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Mercedes would like us to think of the rear-wheel drive CLC as being an all-new car, even though it isn’t.

In an uncharacteristic move for the German car maker, whose reputation has been forged around more than a century of cutting-edge automotive engineering, the three door coupé is, in essence, a heavily facelifted version of the eight-year-old C-class Sports Coupé . . . albeit one boasting over 1100 detailed changes.

Mercedes claims that using the C-cl...Read the full article

Given that the new C-class has had a lot of praise, especially for the way it drives, this seems like an odd move. It's a bit like the original BMW 'compact' 3-series, which was based on the 80's E30 3-series. Perhaps they've established that this particular type of car sells mainly to a market which isn't so bothered, and is mainly concerned with looks? 

You forgot to mention it is assembled in Brazil - which might have a lot to do with why it's not using the C-class platform and engine line-up.

Personally i find this sort of face-lift an insult to the car buying public. Its nothing more than a tarted up version of a car that was out of date years ago. Fair enough on low-volume niche models such as the SL, but this is one of Merc's best sellers.

It shows a certain arrogance on Mercedes part that it probably thinks due to the 3-pointed star on the bonnet people will look past the seriously dated underpinnings and cheap tacky cabin. VW are apparently about to do the same with the Mk6 Golf due out in 2009. Nowadays volume manufacturers like Ford or Vauxhall would never get away with this.

Never mind 'minimal price increases' on the CLC - this should now be a budget model as it cost next to nothing to produce. I suggest pricing starting from around £13k.

 

 

2nd thoughts: Part of the reason for this half hearted effort may be that as reported on this website a couple of weeks back the next A-Class (due in about 3 years) will spawn a coupe version which will replace the CLC, so this model may have a very short production cycle, hench the minimal investment.

This is the type of car that will make me look down on the owner as someone who has made a really really stupid purchase decision.

 An awful facelift for probably one of the worst Merc's ever badly made.  I had one for a year, it was awful.....a nice enough car let down by the worst build quality (especially when you consider the price of the car, parts, service etc) I have ever experienced.  And I have owned 2 Fiats and 2 Alfas.

The only reason why Mercedes-Benz have not disigned the CLC around the new C-Class saloon is that when it comes to world wide sales the model sold poorly with the US market for example not liking small hatchbacks/Coupes.It was under the pressue of european countries where sales are strong to bring out a newer version so Mercedes made a compromise that they would,but to save on costs they would you the old chassis of the current model and to produce it in Brazil where the C-Class range is currently being built for the US market.

 

"It’s hard to say how people will react to the new CLC’s links to the old C-class"

It's not - the kind of person that shells out for this car is interested in image alone and has no knowledge or care what it is based on whatsoever.

I'll join the feeding frenzy as I just don't get this model. Like the solid funky interior alot but that's where the praise ends. Is the CLC a hatch or coupe? It's sort of lost in blandness in the middle ground in between.

This is a balance the SL, which is sportscar and coupe on the brink of being a sad bad compromise, only Mercedes could produce a legend from the jaws of defeat. The CLC is no SL though. It is a compromised, confused dullard for 50 year old women with overpowering perfume and big hair. Back to the drawing board Merc.    

Nice front, profile and interior, ugly rear. Probably has better steering than new  C class.

Quattro369:

Personally i find this sort of face-lift an insult to the car buying public. Its nothing more than a tarted up version of a car that was out of date years ago.

Unsurprising, sadly typical Autocar reader massive negative over-reaction to this model. The last model was quite nice; looks good, cavernous boot for a coupe, I had a 230k (the later, supercharged version) for eight months and it was great - lurched a bit if really pushed around corners but I didn't buy it to go racing. Build quality was great (I know launch models had electrical problems due to something going on with Bosch, but didn't affect me), it was massively comfortable to drive, torquey and the best car I've ever owned for going over speed humps! It might have been expensive but I took it as a company car and it worked out quite inexpensive due to a particularly strong residual value. How exactly is it an insult to the car buying public? 95% or more of drivers never take their cars any where near the limits that they are capable of, and I'm sure the vast majority of them wouldn't be remotely insulted - or give two sh!ts - about Merc using an old platform for another few years. This car has a great chassis regardless of age, decent engines, reasonable economy and plenty of poke. Fair enough if you don't like the looks but the only way anyone is going to notice its minor dynamic shortcomings is on a track day! So Merc make more money this way - I don't care, its not like they're forcing me to buy it. "It shows a certain arrogance on Mercedes part that it probably thinks due to the 3-pointed star on the bonnet people will look past the seriously dated underpinnings and cheap tacky cabin." Have you sat in this car? The cabin is great. As for "seriously dated underpinnings", yes they are old, but they have not dated at all badly. Try driving it. As for arrogance? How about the arrogance of the armchair expert Sutcliffe wannabe who is insulted by the extended use of a vehicle platform! Its funny, I actually expected Autocar to tread the same tired old line about the Merc basically being a giant turd for a whole host of irrelevant reasons because its based on the old model, and was pleasantly surprised to see a thoroughly even reveiwe. Hopefully this is a sign of better things to come from the mag.

styling that is "mildly successful" - surely that is the biggest understatement of the year!

a facelift on a par with lesley ash!