After Mercedes just launched its CLS a whole generation ahead of Audi and BMW, the new model once again has no obvious opposition from the three-pointed star’s two big German rivals. The German brand will take down the premium saloon market in 2013 with its new CLC, an CLS-inspired model.
The new CLC (codenamed C117), uses the same front-wheel and four-wheel drive platform that will be the base of the new A- and B-classes. We can’t say that this car uses a clever ‘sandwich’ set-up of the current cars, this being more a conventional architecture.
The power of this new CLC will come from a turbocharged petrol engine, a 1.6 liter in two versions, developing 121 BHP and 154 BHP, and two diesels, 1.8 liter (108 BHP, 134 BHP) and a 2.1 liter with a choice of 168 BHP or 201 BHP, all of them coming with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard.
An AMG version is also planned and it seems that the originally Mercedes’ tuning house in Affalterbach wanted to equip the CLC with a twin-turbocharged 2.0 liter engine which will develop 296 BHP, connected to a dual-clutch gearbox. This powerful AMG version will be a strong opponent for the VW Golf-R.
Mercedes-Benz will offer this new four-door CLC as an indirect successor of the 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II classic and it is expected to make its official launch in an international auto show sometimes next year.
Source: Inautonews
Photo Source: Autobook
