It’s not particularly spacious or sporty to drive – and at around £40,000 on the road (with a couple of options thrown in) it certainly isn’t cheap.

But the Mercedes-Benz CLK exudes such a general air of class that it has to be ranked as one of the most desirable coupes on the market.

For a start, it’s elegantly styled and outstandingly finished – and the 320CDI version features a torquey three-litre diesel which is both lusty, yet refined in operation. It offers relatively low CO2 emissions and can return around 35mpg on the combined cycle.

You also get a quality automatic gearbox, a welcoming interior with comfortable seats and a reasonably-sized boot for a sports car.

On paper, the svelte Merc looks rapid for an oil burner and the CLK will hit 60mph in under seven seconds, so it’s clearly no slouch.

But the car’s refined character suits refined cruising rather than pressing on. It is able to hold its own over twisty roads, it’s just that a more languid driving style seems more appropriate.

The CLK has a decent kit list, with standard features including rain-sensing wipers, headlamp washers and 18-inch alloy wheels.

But you’ll still probably want to check out the options list – and will have to fork out extra for features like electrically-adjustable seats, Bluetooth, heated seats and the Harman Kardon sound system which was in the test car.

As one would expect from a Merc, safety features are particularly to the fore. Standard safety equipment includes a full quota of airbags, headrests which move forward in the event of a rear-end crash, reducing the risk of whiplash injury, an electronic stability control programme with acceleration skid control and a useful tyre pressure gauge. Bi-xenon headlamps, with ‘active cornering’ are a £900 option, however.

The cabin is just the sort of environment a hard-pressed exec might appreciate after a hard day at work. There’s plenty of room in the front – less so in the back, but then this is a coupe, not a saloon.

I daresay many potential buyers will want to wait and see what the forthcoming Audi A5 looks like in the metal, while those in search of a sportier drive will doubtless be sizing up a BMW 3 Series 330d.

But those looking for a classy, comfortable coupe with a strong brand image need look no further than the CLK.