C203 CLC-class

The compact CLC-class Sports Coupe arrived in Australia with a three-model range, all powered by the same 1.8-litre supercharged petrol engine and fitted with a standard five-speed automatic transmission.

Although the CLC’s front-end styling suggested that it was based on the new W204 C-class sedan that was launched a year earlier, it was actually a development of the superseded C-class Sports Coupe that first appeared in 2001.

135kW of power and 250Nm of torque provided a 0-100km/h sprint time of 8.6 seconds and an official fuel consumption figure of 8.4L/100km.

Standard equipment on the base CLC included sports seats with extra side support, automatic climate control, a multi-function steering wheel, eight airbags (twin front, front and rear side-impact airbags, and rear ‘windowbags’ that extended from the A-pillar to the C-pillar), ABS brakes with brake assist, electronic traction and stability control, front and rear parking sensors, light-alloy wheels, heated exterior mirrors, split-fold rear seats, headlamp assist and foglamps.

In addition, the CLC200 Kompressor Evolution had ‘Direct Steer’ speed-sensitive power steering, bi-Xenon headlights with cornering function and headlight cleaning, 17-inch alloys, gearshift paddles, 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 and maple woodgrain trim.