|
Price |
|
-- |
Production |
|
-- |
|
Engine |
3.5
V6 |
Weight |
-- |
|
Aspiration |
natural |
Torque |
350
lb-ft @ 2400 - 5000 rpm |
|
HP |
272
hp @ 6000 rpm |
HP/Weight |
-- |
|
HP/Liter |
77.7
hp per liter |
1/4 mile |
-- |
|
0-62 mph |
6.3
seconds |
Top Speed |
155
mph (electronically limited) |
(from Daimler Press
Release) The new Mercedes-Benz CLC: Sports Coup with fun
factor
Stuttgart -
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a stand-alone model series in the guise
of the new CLC, the compelling entry-level model in the
Mercedes-Benz coup family. The Sports Coup's design, technology
and equipment meet the discerning requirements of young drivers
looking for an athletic car that gives an involving drive, while at
the same time delivering the hallmark Mercedes quality standards in
terms of safety, comfort, environmental compatibility and
functionality. Compared with the previous Sports Coup, the Mercedes
engineers have newly developed or enhanced over 1100 components.
Engineering highlights of the CLC include a new direct-steer system
for even more agile cornering, state-of-the-art infotainment systems
featuring a colour display, Europe-wide DVD or hard-disc navigation
and media interface, as well as an uprated four-cylinder engine that
now develops 135 kW/184 hp. Fuel consumption has been reduced by up
to 10.8 percent compared with the outgoing model.
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 Coup embodies the contemporary
Mercedes design idiom with its distinctive coup radiator grille
featuring a large Mercedes star in the centre, and the new
projection-beam headlamps. The S-Class, the luxury CL-Class Coup
and the C-Class provided the stylistic models. The redesigned large
tailgate conceals a variable boot with up to 1100 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.
A choice of seat covers
in black, alpaca grey and a particularly stylish combination of
black and red are available to give the interior its individual
colour scheme.
Sports package with new
direct-steer system and 18-inch wheels
Mercedes-Benz has put
together the sports package for drivers looking for sporting flair.
It includes exclusive engineering innovations and equipment extras
such as 18-inch light-alloy wheels, wide-base tyres, headlamps with
black inner surrounds, sports suspension with lowered body, leather
sports steering wheel and dark brushed aluminium trim elements.
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 the sports package 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 Coup 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 up to 10.8 percent
Mercedes-Benz offers
four four-cylinder and two six-cylinder engines with power outputs
ranging from 90 kW/122 hp to 200 kW/272 hp for the new CLC. The 135
kW/184 hp powerplant in the CLC 200 KOMPRESSOR now develops an extra
15 kW/20 hp while consuming just 7.8 to 8.2 litres per 100
kilometres in the NEDC cycle - the equivalent of up to 0.7 litres
less than before. In consumption terms, with its advanced
turbodiesel engines, the CLC falls into the five-litre category: the
CLC 200 CDI returns a consumption of 5.8 to 6.1 litres per 100
kilometres in the NEDC cycle, up to 10.8 percent less than the
outgoing model. The CDI models boast operating ranges of over 1000
kilometres with a full tank (62 litres).
The six-speed manual
transmission comes as standard with all engine variants.
Mercedes-Benz can also supply a five-speed automatic transmission
for the four‑cylinder units, and the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic
transmission for the V6 models. In combination with the sports
package, the driver can use gearshift paddles on the steering wheel
to select the gears of the automatic transmission manually and make
optimum use of the engines high power reserves when the driving
situation calls for it.
Infotainment: state-of-the-art
technology for navigation and musical enjoyment on wheels
The Mercedes engineers
have developed a new generation of infotainment units for the CLC,
bringing luxury-class cutting-edge technology to the Sports Coup as
of September 2008. Three units are available, offering a superb
combination of colour display, twin tuner, speed-sensitive volume
control and Bluetooth mobile phone interface. An iPod, USB stick or
other external audio devices can now also be connected to the
infotainment system. A new universal media interface (optional
extra) links these devices to the on-board electronics and the
Sports Coup's control system, allowing the iPod tracks to be
displayed in the instrument cluster and on the colour screen in the
centre console. Tracks can then be selected conveniently using the
buttons on the multifunction steering wheel.
The new Audio 50 APS and
COMAND APS units come with a Europe-wide DVD or hard-disc navigation
system. The LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system, which
Mercedes-Benz has upgraded with a new whole-word recognition
capability, is fitted as standard if the integrated six-disc DVD
changer is specified. LINGUATRONIC enables the driver to
conveniently operate the telephone, audio and navigation system.
Success story: Sports Coup with
extensive conquest potential
The new CLC is the
successor to a successful Mercedes model that boasts some 320,000
drivers around the world to its name since 2001. The majority of
these were new Mercedes customers. Its high conquest rate of some 70
percent made the Sports Coup 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 percent
of buyers opted for a larger Mercedes model after the Sports Coup
and are currently driving an E-Class, CLK or an SLK.
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 public will get the
chance to take a close look at the Sports Coup for the first time
at the European Mercedes sales and service outlets and authorised
dealerships in June 2008.
