2008 Mercedes CLC-Class
12 Aug, 2008
10 Comments 
Mercedes yesterday launched the latest addition to its line-up - the CLC-Class. Naming it the Sports Coupe, Merc has declared it an entry level coupe in the three-pointed star’s local offerings.
In an insight into the demographic this car is aimed at, Mercedes say that this car satisfies the “discerning requirements of young drivers looking for an athletic car.”
Proudly boasting that there are greater than 1100 improvements over the last Sports Coupe we saw in Australia, Mercedes is pushing the economy barrow, with a claimed seven percent reduction in fuel consumption from its supercharged four-cylinder - combined cycle is 8.4-litres/100km for the automatic. But it also says that power is now up, to a healthy 135kW from the 1.8-litre engine.
There’s also a new direct-steer system, which it’s claimed offers more agile cornering. Curiously, though, an automatic transmission is standard. If it’s supposed to be more sporty, wouldn’t the no-cost option manual have been a better fit? Not according to the company, who has gone with paddle shifters on the steering wheel, to maintain the sporty character.
Three models will comprise the line-up - the C200K Kompressor, C200K Kompressor Evolution, and C200K Kompressor Evolution +. Prices are at the bottom of the page, along with a specification table, below, taken from the press release.
| 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 | 0-100km/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 |
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August 12th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Should have included some pics of the rear, it’s an aesthetically terrible car.
That, and Mercedes did a half-baked job of it, they didn’t use new underpinnings and such, what I read is it’s still highly similar to the last C class coupe, little more than a reskin.
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August 12th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Fugly.. budget merc’s are a complete waste.. golf R32 for the same money…. why would anyone look twice at this expensive, slow, ugly car?
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August 12th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
HA! its got XR6’s standard rims, they probably are the exact same rim because benzes and ford falcons have the same stud pattern. I can fit those on my tandem trailer!
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August 12th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Aww I dunno I kinda like it. Just read a test of it against a Volvo C thingy coupe and it didn’t come up too well though. Cheapo interior quality even if it looks stylish. The overall look hasn’t changed much from the older version which disappoints me.
Spam word BMW - i.e. a much better coupe.
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August 12th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
MASSIVE hair dressers car, almost the very definition of a hairdresser car! The old one was bad, the (badly) facelifted one is even worse!
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August 13th, 2008 at 12:37 am
Ive already seen one of these twice in Perth a black one it actually looks good in person
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August 13th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Hang on a minute a few years back BMW brought out the compact with even older underpinnigs dating back to E30 range and that was OK because it was a BMW. This is a car that will get people into a MB just like the 1 series and eventual on to a C class or E class etc…People who purchase this type of car dont give stuff about dynamics, kw etc….as long as it looks half decent and can drive down to Lorne for coffee with ease it is OK.
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August 13th, 2008 at 10:13 am
REPOSTED -
Was *PRIMO!*, but the gutter press deleted it!
So -
Would buy wifey a black one, but seeing BrightonStar/BarloWorld are moving to the ex IKEA lot [together with VW] to have the largest German only dealership in OZ, AND no free lifetime carwash [as per Lexus and Brighton Toyota] i will give it a miss.
LOVE the price, but the vehicle is based on a 7 year old model platform which is pretty pisspoor…
Cheers
F-0
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October 30th, 2008 at 11:55 am
I think that most of all you people are jealous, as you could not afford a Mercedes and stuck with you averge mid sized car. I think the car look stylish and is great inside.
Yes it does look like the older C-Class, as IT IS BASED ON IT!!!! As it clearly states?!?! Its just a new version. Dickheads.
And yes I’ve seen one in person, they look fantastic, and I definately wouldn’t say a girls car, or ‘hairdressers’. The people who I know own one, are businessmen, and they look good in it.
Get over yourselves!!!
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October 30th, 2008 at 11:57 am
And as for having XR6 rims? How is that when they are clearly Mercedes Rims, with the logo on it? Another dickhead, not to mention the quality difference.
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