The Mercedes-Benz CLC, a sporty coupe that debuted in 2008, represents a significant update to the previous generation Sports Coupé, appealing especially to new Mercedes-Benz customers. This model, unveiled during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin, marked a pivotal moment by blending youthful sportiness with Mercedes-Benz’s renowned luxury and engineering. Designated as CLC, this three-door model underwent substantial enhancements with over 1,100 parts newly developed or improved, ensuring it remained fresh and attractive in a competitive market.
Exterior Transformation: Embracing Modern Mercedes-Benz Design
The exterior of the Clc Mercedes Benz immediately showcased a dramatic transformation, particularly at the front and rear. The front section was meticulously redesigned to align with Mercedes-Benz’s contemporary design language, mirroring the aesthetic found in the 204-series C-Class Saloon and Estate models. Key features included a pronounced front sweep with a three-louvre radiator grille, embodying the brand’s iconic star emblem prominently. Newly designed headlamp units featuring halogen projection technology not only improved visibility but also added a modern edge to the vehicle’s face.
Sporty accents were further emphasized by a trapezoidal cooling air inlet integrated into the front bumper, flanked by simulated side air inlets, enhancing the dynamic appearance of the CLC Mercedes Benz. Moving to the rear, the design focused on creating a wider stance. Enlarged, two-section rear lights in a horizontal layout broadened the visual appeal, while a subtly redesigned rear spoiler, less pronounced than its predecessor, contributed to a cleaner, more refined silhouette. The refreshed lines culminated in a diffuser-look bumper, adding a final touch of sporty elegance to the CLC Mercedes Benz.
Interior Sportiness and Premium Features
Inside the CLC Mercedes Benz, the sporty theme continued with numerous details designed to create an engaging and comfortable environment. The cockpit and seats were central to this sporty impression, offering both aesthetic appeal and functional support. Standard seat upholstery options included black, alpaca grey, and a striking black/red combination, allowing for personalized interior aesthetics. For those seeking an even more luxurious feel, optional leather upholstery was available, including a sophisticated cognac brown option when paired with the Sport package.
Trim materials also played a crucial role in defining the interior ambiance. The Sport package featured dark brushed aluminum trim, lending a modern, technical feel, while the standard version offered a lighter color trim, providing a brighter, more open cabin atmosphere. Beyond aesthetics, the CLC Mercedes Benz prioritized comfort and convenience with standard features such as THERMATIC automatic climate control, ensuring a pleasant environment regardless of external conditions. A three-spoke multifunction steering wheel offered intuitive control over vehicle functions, enhancing driver engagement.
Safety was also paramount, with the CLC Mercedes Benz equipped with six airbags, belt tensioners, and belt force limiters for all seats as standard. The optional equipment list was extensive, offering further customization and luxury. Options ranged from a panoramic sliding sunroof, enhancing the sense of space and light, to heavily tinted glazing for rear windows, increasing privacy and reducing heat. Infotainment systems and bi-xenon headlights with cornering light function were also available, catering to both entertainment and safety needs. The optional Sport package further amplified the sporty character with features like dark-surround headlamps, darkened rear lights, a black interior headliner, and larger 18-inch light-alloy wheels, creating a more aggressive and dynamic presence for the CLC Mercedes Benz.
Advanced Infotainment and Audio Systems
A key upgrade in the CLC Mercedes Benz was the advancement in its infotainment systems, incorporating technologies previously exclusive to higher-class vehicles. Customers had a choice of three systems, each featuring a color display, twin tuner for improved radio reception, speed-dependent volume control, keypad, and Bluetooth interface, ensuring connectivity and entertainment were seamlessly integrated. The Audio 20 system provided CD player functionality focused on music playback.
Stepping up, the Audio 50 APS system integrated car radio, telephone capabilities, and pan-European DVD navigation into a unified system, enhancing both convenience and functionality for drivers. The top-tier COMAND APS system offered hard-disc navigation and a music register with substantial storage for approximately 1000 MP3 tracks, providing extensive media options. For audiophiles, Audio 50 APS and COMAND APS could be further enhanced with an optional six-disc DVD changer and LINGUATRONIC voice control, now featuring whole-word input for more natural voice commands. The pinnacle of audio experience in the CLC Mercedes Benz was the optional “Logic7” surround sound system by Harman Kardon, delivering concert hall-quality acoustics through a 450-watt amplifier, transforming the cabin into an immersive audio environment.
Engine Options and Performance Enhancements
The CLC Mercedes Benz launched with a range of engine options, including both turbodiesel and petrol variants, designed to cater to diverse performance preferences and efficiency needs. Diesel models included the CLC 200 CDI and CLC 220 CDI, offering outputs of 90 kW/122 hp and 110 kW/150 hp respectively, combining fuel efficiency with responsive performance. Petrol options comprised the CLC 180 KOMPRESSOR, CLC 200 KOMPRESSOR, CLC 230, and CLC 350. The CLC 180 KOMPRESSOR and CLC 200 KOMPRESSOR featured a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine with mechanical supercharging, producing 105 kW/143 hp and 135 kW/184 hp respectively, delivering a blend of power and efficiency.
