By: Henrie Geyser

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And the suits at Merc are confident that the latest addition to the Mercedes-Benz alphabet has got more of the same magic that has sold 320,000 C-Class coupes since it was launched in 2001.

Hugely popular in South Africa the re-shaped, re-booted and re-supercharged C-Class coupe certainly has the flair and performance to do well, even in a new car market being mercilessly flogged by interest rates and escalating fuel prices.

What immediately appeals about the new CLC is its understated elegance and sporty design.

Its pace-packet is particularly well manicured and although one cannot help but notice the snazzy alloys and crouching stand, it doesn't scream in your face “I can do 0-100km/hn in 6.3 seconds” which is rapid, even for a sports car.

In typical Merc fashion both models are superbly furnished and finished, with zillions of fancy specifications, plus a long list of optional extras for those who want to customise and personalise.

The CLC is available in two model choices and with two new engines: one four-cylinder and one six-cylinder unit.

The CLC 200 Kompressor coupe is now armed with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder unit armed with a more dynamic supercharger, optimised pistons and a modified engine management system.

The new powerplant pushes out 135kW and 250Nm which translates into just 8.6 seconds for the zero to 100km/h sprint.

Fuel consumption is obviously a key factor in modern engine development and the Mercedes-Benz engineers claim this new engine will consume just 7.8 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres in the NEDC cycle.

The CLC 350 is equipped with a high-torque 3.50-litre V6 that stomps out 200kW and 350Nm for a top speed electronically cut off at 250km/h. It will do the 0-100km/h squirt in just 6.3 seconds.

Standard on the CLC 200 is a six-speed manual transmission, but there is also the option of a five-speed automatic transmission.

The V6 model has the ultra-fast, ultra-smooth 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission which also has the gearshift paddles on the steering wheel.

One can write a book about the features on both models which include standard kit such as sports seats, automatic climate control system, three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, six airbags, projection-beam headlamps, acceleration skid control (ASR), electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors, front power windows, split-folding rear seats, alloy wheels, fully adjustable steering column, fog lamps, power steering, heat-insulating glass and central locking with crash sensors.

For those who have credit cards in need of exercise, further options include Bi-xenon headlamps with a cornering light function and cleaning system, leather trim, media interface for external MP3 players and other audio devices, panoramic sliding sunroof, parktronic, rain sensor, heated front seats, voice-operated control system, a surround sound system and classy birds-eye maple trim.

But luxury, looks, comfort and every-day functionality aside, the CLC is all about driving pleasure and here both models really excel.

I drove the 200 and the 350 coupes on a lovely scenic route with lots of straight sections and twisty mountain roads between Knysna, George, Mossel bay and Oudtshoorn (including a mis-directed GPS route on a muddy mountain pass) and loved the performance, road-holding and versatility of both cars.

The V6 has a power surge that is absolutely addictive. The delightful combination of sound and power just encourages you to stomp down on the accelerator at every opportunity. For sheer fun, this one is difficult to beat.

Not that the smaller 200 is all that much slower - and at its price of R335,000 compared to the R405,000 of the 350 CLC, I won't be at all surprised if it becomes the biggest seller of the two.

Both models are keenly priced, particularly if you compare them with their more sedate saloon sisters. The standard C200 saloon costs R329,000 and the standard 350 saloon sells for R444,000.

Both cars are easy to drive and parking is a walk in the park, with good all-round visibility and light steering. Even though they are two-door cars they are spacious and entry into the back is easy, even for tall ones.

Road-holding on both CLC models is outstanding, even when pushed really hard.

A couple of two-minded hee-haws who decided at the last minute to join the rest of their donkey-family on the other side of the road jut outside Oudtshoorn necessitated an extreme brake and avoidance action but our sleek black 200 behaved like a true aristocrat, not for a split-second feeling unsettled.

Mercedes-Benz has been building superb coupes for many years and the new CLC Sports Coupe is right up there with the best this stable has produced. Just like the new C-Class range, the CLC is destined to become another popular class leader.

[17 Jul 2008 17:19]

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