Autoblog

Mercedes-Benz CLA is official name of small four-door coupe debuting in Beijing

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Mercedes-Benz, Beijing Motor Show, Luxury

We will now know the "baby CLS" - the small four-door "coupe" built on the MFA platform supporting the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (pictured above) and B-Class - as the CLA. It will debut at April's Beijing Motor Show, and it's just one of the five variants that Mercedes has planned for its MFA underpinnings.

When it hits the streets in 2013, advance reports indicate that both front- and all-wheel-drive versions will be available. Power will come from a range of gas and diesel engines with anywhere from 110 to 150 horsepower (there's even a potential AMG model with more than 300 hp on the way), mated to seven-speed dual-clutch and six-speed manual transmissions.

Of note, though, over its long gestation, the CLA has been referred to as the CLC, but the CLA and CLC are different cars. The CLC is the Concept Style Coupe, said to be based on the A-Class concept, which was a two-door hatchback, yet also said to be an evolution of the F800 concept, which was a sedan. The CLA will make its debut in China, but the CLC will be unveiled in Los Angeles at an Mercedes-sponsored art festival called "Transmission LA: AV Club." The Beijing show and the art festival overlap, so we'll find out which car is which and what they both look like soon enough.

Mercedes-Benz CLA is official name of small four-door coupe debuting in Beijing originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz CLC snapped testing in the snow

Zach Bowman — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Our spy photographers have caught the Mercedes-Benz CLC out for a little winter testing. Based on the same platform as the company's A and B-Class vehicles, the CLC should offer buyers a smaller alternative to the Mercedes-Benz CLS. Rumor has it the CLC will be available in both front and all-wheel drive configurations, and AMG is already humming along on a high-performance version of the four-door. The CLC AMG is likely to produce somewhere between 300 and 340 horsepower when it debuts. Otherwise, buyers can expect to find two gasoline engines on the option sheet producing 121 and 154 horsepower, respectively.

Chances are Mercedes-Benz will also offer European buyers a pair of diesel options good for 107 and 134 horsepower. Regardless of engine choice, the CLC will likely put the power to its wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Mercedes-Benz CLC snapped testing in the snow originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mercedes working on B-Class-based CLC Shooting Brake

Noah Joseph — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Oh, Mercedes. When will you learn that the CLC was just a bad idea? BMW did so with the chopped-trunk 318ti, but Mercedes seems determined to make its counterpart work. To that end, the Silver Star automaker is reportedly working on a new derivative.

Drawing its inspiration from the CLS Shooting Break concept (pictured above) and its underpinnings from the B-Class, the CLC Shooting Brake (hopefully they'll get the spelling right this time) is expected to slot in below the C-Class Estate wagon, but presumably with a svelter roofline.

That doesn't mean they'll get the door count right though: the jury's still out on whether it'll be a proper shooting brake with three doors (like the existing CLC, but longer) or five doors like a conventional wagon. Engine options, meanwhile, are tipped to revolve around turbocharged fours, ranging from 108 horsepower and 1.2 liters to a 272-hp CLC22 AMG with 4Matic all-wheel drive. Sources expect the CLC Shooting Brake to arrive around September 2013.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break Concept

Gallery: Beijing 2010: Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break concept

[Sources: Autobild]

Rumormill: Mercedes working on B-Class-based CLC Shooting Brake originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mercedes-Benz CLC hatchback is toast

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, South America

Mercedes-Benz CLC - Click above for high-res image gallery

Things aren't looking good for the CLC, Mercedes-Benz's small hatchback based on the last-generation (W203) C-Class platform. When the current-generation CLC was introduced in 2008, it never came to North America, mostly due to the underwhelming sales numbers that the original C-Class Sport Coupé garnered while in production. These cars have been moderately popular in other markets, but new reports state that the CLC production will come to an halt at the end of this year.

Currently, the CLC is produced at Benz's Juiz de Fora facility in Brazil, which will be undergoing changes in its production line. This plant will be repurposed to build the Actros, Mercedes' heavy-duty commercial truck, and no plans have been made to shift CLC production elsewhere. Reports suggest that we could see an all-new version of the CLC when the next-generation C-Class drops in a couple of years (probably not slated for the States, of course), but until we get the official word from Mercedes-Benz, we wish the little hatch a fond farewell. Top tip, Rodrigo!

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz CLC Class

[Source: WebMotors (translated)]

Report: Mercedes-Benz CLC hatchback is toast originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe coming with turbo power, possible hybrid

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Click above for high-res image gallery

After the resounding sales flop of the Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor hatchback, you'd be forgiven for assuming M-B wouldn't want to toe the entry-level waters any time soon. According to Inside Line, though, the success BMW has had with the 1 Series Coupe has prompted Mercedes to rethink a new two-door version of its latest C-Class.

