December 2008 Car News - GBCarLoans.com

27th December 2008

Mercedes-Benz CLC 180 Kompressor SE

MERCEDES-BENZ latest coupe is eyecatching, stylish and comes with a sub-£20,000 price tag.
The old C-Class Sports Coupe proved a goldmine for the German manufacturer, shifting 45,000 models in the UK over a seven-year stretch. Now it has been replaced by the CLC, a sleek, muscular model in its own right. While the car bears more than a passing resemblance to its predecessor there are actually 1,100 alterations ranging from small styling cues to major dynamic enhancements.

Mercedes' entry experience at £19,920 is the tested CLC 180 Kompressor SE, the range also boasts a choice of six petrol and diesel engines with power outputs of 122 to 272bhp and a promise of substantial fuel comsumption improvements. Changes are arguably visual ones - the arrow-shaped front, prominent three-pointed star and imposing headlamps giving the CLC the same expensive appeal as luxury stablemates the CL and CLS. The CLC is a rewarding drive, with supercharged 1.8-litre engine offering ample pulling power, a sporty soundtrack and average fuel consumption of just below 40mpg. Its smart design, tough materials and use of chrome adding to the youthful image and boot space is pretty good.
All models include multifunction sports steering wheel, automatic climate control, six airbags, Parktronic front and rear parking aid, split-fold rear seats, Isofix child seat mountings and six speaker CD sound system.

Ther are of course some negative points about this vehicle: There's not alot of space in the back, rear visibility is compromised by the small, angled, back windscreen and the foot-operated handbrake takes some getting used to.

Moving up a grade from SE to Sport costs £1,100 but brings 18 rather than 16-inch alloys, sports suspension, metallic paint and - principally - a speed-sensitive direct steering system by which you only have to turn the wheel slightly on bends and corners.

Mercedes offer an extensive range of packages and optional extras, definately worth considering purchasing a model.

 

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