The main change is that Mercedes has grafted what looks like the nose of the new C-Class on to the front of the old car, and a good job it has done too.

This sort of trick has worked well for car-makers before; back in 1975, for example, Ford stuck a Mark II nose on the Mark I Ford Escort estate and hardly anybody noticed that it hadn't otherwise been updated in line with the saloon. It's certainly worth a try when the underpinnings of the car involved are still thoroughly up-to-date, as they are in the case of the Sport Coupé/CLC, and I expect that we shall see more of this sort of semi-update as the manufacturers try to fund the replacements for the vast ranges of niche models they built up during the good times in today's more challenging conditions.

Specifications

Model: Mercedes CLC 220 CDI Sport Panorama auto

Price: £25,835

Engine: 2.15 litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged diesel

Performance: 136mph, 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds, 42.8mpg

CO2: 188g/km

Worth considering: Audi A3, BMW 1 Series 3 door, Peugeot 407 Coupé

There are also a number of worthwhile under-the-skin changes, most notably, the variable ratio "direct-steering" fitted to Sport variants such as our test car, which is designed to offer good directional stability but a precise response when the wheel is moved from the straight-ahead position. The cabin is largely last-generation C-Class, but one loss is the second, lower, tailgate window that made reversing easier in the old car.

I have to admit that I was sceptical about the CLC, especially when I discovered the sticker on one of its door pillars proudly proclaiming that it had been built in Brazil, but it grew on me. That was mainly a product of our test car's strong, if slightly clattery, 220CDI diesel engine and optional automatic gearbox. Regular readers may remember that this combination did well powering the enormous E-Class Binz limousine we tested last year; it has an easy life propelling the CLC.

The CLC isn't the most exciting car, but as the cheapest "proper" (which is to say, rear-wheel drive) Mercedes, it does the job.

John Lambert, 32

IT consultant, Wellesbourne

Usual car: Citroën BX

What does CLC stand for? On the basis of my experience I'd say it is "Cracking Little Coupé". There are some niggles; some of the interior trim feels cheap and it sounds like a taxi at low rpm. More serious is the lack of rear visibility; the back window just isn't deep enough. And pulling away is not as seamless as it should be; the drive is taken up with a jerk. Other than that, Mercedes has made almost the perfect car for me. The steering is direct without being twitchy; the ride, firm yet comfortable; the performance almost relentless, especially at motorway speeds. Even the styling appeals, especially the bold rectangular grille and headlamps. I only wish I had £24,000 or so to buy one.

John Sainsbury, 52, and Jack, 19

Company director and student, Woodford Green

Usual cars/bike: John: Chrysler 300C, Honda S2000, Honda 400/4 F1; Jack: Ford Ka

The conundrum facing every prospective owner of the CLC is: what niche does it fill? A coupé, a hatchback or a sporty-looking 2+2? The answer is all of them, yet the car does not fit exactly into any one class. The aggressive front end of the test car was a match for our S2000, but the 2.2 diesel engine would better be described as adequate rather than exciting. Jack, at 6ft 2in, was able to curl himself into the rear seats and found the legroom OK. The CLC seems well made, if somewhat bland. This is a car that would initially attract you by its looks, could disappoint you in the short term, but I feel that familiarity would breed content!

Stephen Howie, 52

Teacher, Cottenham

Usual car: Mercedes-Benz 230E (W123)

This is an appealing small car which feels sporty despite its diesel engine. It rides well, is comfortable and has good handling, acceleration and brakes. There's limited room in the back and poor rear visibility, although this is aided by the excellent convex mirrors. The gearbox provides rapid, smooth changes, but I didn't find the paddles convincing in their operation, checking constantly with the dashboard display that the gear change had actually taken place. With its rear-wheel drive, it can be considered the cheapest "real" Mercedes, but its price range overlaps with the saloon version of its successor, so a less well-specified example of the latter seems a more attractive proposition.

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