Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class
Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Production	2008 – 2010
Assembly	Juiz de Fora, Brazil
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sport Coupe
Class	Compact executive car
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine	1.8 L I4 2.5 L V6 3.5 L V6 2.2 L I4 Diesel
Wheelbase	2,715 mm (106.9 in)
Length	4,448 mm (175.1 in)
Width	2,078 mm (81.8 in)
Height	1,405 mm (55.3 in)

The Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class (internal name CL203) is a luxury compact car which was produced by the Mercedes Car Group division of Daimler AG since 2002, as part of the W203 C-Class, and since 2008 as its own lineup, separately from the new W204 C-Class. The CLC was a three-door hatchback coupe with a fastback profile.^[1] Production was discontinued after the 2010 model year.^[2]

First generation

The first generation was based on the W203 C-Class and sold as the C-Class Sportcoupé or C-Class Sport Coupe. The C230K and C320 Sport Coupés were the least expensive members of the C-Class lineup in the USA.

While the C-Class sedan and wagon had the traditional Mercedes horizontal bar grille with the hood ornament, the coupé had a star-grille front end. The coupé also had a swooping fastback roofline, and a functional rear spoiler at the short rear end that added downforce on the rear tires at high speeds. One exclusive option to the coupé was a panorama sunroof that was intended to make the rear seats feel less cramped. The coupé was seven inches shorter overall compared to the sedan but both share the same wheelbase length.^[3]

2001–2004 Mercedes-Benz C 200 Kompressor (CL203) coupe (Australia)

The 2002 C230 Sportcoupé was powered by a 2.3L supercharged, four cylinder motor, the same that had been available in the SLK-Class until that time. While some C-Class sedans were powered by V6 engines (especially for the Canadian and U.S. markets), the C230 Coupe had a standard 2.3 litre four cylinder engine with an intercooled supercharger (which the Germans call a Kompressor), dual overhead cams, and four valves per cylinder. It offered 192 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 200 lb-ft of torque between 2500 rpm and 4800 rpm, more output than the 168 horsepower 2.6L V6 powering the C240 sedan. However, the supercharged inline-4 engine was considered to be coarse and noisy at the high end. The 6-speed manual gearbox was considered a disappointment compared to BMW and Audi's, so many reviewers recommended the 5-speed automatic Touch Shift transmission.^{[4] [5]}

The following model year (2003), a new family of supercharged four cylinder engines, dubbed M271, debuted for the entire range C-Class range. All of them used the same 1.8 L engine, with different designations according to horsepower levels, including a version powered by natural gas. The 193 PS (142 kW/190 hp) engine, generating more than the 168 horsepower 2.6L V6 powering the C240, was initially available only in the C230K Sportcoupé but was later offered in the C230K Sport Sedan.^[6][4]

While BMW's 3-Series hatchback was criticized as looking like a full-sized 3-series with the rear chopped off,^[4] the Sportcoupé's fastback profile was considered a more stylist off-shoot of the C-Class sedan. While the C230 base model enabled the automaker to reach a lower price point than existing models sold in North America^[7], some suggested that the hatchback configuration (as "liftback" is almost never used in North America) and the "inexpensive Mercedes" moniker would undermine the marque which was traditionally composed of expensive cars. It also lacked standard leather seats and a CD player, amenities typically expected of German luxury imports (especially a Mercedes). Being the two most inexpensive models in the U.S. and Canadian C-Class lineup, with starting MSRPs lower than the sedans and wagons, the C230 Sport Coupe started at $25,615 USD and the C320 Sport Coupe at $27,300 USD. However, adding leather upholstery ($1,410) and automatic transmission ($1300) placed it close to sportier rivals such as the Audi TT ($31,000) and the BMW 325Ci Coupe (about $30,000).^[8][9]

Like the BMW 3-Series hatchback, the Sportcoupé proved unpopular with the younger buyers it was targeted towards, due to high prices compared to the lower entry-level models it was competing against, as well as unfavorable exchange rates. Along with the C-Class Estate (wagon), the Sport Coupe was discontinued in Canada and the United States after the 2005 model year.

Although removed from the North American lineup in 2005, it continued on sale in other markets. From October 2000 until 2007, a total of 230,000 Sportcoupés were built in the Bremen factory and in Brazil.^[10]

Mercedes found that the Sportcoupé was a popular first Mercedes for new customers, 40 per cent of whom reportedly return to buy more expensive models later on.^[11][12][13]

Second generation

The Sportcoupé was eventually spun off into its own separate line called the CLC-Class, but still based on the W203 platform, with an updated front and tail inspired by the W204 C-Class. The refresh reworked the rear and front along with some other refinements and new details (Mercedes claimed around 1100 components), including a steering system borrowed from the SLK-Class and a revised suspension.^[14] Out of the sheetmetal of the CLC-Class, only the doors and roof were carried over from the Sportcoupé. The interior is still largely similar to the first-generation Sportcoupé, although it did receive the W204 steering wheel and an updated optional navigation system. Some auto journalists noted that the improvements were limited in order to differentiate the CLC-Class and protect the status of the more lucrative marques in the lineup; one reviewer stated the "CLC does just about enough to introduce new customers to the world of Mercedes" and that it had the "feel of an authentic Mercedes-Benz, which is more than I’d say about the A-Class and B-Class front-wheel-drive hatchbacks".^[15]

