for this segment.
What the hell is CLC supposed to mean?
Beyond that… it desperately needs a new interior. With a quirky design like that, it's gonna need a good interior.
CLC = Crappy Little Car.
LMAO-Ricardo.
I don't think it's really a crappy car per se, but a entry level "look at me, I have a Mercedes!" type of car.
Sort of like the Lexus ES, which I'm not afraid to admit.
Autonut, check your sources. R-Class is not selling well. In fact, BMW cancelled its R-Class competitor based on how poorly R-Class sales were.
LOL Ricardo!
It's embarrassing how poorly they adapted the current C-class front clip and taillights to the old C-coupe.. I've never seen such poorly shaped/gappy fender cutlines, and the plastic "spoiler" capping the old taillights and decklid is definitely cheap city.
Contrary to others' opinions, I think the Mercedes CLC is a nice car.
It has a more appealing design than the old C-class sportscoupe. The rear end looks significantly better than the old model.
Furthermore, the design is also more appealing than the ugly B-class and R-class. The CLC makes the B-class and R-class look bloated and unappealing. Thumbs up to the CLC.
Just when you thought Mercedes was getting their $%#* together……
Let's fall down the stairs again, for old times sake.
A Mercedes for those who want something more mature than a GTi, and and think the 1-series is too hip and trendy….
It's the new anti-cool.
Nice!
DrFill
I liked the old generation version of this, this one looks good too. cool stuff.
This will not be available in the US. MBUSA knows that the hatches were a mistake in the early 2000's and that there is a bigger demand for them in Europe. All of us Mercedes-Benz "truists" have nothing to worry about on this side of the Atlantic.
i think mb is making a mistake here, just like they did with last model's c-class coupe/hatchback…its too hatchback in order to be accept it in US as premium/luxury car. this is definitely not in a same league with 3 coupe
Finally! A $40k car that looks like a 92 Integra! Never thought I'd see the day.
Why do they make this car? The rear-end is hidious. The last c-class sportcoupé was ugly, this is not much better. Some changes to the rear-end must be made…
I guess I'm in the minority here. I love what MBZ has done with the front end of the new C-Class. I will agree with you guys that the C-Class front end doesn't look good on this thing. I've always disliked hatchback design because the deck lid area is just too high up. Reminds me of the first-gen Lexus IS which I also think is ugly.
I'll tell you what's really weird lookin, a Brabus A-Class that I saw in Mexico a couple weeks ago when I spent a week there.