TUSCALOOSA, AL – The Mercedes-Benz CLC, known in its last incarnation as the C-Class Sport Coupe, has been totally restyled for 2008, according to Edmunds Inside Line and www. automobile.com. The 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC has a bit more premium spin than the former C-Class Sport Coupe, so it slots into the present C-Class lineup just beneath the CLK.

The CLC adopts the aggressive front end of the new-generation C-Class with its dual trapezoidal headlights, doing away with the classic, round, quad headlights. The CLC also features a prominent twin-slat grille, a look that gives it a clear family resemblance to the upmarket SLK roadster. At the same time, the tuning of the four-link independent front suspension and the multilink independent rear suspension has been thoroughly revised with stiffer spring rates and firmer dampers across the lineup.

Mercedes’ engine offerings will range from a basic 2.0L inline-four with 143 horsepower, all the way up to the willing and able 272-horsepower, 3.5L V-6, which enables the hatch to post 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds. If offered in North America, the CLC will most likely feature V6-only power, including a 2.5L V-6 with 201-hp, a 3.0L V-6 with 230-hp, and the aforementioned 3.5L 272-hp V-6. Six-speed manual and 7G-Tronic automatic transmissions are offered on all V-6s.

No information has been released about pricing.