Mercedes adds CLC to range

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What is it?

The CLC is Mercedes' entry-level coupe, the newly named model a thorough reworking of the previous C-Class Sports Coupe. The visual makeover is pretty dramatic, the front gaining new projector headlamps, a wider, more prominent grille and an edgier bonnet. Around the back, the changes have been fairly extensive too, the rear lights being slimmer and wider, a new LED brake light strip reaching across much of the bootlid and a new spoiler and diffuser-style element under the rear bumper.

The flanks and roofline remain the same as the old car, but the front and rear refresh is enough to significantly boost the CLC's visual appeal and bring it more into line with the current Mercedes family look. Inside, the changes are less dramatic; the dash and instruments remain largely unchanged from the outgoing model - save for an improvement in the materials they're built from. There's a new steering wheel and the infotainment system has been updated, while the seats have been given some additional lateral support. There's more standard equipment too and the engine line up benefits from lower emissions and improved fuel consumption.

Is it any good?

While the visual makeover and additional standard equipment impress, the CLC driving experience isn't greatly enhanced over the outgoing Sports Coupe. There are six engine choices in the UK, comprising of four petrol units and two turbodiesels. The entry-level CLC 180 Kompressor will by far and away be the biggest seller, its predecessor taking around 47% of sales in Britain. The next most popular will be the CLC 220 CDI turbodiesel, accounting for around 27% of the volume. The rest of the model mix is made up of the turbodiesel CLC 200 CDI and petrol CLC 200 Kompressor four-cylinder units, along with the CLC 230 and CLC 350 V6 petrol choices.

All offer improved fuel consumption and emissions over the previous model, the greatest increases being found with the two turbodiesels. The CLC 220 CDI increases its combined cycle economy by 5.1mpg to 47.9mpg, CO₂ dropping from 174g/km to 156g/km, while the CLC 200 CDI's emissions drop by 20g/km to 152g/km and achieves 48.7mpg - a 5.2mpg improvement. Increases are more modest in the petrol engines, the 350's mpg actually growing marginally as a result of its enhanced performance. How the CLC drives depends on the trim level, Sport models gaining Direct Steer and lower suspension over the SE. Even so equipped the CLC won't excite on the road like a BMW 1 Series Coupe or three-door will, though the Mercedes rides better than the over-firm BMW. The engines, with the exception of the V6s, feel rather lifeless, the CLC 220 CDI strangely flat and uninspiring despite impressing elsewhere in the Mercedes range. It's a capable enough car; it's just not a particularly exciting one.

Should I call the bank manager?

Mercedes might have improved the specification, environmental performance and style with the changes to the CLC, but it's not forgotten its entry-level coupe status. So the pricing retains its £19,920 starting point, some models actually cheaper than the outgoing Sport Coupe. Early forecasted residual values are stronger than its predecessor too, by an average of 3%. Combine that with improved fuel consumption and reduced emissions and it should make the CLC a cheaper ownership proposition.

Summary

Mercedes' new CLC undoubtedly provides an attractive entry point to its extensive coupe range, and if it goes on to be as successful as its predecessor in creating conquest sales it'll have done its job. Improved though it is, it's not quite the step forward we'd perhaps hoped for, it feeling fairly uninspiring to drive and the interior - albeit improved - betrays the basic package's age. There's little competition in this market though, Audi's A3 being no more than a hatchback, the BMW 1 Series Coupe's styling being rather divisive. The CLC is a good-looking contender that wears a premium badge on its new grille; for many that'll be more than enough.

Kyle Fortune

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