Mercedes-Benz has finally launched the much eagerly anticipated CLA-Class, revealing what is one of the most strikingly stylish four-door coupe that will arrive on our shores at the end of the year.
The sleek sedan, codenamed C117, was unveiled at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in January and was previewed by the 2012 Concept Style Coupe. At the moment, it will be rivaling against the likes of the BMW 3 Series, the Audi A4 and the Volkswagen CC - that is until closer rivals from the other German carmakers are firmed up.
The CLA-Class is also the third model to be based on the German carmaker's new modular front-wheel drive platform. Dubbed the MFA platform, the four-door coupe shares its mechanical and electrical architecture with the recently launched A-Class and the second generation B-Class.
Exterior
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the CLA was inspired by the larger CLS, with which the smaller CLA shares its heavily sculptured sheet metal. This will also be the face of future Mercs, including the fourth model that'll be based on the same MFA platform - the GLA-Class.
The test car we had came with the AMG Sports Package, giving the CLA the extra aggression to stand out from its 'Urban' brethren. The said package, as the name suggests, comes with bigger air intakes, silver diamond studded grille, black rims and red highlights on the headlamps.
The sleek sedan, codenamed C117, was unveiled at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in January and was previewed by the 2012 Concept Style Coupe. At the moment, it will be rivaling against the likes of the BMW 3 Series, the Audi A4 and the Volkswagen CC - that is until closer rivals from the other German carmakers are firmed up.
The CLA-Class is also the third model to be based on the German carmaker's new modular front-wheel drive platform. Dubbed the MFA platform, the four-door coupe shares its mechanical and electrical architecture with the recently launched A-Class and the second generation B-Class.
Exterior
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the CLA was inspired by the larger CLS, with which the smaller CLA shares its heavily sculptured sheet metal. This will also be the face of future Mercs, including the fourth model that'll be based on the same MFA platform - the GLA-Class.
The test car we had came with the AMG Sports Package, giving the CLA the extra aggression to stand out from its 'Urban' brethren. The said package, as the name suggests, comes with bigger air intakes, silver diamond studded grille, black rims and red highlights on the headlamps.
At 4,630mm x 1,777mm x 1,436mm (L x W x H), the CLA250 that you see here is almost 50mm longer, 7mm wider and 9mm lower than the C-Class. As a result, it has a sophisticated and sporty demeanour like none other. People are bound to stare, as what we've experienced, regardless of whether you're waiting to make a turn at a junction or overtaking cars on the highway.
The CLA is so strikingly stylish from all angles that it makes it very desirable. Bold lines take charge from the headlamps right through to the C-pillars while incredible red gills fill the back lights, contributing to the car's stunning looks.
In short, Mercedes made the right choice of creating a 'design rebel' and ditching the formal look of other cars in its lineup. With the sloping roofline of a coupe and a practical number of doors, the CLA's profile view is indeed a fetching one as it stands out as one of the most distinctive and prettiest Mercedes ever created.
The CLA is so strikingly stylish from all angles that it makes it very desirable. Bold lines take charge from the headlamps right through to the C-pillars while incredible red gills fill the back lights, contributing to the car's stunning looks.
In short, Mercedes made the right choice of creating a 'design rebel' and ditching the formal look of other cars in its lineup. With the sloping roofline of a coupe and a practical number of doors, the CLA's profile view is indeed a fetching one as it stands out as one of the most distinctive and prettiest Mercedes ever created.
Interior
The in-cabin experience of the CLA stresses more on sportiness, particularly on our test car that also came with the Edition 1 package - with yellow stripes on the sports benches matching the leather stitching.
The cockpit is also patterned after the A-Class and B-Class, with round vents punctuating the dash. Also on the centre of the dash is the optional free-standing display screen that allows smart phones to be fully integrated into the operating system. Incidentally, this is part of Mercedes' efforts to make the car, like the A-Class, appeal to new and younger crowd.
But more importantly, cabin quality is top-notch, with soft-touch plastics, tactile rotary controls and buttons, on both the steering wheel and centre console, that feel good to the touch.
The in-cabin experience of the CLA stresses more on sportiness, particularly on our test car that also came with the Edition 1 package - with yellow stripes on the sports benches matching the leather stitching.
The cockpit is also patterned after the A-Class and B-Class, with round vents punctuating the dash. Also on the centre of the dash is the optional free-standing display screen that allows smart phones to be fully integrated into the operating system. Incidentally, this is part of Mercedes' efforts to make the car, like the A-Class, appeal to new and younger crowd.
