Fast Facts

Verdict:
Despite being built on old underpinnings, the CLC performs decently enough. A surprisingly appealing package

New front end brings the car’s styling up to date, much improved steering, good overall refinement

The old model’s roots are too obvious in places, sports package is an expensive option

It’s no secret that the CLC is essentially a revamped C-Class Sports Coupe, but is that such a bad thing?

By Colin Yong

There’s a lot that’s new about Mercedes-Benz’s CLC. Over 1,100 parts, to be exact. Trouble is, you don’t have to poke around too much to realise it’s really a heavily facelifted version of the old C-Class Sports Coupe – a car which was launched way back in 2001.

There are several reasons why Mercedes hasn’t built a new coupe around the latest C-Class’ platform. First, engineering such a car would have cost a whole lot more, and buyers at this end of the market are typically more price sensitive.

The company is also planning to launch an all-new compact coupe based on the next-generation A-Class’ platform, most likely in the early 2010s. That car will eventually replace today’s CLC.

As far as facelifts go though, the CLC’s is pretty successful. The new nose provides a direct visual link to the C-Class Avantgarde, with sharp-looking headlamps replacing the previous rounded ones.

The rear end has also been tidied up. Wider tail lamps and a long strip of brake light LEDs take the place of the Sports Coupe’s unusual split-glass tailgate, although there are now some awkward shut lines where the old car’s lamps used to be.

There’s just one model on sale in Singapore, the entry-level CLC 180 Kompressor. It’s still powered by a 1.8-litre supercharged four-cylinder engine with 143bhp, even though this unit has been uprated to 156bhp in the latest C 180 Kompressor sedan.

Not that you’d really notice the shortfall in horsepower. A wide spread of torque delivered from low revs makes the CLC feel lively right off the line, and its five-speed automatic gearbox is actually smoother at low speeds than the one in the new C-Class.

The cabin is very well insulated from noise too, so even under full acceleration the engine’s raspy note sounds like it’s some distance away. At cruising speeds you’d be hard pressed to tell you’re not in one of Mercedes’ much more expensive luxury limos.

Perhaps the most striking improvement in the transformation from Sports Coupe to CLC is the car’s steering. Previous unnecessarily heavy and almost completely devoid of self-centering, it’s now sharp and quick-geared, allowing you to steer with wrist flicks rather than having to use brute arm strength.

The test car came with the $8,000 Sports Package option which brought with it 18-inch alloy wheels, lowered sports suspension and stainless steel pedals. With this fitted the CLC corners extremely flat and without drama, the low-set seats contributing to the sporty feel. Ride comfort is amazingly good too, considering the ultra-low profile tyres the car is on.

The cabin is tightly put-together and the car remains one of the more practical coupes around, with ample rear room and a big boot. It’s the interior styling which betrays the CLC’s age – despite the new steering wheel and fancy instrument graphics, there’s an aura of last-generation-Merc when you step inside.

Get past this and the CLC makes a decent case for itself. It’s refined, comfortable and even mildly sporty, and the desirability of the three-pointed star badge more than compensates for any perceived lack of newness.

NEED TO KNOW

Mercedes-Benz CLC 180 Kompressor
ENGINE TYPE 1,796cc, 16V in-line 4
MAX POWER 143bhp at 5,200rpm
MAX TORQUE 220Nm at 2,500-4,200rpm
GEARBOX 6-speed manual
TOP SPEED 215km/h
0-100KM/H 9.9 seconds
PRICE $126,888 with COE
WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km
CONTACT Cycle & Carriage Industries
TELEPHONE 6298-1818