The higher-performance petrol models, CLC 230 and CLC 350, were equipped with naturally aspirated V6 engines of 2.5 and 3.5 litres, generating 150 kW/204 hp and 200 kW/272 hp respectively, offering robust power and refined performance. Across the engine range, efficiency improvements were a focus, with all engines achieving up to 10.8% better fuel economy compared to previous versions, depending on the specific engine and power output. Notably, the CLC 200 KOMPRESSOR’s supercharged four-cylinder engine was significantly enhanced with a more dynamic supercharger, optimized pistons, and updated engine management, resulting in a 15 kW/20 hp power increase while simultaneously reducing fuel consumption by approximately 8%, demonstrating Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to both performance and efficiency in the CLC Mercedes Benz.
Transmission and Driving Dynamics
A mechanical 6-speed manual transmission was standard across all CLC Mercedes Benz engine variants, providing a traditional and engaging driving experience. Mercedes-Benz also offered optional automatic transmissions to enhance driving convenience. A five-speed automatic transmission was available for four-cylinder models, while the V6 models could be equipped with the advanced 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, offering smoother shifts and optimized fuel efficiency. When combined with the Sport package, the automatic transmissions gained manual shift capabilities via steering wheel-mounted gearshift paddles, allowing for a more dynamic and driver-controlled experience.
The suspension system of the CLC Mercedes Benz was engineered for a balance of ride comfort and sporty handling, utilizing proven technology. The front suspension featured a multi-link design with aluminum tie rods and McPherson struts, ensuring precise wheel control and responsive steering. The rear suspension, also a multi-link design, incorporated coil springs and single-tube gas-pressure shock absorbers for effective damping and ride stability. Torsion bar stabilizers at both front and rear axles further enhanced driving stability and reduced body roll during cornering. A notable innovation was the introduction of “Direct-Steer,” a new steering system that built upon speed-sensitive power assistance by adding a variable steering rack ratio. This system adjusted the steering ratio based on steering angle, reducing steering input needed during sporty driving and enhancing agility and responsiveness of the CLC Mercedes Benz.
Wheels, Tyres and Market Positioning
The CLC Mercedes Benz offered an extensive selection of wheel and tyre combinations, allowing for both visual customization and optimization of driving dynamics. Customers could choose from ten different wheel designs, ranging from 16-inch light-alloy wheels in a five-spoke design to 18-inch AMG wheels. The range of tyre sizes also varied, accommodating different driving preferences and aesthetic choices. The top-of-the-line CLC 350 model came standard with 17-inch light-alloy wheels, reflecting its higher performance positioning within the CLC range. Models equipped with the optional Sport package featured 18-inch five-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels with staggered tyre sizes (225/40 front and 245/35 rear), enhancing both the visual appeal and handling capabilities of the CLC Mercedes Benz.
At its market launch, the CLC Mercedes Benz was strategically positioned as an entry-level model into the Mercedes-Benz coupe world, with three models priced below 30,000 euros. The CLC 180 KOMPRESSOR, CLC 200 KOMPRESSOR, and CLC 200 CDI were all offered at competitive price points to attract new customers. The CLC 350, while positioned at the higher end of the range, still offered remarkable value considering its performance and features. In 2009, the CLC range expanded with the CLC 160 BlueEFFICIENCY, an efficiency-optimized entry-level model, further enhancing the CLC’s accessibility. This model featured a reduced displacement 1.6-litre supercharged engine and offered improved fuel economy, making it the most affordable option in the CLC lineup and appealing to environmentally conscious buyers. Additionally, the CLC 230 was renamed CLC 250 to align its designation with its 2.5-litre engine capacity, a nomenclature update for consistency within the Mercedes-Benz model range.
Production and Legacy
Despite initial sales success, the global financial crisis in 2009 significantly impacted sales figures for the CLC Mercedes Benz. With a traditionally configured C-Class Coupe (204 series) in development, production of the CLC, based on the older 203 series C-Class, was gradually phased out by the end of 2010. The diesel models CLC 200 CDI and CLC 220 CDI were the first to cease production, followed by the petrol models CLC 160 BlueEFFICIENCY, CLC 180 KOMPRESSOR, and CLC 200 KOMPRESSOR in December 2010.
During its production run following the 2008 update, the CLC 180 KOMPRESSOR emerged as the most popular variant, with approximately 18,000 units produced. Overall, it also led in total production since launch, exceeding 80,000 vehicles. The diesel models CLC 220 CDI and CLC 200 CDI followed in popularity, with around 56,000 and 30,000 units respectively. The CLC 200 KOMPRESSOR also achieved a notable five-digit production figure, reaching about 11,000 units. In contrast, the high-performance CLC 350 remained a more exclusive model, with limited production numbers. The CLC Mercedes Benz, while having a relatively short production lifespan in its updated form, successfully bridged the gap between sporty coupes and Mercedes-Benz luxury, appealing to a new generation of customers and leaving a legacy of stylish design and dynamic performance.
