Coupé de grace

MANILA, Philippines - It is unbecoming for a coupé to apologize for being so. Let’s face it: no one goes into a showroom eyeing a two-door car thinking: “Hey, I like this. It looks practical.” Coupés have two doors because two doors trump four. They look muscular and robust because, well, they have the absolute right to do so. There’s no presumption of utilitarian ethos. This is the car type dads despise having their daughters picked up in.

With that in mind, you can thus understand why coupés aren’t a more common sight. But that shouldn’t be, in any way, a knock on these beloved two-door propositions. Sometimes, it should just be about the sheer joy of driving – sans the thought of domestic obligations and errands. And when was it ever a crime to look great while enjoying the good life?

Heaven forbid you get the Mercedes-Benz CLC 180 to do the groceries, although the vehicle would do that gladly for you.

Coming in at P2.68 million – no chump change – the CLC 180 is actually the entry-level coupé perfect for the new yuppie exec with a substantial car plan (or savings). There’s enough of a snob appeal that says you’ve arrived.

It certainly feels so behind the wheel. You get a feeling – and with good reason – that you have become the center of attention. Well, more correctly, it’s the car, though the CLC 180 should be willing to share the limelight with you. Think those bus passengers can’t see you enough? Then open the nifty dual sunroof so they can get an eyeful.

Seriously, the dual sunroof is proof positive that the back seats and the passengers they accommodate are not an afterthought or concession.

And there’s a practical side to coupé for early nesters. We got to spend half a day with my fiancee’s toddler niece Gabby. She totally enjoyed playing at the back (when traffic was heavy, we let her do so), without us having to worry about her accidentally opening a non-existent rear door (child-proof lock technology aside). Airbags aplenty for both front and rear riders (including window bags) are standard; more piece of mind right there.

In the Mercedes-Benz portfolio, the CLC 180 is a smaller vehicle that retains much of what we love about its bigger siblings in the other classes. The same proud gait is there – set off by the huge star on the grill that gawkers should see from a mile away. The emblem is flanked by bi-xenon headlamps equipped with a headlight cleaning system. Interior appointments are up to speed as well – the muted accoutrements are a perfect mix of technology and taste.

If you’re so inclined, you can mate via Bluetooth a total of 10 phones so you or your passengers can go hands-free. The audio quality is superb, and reception via onboard mic is top-notch.

The subtle checkered flag background of its gauges is a sporty, welcome touch that does not detract from the premium, elegant appointments within. Just like the design of the CLC 180 itself – sporty without going over the top.

A feature I particularly love as a paranoid driver vehicle’s proximity sensors – located in both the front and back. The system alerts you of pedestrians, vehicles, or objects getting close to your beloved car. In grinding, fender bender-prone traffic, the system goes ballistic when motorcycles get within inches, so I suggest you turn it off when it becomes annoying. When negotiating tricky situations, it certainly helps to keep it on rather than to ask someone else to check out if you’re about to scrape a curb or a flowerpot. Perhaps the only thing you might gripe about is the manual adjustment control for the seats. Then again, what’s a little effort for this much fun?

The 1,796-cc, four-liter Kompressor engine is adequate – dishing out a 143 horses and 220 Nm of torque. The three driving modes (manual, comfort, and sport) give you enough latitude to enjoy this five-speed MB. Gearshift paddles are available for your pleasure, too. Consumption can be as miserly as 12 kilometers per liter of the expensive stuff – depending on your driving habit.

A solidly built and elegantly built car, the CLC 180 is one coupé your date’s father probably wouldn’t mind seeing you picking up her daughter in. Just get her back by 12.