Mercedes-Benz Establishes New Segment With CLA-Class

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class adopts the design of the Concept Style Coupé and will bring it into series production, thus establishing a whole new segment in the automotive world. The CLA will be available with high-torque turbo engines rated at up to 211 hp and sports suspension.

The brand new model of the Mercedes-Benz will offer also numerous driving assistance systems, including advanced COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST. The latter is radar-based assistance system, which provides the possibly distracted driver with visual and acoustic warnings of identified obstacles and prepares Brake Assist for precision braking.

As one can see from the images, the CLA has extremely sporty proportions and dynamic design. First of all, the bonnet is embedded in the front end with powerdomes and a diamond-look grille. In addition, it includes the so called "flare effect" for the daytime driving lights and indicators possible thanks to the installation of light modules and LEDs behind the headlamp cover glass.

The rear has a powerful stance and athleticism, because it's strongly emphasized. Here, the rear window provides the CLA with a coupé-style character. Additionally, the tail lights are framed by the muscular lines of the shoulders which extend into the rear end.

As an option to the exterior, there is available a large panoramic tilting/sliding sunroof, which consists of a fixed polycarbonate cover at the front, a moving element made of mineral crystal and side trims to match the glass look.

How about the interior? The same sporty appearance can be seen here. The selection of high-quality materials is present and all trim surfaces are galvanized in silver shadow, resulting in a metallic finish with "cool touch".

Integral seats in the front and rear additionally underscore the athletic character of the car. Coloured contrasting stitching is available, according to the selected interior appointment options.

What is more, on this model is featured something called smart safety. It includes advanced assistance systems reducing the driver's workload. Some of the standards here include: ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection and radar-based COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST with adaptive Brake Assist.

When the latter feature is combined with DISTRONIC PLUS it becomes COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS. The Adaptive Highbeam Assist and the Lane Tracking package with Blind Spot and Lane Keeping Assist, are here featured as an option.

Of course, the chassis of the CLA features a MacPherson front axle and an independent multilink rear suspension, with three control arms and one trailing arm per wheel. But how about the range of engines included in the CLA?

The petrol engines with a displacement of 1.6 and 2.0 litres cover an output spectrum ranging from 122 hp (90 kW) in the CLA 180 through to 211 hp (155 kW) in the CLA 250. At the same time the two diesel engines deliver unmatched efficiency: CLA 200 CDI producces 136 hp (100 kW), with maximum torque of 300 Nm (406 lb-ft). With a cubic capacity of 2.2 litres, the CLA 220 CDI will delivers 170 hp (125 kW) and 350 Nm (474 lb-ft) of torque, emitting only 109 g CO2 per kilometre.

All of the mentioned units are equipped with ECO start/stop function as standard. They can be either matched to a six-speed manual transmission or with the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission.

2014 Mercedes CLA-Class will make its official world debut at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin (15 to 18 January 2013) and will be available for ordering from March 2013.

2014 Mercedes CLA-Class overview:

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class (2014)

Source: Mercedes-Benz