Attractive, intelligent, and at the same time practical: The latest iteration of the synthesis of four-door coupe and estate-car from Mercedes-Benz has arrived on our shores.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake delivers coupe-like design with generous load space thanks to a roof that is continued through to the rear and rounded off by a tailgate.

It is a designer car, with proportions which ensure that it appeals first and foremost to the emotions. A long bonnet, compact greenhouse with coupe-like window lines, muscular shoulders over the rear wheel arch and a sinuously crouched rear, clearly show its sports car genes.

All round practicality is meanwhile ensured with a new 871mm boot opening which also features contactless opening thanks to Mercedes' EASY-PACK and the HANDS-FREE ACCESS convenience package. Boot space stands at 505 litres, which then expands to 1370 litres with the rear seats folded down.

The interior of the shooting brake also mirrors the modern and cool ambience of the CLA Coupe. Technophiles will find plenty to be pleased about, with the new digital features integrated into the interior in a creative and pioneering way: The car's widescreen display is completely free-standing with no cowl on the wing-shaped main body of the instrument panel.

Meanwhile, the lower section of the instrument panel is visually separated from the main body of the instrument cluster by a 'trench', an effect that is amplified by the car's ambient lighting, which offers a selection of 64 colours, with ten colour schemes and various effects in three brightness zones. Sporty turbine-look air vents are also designed to appeal to the senses.

The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) also features in the CLA Shooting Brake, allowing for voice-operated control with a simple 'Hey Mercedes'.

The CLA Shooting Brake promises the sportiest driving characteristics of all the compact car models from Mercedes-Benz, thanks to a wider track which not only makes the car look even more athletic, but also lowers its centre of gravity.

A multi-link rear suspension ensures precise control tyre geometry as well as good ride comfort and quiet-running. An Adaptive Damping System is also available on request, which allows the driver to switch between more comfort or particularly sporty tuning.

A 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine will deliver 161bhp and 250Nm of torque in the shooting brake, and is characterised by significantly increased power with improved efficiency and emissions over the preceding generation of engines.

Local specifications may vary from the pictures shown.