But more importantly, cabin quality is top-notch, with soft-touch plastics, tactile rotary controls and buttons, on both the steering wheel and centre console, that feel good to the touch.
This four-door coupe offers seating for up to five adults, although we reckon having two at the back will be a more comfortable choice. Taller rear occupants may experience a lack of headroom due to the sloping roofline. But with a wheelbase of 2,699mm (60mm shorter than the C-Class), rear passengers will still have sufficient legroom.
Trunk space, on the other hand, is surprisingly spacious. With 470 litres of boot capacity - almost similar to the C-Class’ 475 litres - house mums can head to the supermarket and get their grocery shopping done in style.
When a car looks as elegant as the CLA, it can be a tough job to strike a perfect balance between its interior and exterior. But Mercedes-Benz has definitely pulled it off here, with form meeting function and good visibility of the road ahead.
Trunk space, on the other hand, is surprisingly spacious. With 470 litres of boot capacity - almost similar to the C-Class’ 475 litres - house mums can head to the supermarket and get their grocery shopping done in style.
When a car looks as elegant as the CLA, it can be a tough job to strike a perfect balance between its interior and exterior. But Mercedes-Benz has definitely pulled it off here, with form meeting function and good visibility of the road ahead.
The Drive
On the twisty test routes of France, the 2.0-litre powerplant held its own pretty well. Despite the torque figure at play, your sense of touch is never troubled with torque steer, not even when you decide to mash the right pedal when making a turn.
This, coupled with a good blend of ride, well weighted steering, ample grip and body control at high speeds, cornering around narrow mountain roads is never a nervous experience.
Three driving modes - Eco, Sport and Manual - are also available in the CLA. The Eco mode distributes torque more conservatively, resulting in gentler handling and supporting an economical driving style at lower revs. While this mode can help you to save that extra bit of petrol, leaving the car in Sport mode won't harm either.
In Sport mode, throttle response is immediately sharpened, with a more satisfying drive to keep the keen driver entertained as you gun the car towards the next bend.
On the highway, external noises are noticeable but only when the speedo points past 130km/h. And it's not difficult to reach illegal speeds, too, thanks to the maximum output of 211bhp and 350Nm of torque that will help send the car to its century mark in just 6.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 240km/h.
On the twisty test routes of France, the 2.0-litre powerplant held its own pretty well. Despite the torque figure at play, your sense of touch is never troubled with torque steer, not even when you decide to mash the right pedal when making a turn.
This, coupled with a good blend of ride, well weighted steering, ample grip and body control at high speeds, cornering around narrow mountain roads is never a nervous experience.
Three driving modes - Eco, Sport and Manual - are also available in the CLA. The Eco mode distributes torque more conservatively, resulting in gentler handling and supporting an economical driving style at lower revs. While this mode can help you to save that extra bit of petrol, leaving the car in Sport mode won't harm either.
In Sport mode, throttle response is immediately sharpened, with a more satisfying drive to keep the keen driver entertained as you gun the car towards the next bend.
On the highway, external noises are noticeable but only when the speedo points past 130km/h. And it's not difficult to reach illegal speeds, too, thanks to the maximum output of 211bhp and 350Nm of torque that will help send the car to its century mark in just 6.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 240km/h.
There's a good level of refinement in the CLA250, although we reckon the CLA200 had higher levels of it. The sports suspension that came equipped with our test car is never harsh over bumps and ruts. In fact, we would have liked the sports suspension setup to be stiffer.
Perhaps the only complain we have is the lack of a racy soundtrack. The CLA250 emits a plain four-pot bark, even when other sensation of being in the sporty cabin gets you prepared for a six-pot growl.
Conclusion
Mercedes-Benz has a reputation for luxury and comfort and with its newer models like the A-Class and CLA-Class out in the market, its reputation for being sporty may start building up.
While it isn't class leading, the baby four-door coupe is well targeted, well made and reasonably good to drive. On top of that, it looks stunningly beautiful and has reasonable levels of practicality.
In a market where looks and badge matters, we reckon the car is going to prove popular indeed.
Perhaps the only complain we have is the lack of a racy soundtrack. The CLA250 emits a plain four-pot bark, even when other sensation of being in the sporty cabin gets you prepared for a six-pot growl.
Conclusion
Mercedes-Benz has a reputation for luxury and comfort and with its newer models like the A-Class and CLA-Class out in the market, its reputation for being sporty may start building up.
While it isn't class leading, the baby four-door coupe is well targeted, well made and reasonably good to drive. On top of that, it looks stunningly beautiful and has reasonable levels of practicality.
In a market where looks and badge matters, we reckon the car is going to prove popular indeed.