The discontinuation of the CLK and the emergence of a new, larger E-Class Coupe means that there's space in Mercedes' lineup for a smaller, entry model that would do battle with the aforementioned BMW 1 Series as well as the slightly larger 3 Series and Infiniti G37.

Naturally, we can expect a couple of DOHC V6 powerplants, in this case utilizing direct injection for added power and reduced fuel consumption and emissions. Interestingly, reports indicate that we may also see a smaller V6 with twin turbochargers designed to battle the 300-horsepower BMW 135i. A naturally aspirated V6 may also be offered as a hybrid.

Finally, what Mercedes-Benz wouldn't be complete without an AMG version to spice things up a bit? Not this one, as a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 is likely on the menu along with the expected suspension and braking upgrades. We'll know how much of this is fact and how much is rumor sometime in 2011, which is when the C-Class Coupe is expected to hit the market.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz C-Class

[Source: Inside Line]

Report: 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe coming with turbo power, possible hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rejected Renderings: Mercedes-Benz CLCs that didn't make the cut

John Neff — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:27:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz

click above for more rejected renderings of the Mercedes-Benz CLC

The new 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC is the Stuttgart-based automaker's second recent attempt at making a hatchback version of the C-Class sedan work. The first-gen model was sold in the U.S. in small numbers, but we're not expecting the newly renamed CLC to make it across the pond for Yankee consumption. We're not sure U.S. consumers would take the bait a second time anyway. Though Mercedes claims it has 1,100 improvements, the new CLC is still based on the old C-Class architecture, and thus does not share underpinnings with the new C-Class on sale in the U.S. It basically looks like the first-gen model with the nose of the new C-Class grafted on.

But there reportedly were other designs being considered. These renderings show what the new CLC could have been, nearly all of which feature more dynamic designs than the one that eventually got the nod. Perhaps if the 2009 CLC came out of the oven wearing one of these shapes, the U.S. market would be more interested in Mercedes' newest hatch. Of note, however, is that we have no idea where Carscoop sourced these renderings, so they may not be official ones from Mercedes at all, but they sure do look the part.

[Source: Carscoop]

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz CLC renderings

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz CLC Class

Rejected Renderings: Mercedes-Benz CLCs that didn't make the cut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC

Alex Nunez — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 17:51:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Europe, Mercedes-Benz

click above for 55 high-res images of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC

Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled the 2008 CLC-Class, the Euro-market successor to the now-defunct C-Class Sports Coupe. Well, we should clarify that. It's not completely defunct in that its architecture has been carried over for the new car, meaning the CLC does not share underpinnings with the new-gen C-Class. Still, Mercedes boasts that the car features 1,100 "newly-developed or enhanced" components, including the direct steering system introduced on the freshened SLK. The changes are intended to give the car a different feel than its predecessor.

At first glance, it's clear that Mercedes is trying to leave the past behind, looks-wise. Sure, the coupe profile is carried over, but the sharp-looking face of the new C-Class finds its way onto the CLC's front end. Out back, fresh taillamps also keep up the family resemblance to the new C. An updated interior greets occupants, with available features like DVD or hard drive-based nav, iPod integration, and an in-dash SD card slot. The entertainment, communications and nav systems can all be operated by voice command, too.

Buyers can choose from four engines -- 2 gas and 2 diesel, all with improved fuel economy -- matched with six-speed manual gearboxes as standard equipment. Drivers who opt for automatics get a 5-speed unit for 4-cylinder engines or MB's 7-speed auto for the 6-cylinders. An available sports package dresses things up with enhancements like 18" wheels and also adds paddle shifters to the steering wheel for cars with automatic transmissions. The Brazilian-built CLC goes on sale in Europe this May. No plans have been mentioned regarding a possible US-market return, and given that the last-gen didn't sell particularly well here, that is completely unsurprising. The Mercedes press release is pasted after the jump.

[Sources: Mercedes-Benz, Inside Line]

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz CLC Class

Continue reading Officially Official: 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC

Officially Official: 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Jan 2008 17:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Look: Mercedes CLC to be unveiled during Berlin Fashion Week

Alex Nunez — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz

Remember the old Mercedes C-Class Sport Coupe? While it never took off here in the States and was subsequently pulled from the lineup, it soldiered on in Europe where a new version will make its debut later this month. Heavily facelifted and likely sporting an overhauled interior to bring it more in line with the current C-Class, the C-Class Sports Coupe gets a new name to boot: CLC. A host of new and/or revised features will be included with the car, which retains the same basic platform of the original Sports Coupe. Sadly, none of those features is named Eva Padberg, who is shown using her gown to hide most of the bodywork (both hers and the car's) from prying eyes. Expect to see the rest of the car on January 27 when fashion week officially kicks off.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

UPDATE: We've added a few more images to the gallery and the press release is now available after the jump.

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLC

Continue reading First Look: Mercedes CLC to be unveiled during Berlin Fashion Week

First Look: Mercedes CLC to be unveiled during Berlin Fashion Week originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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