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The CLC is a sportier and more compact adaptation of the Mercedes C-Class. It was in production between 2002 and 2011, but it was only in 2008 that it was separated from the C-class as a model in its own right. It was designed to be small and fashionable, and did not have as many luxurious standard features as other Mercedes models (such as a CD player and leather upholstery) in order for it to be less expensive and appeal to a younger market. Mercedes-Benz CLC sales were not as high as expected, firstly because the car, although cheaper than other Mercedes models, was still out of the many young drivers' price range, and secondly because regular customers were disappointed by the lack of luxurious features they had come to expect from a Mercedes-Benz.
The first generation of the CLC was a version of the C-Class, known as the Sport coupe. The design closely followed the C-Class, although the rear had been 'chopped off' to create the hatchback. The first 2002 version had a 2.3L supercharged 4L engine, but in 2003 it became one in a range of C-Class models to have 1.8L engine.
When the CLC became its own separate line in 2008 it remained largely based on the C-Class, with only minor changes to the design to make it fresher and sportier than the original. In early 2011 production of the CLC stopped in order to produce a coupe model of the C-Class once again with a more traditional Mercedes design.
The CLC is a notable vehicle because it demonstrates Mercedes' attempts to break into a younger market. The car's design veers away from the traditional elegant style of other Mercedes vehicles and is fresher and feistier. Although no longer in production, second-hand Mercedes-Benz CLC cars are great buys for those looking for a fun yet high-end vehicle.