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New Mercedes CLC priced from under £20,000

Date: 29 January 2008   |   Author: Hugh Hunston

Mercedes's new CLC small coupe will offer user-choosers a more attractive way into the brand's coupe range than the C-class Sports Coupe it replaces.

Mercedes plans to consolidate its position among user-choosers taking the "aspirational route" into the brand's coupe range with the new CLC, a thoroughly revamped and re-named second-generation C-class based coupe, which goes on sale in June.

With new front and rear styling, the three-door CLC, formerly badged C-class Sports Coupe, benefits from the new C-class saloon's active steering system and upgraded electronics, including DVD-based satnav and "infotainment" technology.

By retaining the shorter wheelbase platform from the previous C-class saloon and major Sports Coupe body panels, lower development costs mean prices should match the outgoing coupe's range, starting at just under £20,000.

Dr Klaus Maier, Mercedes' head of sales and marketing, admitted that using the previous generation C-class platform would "probably mean the CLC gets a 4-star Euro NCAP rating" putting it at a disadvantage against rival Audis and BMWs.

Improved fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions from higher output petrol and diesel engines will, claimed Dr Maier, "give us an even better opportunity among user-choosers with an aspirational entry model into our coupe ranks".

Last year C-class Sports Coupe fleet sales fell 16% to 2140 units from the 2006 tally of 2538, making up 43% of total volume. Traditionally 40% of C-class Sports Coupe buyers go on to buy another Mercedes.

Mercedes considers the CLC's "natural rivals" are BMW's 1-series coupe and Audi's three-door A3 and highlights reduced CO2 figures, which include 152g/km for the 122PS 2.0-litre diesel, equating to around 10% lower emissions and fuel consumption.

The range has been cut to two trim levels, the SE and Sport model, with incremental equipment including standard parking sensors and the Sport is likely to feature a standard panoramic glass roof.

CAP's product content manager Darren Kennedy argued that Mercedes would have to be wary of pushing extra volume, particularly in fleet, at the expense of eroding the 6% three-year RV premium enjoyed by the coupe over the C-class saloon.

He said: "I am not sure if they have gone far enough in terms of being different and we must wait for final specs. So there is not much room for volume expansion. Therefore there does not seem to be scope for a massive RV hike. The 2.0-litre diesel SE at around £22,000 is the fleet option and still relatively dear."



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