Benz prices CLC, due here in August

IT DOES not go on sale here until August, but that hasn't stopped Mercedes-Benz announcing full pricing and specifications for its compact CLC-class Sports Coupe range.

Despite its similar appearance to the all-new W204-series C-class sedan launched last year, the CLC-class Sports Coupe is in fact a heavily facelifted version of the current C-class Sports Coupe, first launched here in CL203-series guise in July 2001, before being re-released in upgraded forms in September 2004 and 2005.

Nonetheless, Mercedes says some 1100 of the CLC's components are newly designed, so the vital new small Benz should also deliver dynamic improvements - but perhaps not to the same extent as the lauded new C-class.

In line with drastically reduced prices for both the C-class sedan and Estate (due here later this month), biggest news for this year's new CLC-class range is a starting price that's more than $2000 less expensive than before.

Opening the range is the CLC200 Kompressor at $49,900, with the higher-spec CLC200 Kompressor Evolution priced $4000 higher at $53,900 and the flagship "Evolution +" version priced $5000 higher again at $58,900.

All CLC variants will come as standard with ABS, Brake Assist, ESP traction/stability control, twin front airbags, twin front and rear side-impact (thorax) airbags and twin front and rear 'windowbags', plus parking sensors, seatbelt pre-tensioners and tyre pressure monitoring.

In addition, the CLC200 Kompressor Evolution boasts 'Direct Steer' speed-sensitive power steering, bi-Xenon headlights with cornering function and headlight cleaning, 17-inch alloy wheels, gearshift paddles (with automatic transmission), 'Artico' man-made leather upholstery, dark-brushed aluminium-look trim highlights, aluminium-faced pedals, unique sports instrumentation cluster, black roof lining in fabric, black velour mats with silver-coloured edging, mesh inserts for engine cooling intakes and grille louvers finished in chrome and black combination.

The top-shelf CLC200 Kompressor Evolution + adds a glass panoramic tilt/slide sunroof, multi-zone climate-control, electric front seats with memory, an electrically adjustable steering column, illuminated vanity mirrors and black birds-eye maple woodgrain trim.

Underlining the significance of the previous Sports Coupe to Mercedes, the company says it has attracted some 320,000 sales globally since 2001 - 70 per cent of whom were new to the brand. Benz says that 43 per cent of them went on to buy a larger Mercedes - either an E-class, CLK coupe or cabrio, or an SLK roadster.

Mercedes-Benz CLC-class range pricing:
CLC200 Kompressor (a)	$49,900
CLC200 Kompressor Evolution (a)	$53,900
CLC200 Kompressor Evolution + (a)	$58,900

Read more:

First look: Benz Sports Coupe becomes CLC