Mercedes-Benz’s new Sports Coupe, the CLC180 Kompressor, is indeed all new and swanky, on the outside at least.
The most distinct changes compared to its predecessor are in the front and rear.
The completely redesigned face is modelled after the current C-Class, with the same avant-garde signature that is the large Mercedes star taking centre stage on the radiator grille, flanked by new projector headlamps on either side.
The most striking CLC tail element is the third brake light, which takes the form of a dramatic row of LEDs that almost runs the entire width of the boot lid.
A mix of familiar C-Class cues with new bits liven up the cabin effectively.
This, on an entry-level model, can be considered a splurge, bearing in mind that the LEDs on a car are akin to designer embellishments on a person.
The exterior of the Mercedes-Benz CLC is every bit a reflection of Mercedes’ concerted efforts towards greater youth appeal – a new direction heralded with the launch of the current W204 C-Class.
The new Mercedes-Benz CLC follows the C-Class’ cue and scores high in the yuppie factor.
With its trapezoidal front apron that is reminiscent of an AMG bodykit, the compact rump and overall wedge shape, you can be assured nobody is going to mistake you for some uncle with a toupee.
Top it off with an $8000 sports package that includes 18-inch five-twin spoke rims and sports suspension with a lowered body among other equipment, and you are guaranteed some street cred, too.
In contrast to an exterior that is all new, the Mercedes-Benz CLC’s interior, although sporty and bursting with youthful appeal, could be, well, newer.
It is more appropriate to consider the CLC to be an update since it is based on the CL 203 chassis and interior, never mind the fact that over 1100 components throughout the car are either newly developed or enhanced.
A side-by-side comparison between the Mercedes-Benz CLC and its predecessor will reveal their almost identical interiors, down to the design of the centre console, climate control dials, infocentre, air-conditioning vents, headlights and mirror operators.
The three-spoke leather sports steering wheel is new, though, with integrated controls and paddle shift.
And the carbon-fibre background of the instrument cluster lends a sporty touch.
But just as last season’s Fendi still makes the style cut, the CLC’s interior, despite being merely updated, is definitely far from outdated.
The whole interior still comes across as contemporary, sporty and well-built – every bit deserving of the Mercedes-Benz badge.
Supercharged 1.8-litre engine starts off strongly, but soon runs out of puff.
The ergonomics of the interior are well-conceived. Controls are intuitive and uncomplicated, even for the uninitiated.
My only pet peeve is the gear lever face plate, with the “P-R-N-D” markings located to the left of the gear instead of on the driver’s side.
I am not sure which is worse – the bad design or taking the shortcut of transplanting a left-hand drive market component onto a right-hand drive production.
The Mercedes-Benz CLC seating position is low, just as a coupe should be. But it is a little too firm and its incline too upright, even by sedan standards.
Rear diffuser is a cost option.
But compared with most coupes, cabin space is generous, with ample space even for passengers in the rear.
The Mercedes-Benz CLC is powered by a 1.8-litre Kompressor engine that feels just a tad less refined than I would have expected.
The supercharger works its prowess on acceleration from stationary, compensating for typical drive-off weakness to achieve its claimed 0-100km/h timing of 9.9 seconds.
But at higher revs, the inline-4 fails to carry the power through and starts to feel a little bit sluggish.
But, through it all, the exhaust note is nice, with its throaty voice creating an impression of power and muscle.
The suspension is sufficiently stiff and the ride is firm, achieving just the right balance of comfort and sportiness.
The fact that the Mercedes-Benz CLC is labelled as a coupe is open to some debate. In terms of body shape, price point and equipment level, it clearly is more like a hatchback.
The CLC180’s exterior is every bit a reflection of Mercedes’ concerted effort to appeal to the younger set.
By industry standards, two-door coupe versions are typically priced at a premium compared with their four-door sedan siblings. Compared with the C-Class, the Mercedes-Benz CLC looks sportier for sure, yet cheaper.
For that $10,000 savings over the C180 sedan, you contend with a “Made in Brazil” label and forego creature comforts such as automatic boot release, electric seats, Bluetooth mobile phone interface and colour LCD display that are standard in the C180, some of which are available as options on the CLC180, though.
What you do get as standard over the C180 are paddle shifters, a three-spoke steering wheel and through-loading feature, handy for load-lugging duties.
Regardless of whether you consider the Mercedes-Benz CLC a new car or merely an updated model – or how it compares with its sedan sibling – it is an undisputed choice if you wish to buy into the Mercedes-Benz family.
The majority of CLC buyers have typically been first-time Mercedes owners, and as an added incentive, you can be encouraged by the fact that over 40 percent of ex-C-Class Sports Coupe owners are now driving an E-Class, CLK or SLK.
This, alone, is probably reason enough.
Mercedes-Benz CLC180K 1.8 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves, supercharged
Capacity 1796cc
Bore x stroke 82mm x 85mm
Compression ratio 9.3:1
Max power 143hp at 5200rpm
Max torque 220Nm at 2500rpm
Power to weight 97.4hp per tonne
Gearbox 5-speed automatic with manual select
Driven wheels Rear
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 9.9 seconds
Top speed 215km/h
Consumption 12.5km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Double wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front / Rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Continental SportContact
Size 225/40 R18 (front), 245/35 R18 (rear)
SAFETY
Airbags 6
Traction aids ABS, ESP
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4448mm
Width 1728mm
Height 1405mm
Wheelbase 2715mm
Kerb weight 1475kg
Turning circle 10.76m
BUYING IT
Price incl. COE $126,888
Warranty 3 years/200,000km
+ Yuppie factor (young and successful), sporty good looks, entry ticket into the Mercedes family
– Yuppie factor (obnoxious young punk), CL 203 old chassis stigma, lacking some equipment
