The compact body dimensions and the 'muscular' lines emphasise the sporty appearance of the new CLC. The Mercedes designers have completely redesigned the front and rear so that the Sports Coupé embodies the contemporary Mercedes design idiom with its distinctive coupé radiator grille featuring a large Mercedes star in the centre and the new projection-beam headlamps.

The redesigned large tailgate conceals a variable boot with up to 1,100 litres of luggage capacity. The new tail lights, the long row of LEDs which make up the third brake light unit and the rear bumper subdivide the rear and emphasise its width.

The interior of the new Mercedes-Benz CLC is akin to a contemporary tailor-made suit - custom-fit and comfortable. Sports seats with better lateral support than ever, a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, automatic climate control and brushed aluminium trim elements form part of the standard specification.

For the standard model, a choice of ARTICO/fabric upholstery combinations in black, alpaca grey and a particularly stylish combination of black and red are available to give the interior its individual colour scheme.

CLC 200 KOMPRESSOR EVOLUTION and EVOLUTION + with new direct-steer system and 17-inch wheels

Mercedes-Benz has put together two special design and equipment lines for drivers seeking additional sporting flair. They include exclusive engineering innovations and equipment extras such as uniquely-designed 17-inch light-alloy wheels, wide-base tyres, bi-xenon headlamps with cornering light function and headlamp cleaning system. Another special feature which the CLC inherits from its racing car counterparts is the instrument cluster with red needles for the speedometer and rev counter. Once the engine is switched on, these needles spin once around the dial before returning to their start positions.

The standard specification for both the EVOLUTION and EVOLUTION + packages includes a new direct-steer system, which further enhances the agile driving experience of the CLC while adding an important boost to safety. This new feature is based on the speed-sensitive power steering and also offers a variable rack ratio which changes as a function of the steering angle so that the driver only has to turn the wheel slightly when cornering; the Sports Coupé therefore responds far more spontaneously to steering commands and offers even sportier handling. As a result, the direct-steer system also improves handling safety in critical situations - for instance when taking sudden evasive action - as the field tests conducted by the Mercedes engineers demonstrate.

Engines: fuel consumption reduced by seven per cent

Mercedes-Benz offers its popular and proven supercharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the new CLC. This 135 kW powerplant in the CLC 200 KOMPRESSOR now develops an extra 15 kW (compared to the previous-generation C-Class Sports Coupé) while consuming just 8.4 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres (fitted with automatic transmission, according to ADR 81/01) - the equivalent of up to 0.6 litres less than before. The combined cycle fuel consumption figure for the CLC KOMPRESSOR fitted with a manual transmission is 7.8-litres per 100 km travelled (according to ADR 81/01 standards), a reduction of more than 10 per cent over the previous-generation C-Class Sports Coupé.

A five-speed automatic transmission is fitted as standard equipment. Mercedes-Benz can also supply a six-speed manual transmission as a no-cost option. In combination with the EVOLUTION and EVOLUTION + packages, the driver can use gearshift paddles on the steering wheel to manually select the gears of the automatic transmission and make optimum use of the engine’s power reserves when the driving situation calls for it.

Success story: Sports Coupé with conquest potential

The new CLC is the successor to a successful Mercedes model, one which has been the choice of some 320,000 drivers around the world since 2001.

The majority of these people were new Mercedes customers.

Its high conquest rate of some 70 per cent made the Sports Coupé one of the most successful models in the Mercedes strategic product initiative. With the help of a compelling two-door model, the Stuttgart-based car maker has managed to fire customers' imagination over the long term. Over 40 per cent of buyers opted for a larger Mercedes model after the Sports Coupé and are currently driving an E-Class, CLK coupé or cabriolet or an SLK roadster.

Thanks to its sophisticated design, high quality equipment and appointments, and enhanced technology, the new Mercedes-Benz CLC offers even more conquest potential than its predecessor. The CLC Sports Coupé is now available from all Mercedes-Benz dealerships.

Equipment and technical highlights of the new Mercedes-Benz CLC*

Cornering light system: This bi-xenon headlamp lighting function provides more safety at road junctions and driving slowly around tight bends.	Only in conjunction with bi-xenon headlamps
Adaptive front airbags: The front airbags are deployed in two stages depending on impact severity.	Standard
Bi-xenon headlamps: Gas-discharge lamps for main and low beam improve safety when driving at night.	Standard with EVOLUTION and EVOLUTION +
COMAND APS: Infotainment system incorporating DVD-based navigation, AM/FM radio, CD/DVD player and convenience telephone keypad	Optional
Direct-steer system: Based on the speed-sensitive power steering, a steering rack with a variable, sporty, dynamic ratio has been developed that provides a more direct response on bends and thus more agile handling.	Standard with EVOLUTION and EVOLUTION +
ESP®: This driver safety system can reduce the risk of skidding when cornering and alerts the driver to any loss of tyre pressure.	Standard
Headlamp Assist: A sensor on the windscreen detects low light conditions and automatically switches on the vehicle lights.	Standard
Belt-force limiter: This technology reduces the force exerted by the belt strap on the seat occupant during a crash.	Standard
Belt tensioner: Any slack in the seat belt strap is instantly taken up during a crash to reduce the forward movement of the occupants caused by the impact.	Standard
THERMATIC automatic climate control: This system controls two temperature zones and offers numerous adjustments for individual passenger comfort.	Standard
THERMOTRONIC luxury automatic climate control system: This system provides two-zone climate control for the interior, and includes further functions such as diffused, draught-free ventilation, and combination filter with air quality sensor.	Fitted as standard to EVOLUTION + but optional on the other two variants
Multifunction steering wheel: The radio, telephone, navigation system, display and other devices can be operated from the steering wheel.	Standard
Paintwork: Nano-technology makes the paint finish more scratch-resistant and ensures a higher sheen.	Standard
LINGUATRONIC: The voice-operated control system operates the radio, CD player, CD changer, navigation system and telephone - using whole-word commands for the first time.	Optional and only available in conjunction with COMAND APS
Memory function: Three memory settings are stored for both the driver's and the front passenger seat. The settings for the steering wheel and exterior mirrors are also stored.	Fitted as standard to EVOLUTION +
Panoramic sliding sunroof: A large glass surface extending from the front windscreen to the rear window. The front section slides to the rear at the touch of a button.	Fitted as standard to EVOLUTION + but optional on the other two variants
PARKTRONIC: Ultrasound sensors assist the driver when parking.	Standard
Sidebags: These airbags reduce the risk of injury during a collision from the side.	Standard
Sound system: A 12-speaker 320W multi-channel system with innovative digital technology allows all passengers to enjoy surround sound.	Optional
Sports suspension: Firmer spring and shock-absorber set‑up; the body is lowered by 15 millimetres at the front and 5 millimetres at the rear.	Standard
Windowbags: This large airbag extends from the A to the C‑pillar like a curtain during a collision from the side.	Standard

*selection

Key facts at a glance: the Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class Sports Coupé range

Model	Power	Torque	0-100 km/h	Price*	Available
CLC 200 KOMPRESSOR	135 kW	250 Nm	8.6 seconds	$49,900	Now
CLC 200 KOMPRESSOR EVOLUTION	135 kW	250 Nm	8.6 seconds	$53,900	Now
CLC 200 KOMPRESSOR EVOLUTION +	135 kW	250 Nm	8.6 seconds	$58,988**	Now