The car was presented at the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin, which took place from the 27th to 31 January 2008.^[16] The CLC was produced in Brazil at the company’s plant in Juiz de Fora, close to the state border with Rio de Janeiro.^[17]

Due to the age of the W203 platform which "exudes a level of float and wallow" not found in the W204 C-Class, the CLC received mixed reviews against sportier rivals such as the BMW 1 Series coupé (a successful replacement of the 3-Series hatchback).^[18]

In 2009 the CLC 160 BlueEFFICIENCY was added to the range, and the CLC 230 was rechristened as the CLC 250.

Despite being an interesting option as a first Mercedes, Daimler AG decided that the CLC would not continue production. Instead, the W204 C-Class received a traditionally designed coupé added to the lineup for the 2012 model year, coinciding with the facelifted W204 sedan/saloon in the fourth quarter of 2011. The 2012 C-Class Coupe is positioned directly against the BMW 3 Series Coupé.

Third generation

The next generation of the CLC-Class, codenamed C117, is planned as a long wheelbase version of the front-wheel drive platform of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class. It will also have a coupé-like style similar to Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, and have an AMG model that is considered an indirect successor to the classic 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II.

The CLC will be equipped with a four-wheel drive system that will be paired up with a 1.6 liter turbocharged petrol engine offered in two versions: one with 121 HP and one with 154 HP. The top version will be powered by a 2.0 liter petrol engine with 207 HP and will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in about 7 seconds, while top speed will be in the 145 mph area. The diesel line-up will include a 1.8 liter engine with 108 HP and 134 HP, plus a 2.1 version offered with 168 HP and 201 HP. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual gearbox as standard and an optional dual-clutch gearbox. ^[19]

Lineup

Over the model's life, the C Sport Coupe/C Sportcoupé/CLC consisted of different model designations and engines by market. It launched as single model CLC 200 KOMPRESSOR (C230 KOMPRESSOR in the US), with its engine coming from the W204 C-class.^[20]

Along with the A-Class, B-Class, GLK and GL, the CLC has no high performance AMG model.

Petrol engines Version Engine Cyl. Power CLC 160 BlueEFFICIENCY 1.6 16V I4 129 PS (95 kW; 127 hp) CLC 180 KOMPRESSOR 1.8 16V K I4 143 PS (105 kW; 141 hp) CLC 200 (C230 US) KOMPRESSOR 1.8 16V K I4 184 PS (135 kW; 181 hp) CLC 230 (C230 US) KOMPRESSOR 2.3 16V K I4 194 PS (143 kW; 191 hp) CLC 230 / CLC 250 2.5 24V V6 204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp) CLC 320 (C320 US) 3.2 18V V6 218 PS (160 kW; 215 hp) CLC 350 3.5 24V V6 272 PS (200 kW; 268 hp) Diesel engines Version Engine Cyl. Power CLC 200 CDI 2.2 16V CDI S4 122 PS (90 kW; 120 hp) CLC 220 CDI 2.2 16V CDI S4 150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp)

Gallery

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  CLC 220 CDI

• 

  CLC 220 CDI

References

1. ^ New Key Visual for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin 2008: Two stars in the photo studio: Top model Eva Padberg and the new Mercedes-Benz CLC Daimler Global Media Site - January 9, 2008
2. ^ [1]
3. ^ [2]
4. ^ ^{a b c} "Mercedes-Benz » Test Drive: 2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sport Coupe". CanadianDriver. 2002-01-10. http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdrives/02c230sc.htm. Retrieved 2009-10-17. 
5. ^ Michael Frank. "Mercedes Benz C230 Sports Coupe". Forbes.com. http://www.forbes.com/2001/11/19/1119test.html. Retrieved 2009-10-17. 
6. ^ [3]
7. ^ [4]
8. ^ Michael Frank. "Mercedes Benz C230 Sports Coupe". Forbes.com. http://www.forbes.com/2001/11/19/1119test.html. Retrieved 2009-10-17. 
9. ^ [5]
10. ^ auto motor und sport, #3/2008, p. 27
11. ^ "Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class — Automobiles Review". Automobilesreview.com. 2008-02-04. http://www.automobilesreview.com/reviews/mercedes-benz-clc-class/905/. Retrieved 2009-10-17. 
12. ^ Malloy, Gerry (2008-02-23). "Production version set for Toyota mini-car concept". Toronto Star. http://www.wheels.ca/article/191765. Retrieved 2008-02-23. 
13. ^ "Full Test: 2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Sports Coupe". Edmunds.com. 2001-11-06. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=47781. Retrieved 2009-10-17. 
14. ^ [6]
15. ^ [7]
16. ^ Mercedes-Benz releases CLC-Class coupe teaser
17. ^ Segredo : Mercedes-Benz Class C Sport Coupe no Brasil http://www.noticiasautomotivas.com.br
18. ^ [8]
19. ^ [9]
20. ^ CLC Flyer Official German Mercedes web site - January 2008