NAIAS 2013: 2014 Mercedes CLA

[ausrutherford]

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 is an entry-level "style rebel"
By Steven J. Ewing
Jan 13th 2013
Autoblog

"Style rebel." Not a term we've often heard before in the presence of a Merc, but exactly the phrase that Mercedes-Benz is using to describe its new entry-level four-door coupe sedan, the CLA. The swoopy new compact you see here is making its first appearance on the eve of the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, though it will officially debut to the public during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin that runs from January 15 to 18. Rebellious? Maybe. Stylish? Absolutely.

The CLA-Class takes the rakish sedan formula first seen on the Mercedes-Benz CLS to a smaller scale, riding on the architecture that underpins the svelte new A-Class hatchback in other markets. It's a pretty car, especially with the optional sport goodies seen on the silver car in our image gallery, and its design is actually quite efficient. Mercedes has managed to achieve a super-slippery drag coefficient of just 0.23. (For comparison, a Toyota Prius has a drag number of 0.25.)

Only the CLA250 model will be offered in the United States (until the hotter CLA45 AMG arrives, anyway), available with either front- or all-wheel drive – Mercedes-Benz is employing an updated version of its 4Matic system here that features fully variable torque distribution. Powering the CLA250 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder good for 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, mated solely to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The standard CLA250 rides on 17-inch alloy wheels, while models with the available sport package roll on five-spoke, 18-inch wheels.

[nruggiero]

Ahh jeez. The Japanese are building ugly cars and now the Germans. What the hell is the world coming to?

[germeezy1]

If Mercedes can charge E class money for a C class, and S class money for an E class perhaps they can charge C class money for a B class? In some angles excellent mitigation of the FWD dash to axle ratio but in others it is very apparent, and I assume that the photography was deliberately done to be favorable of the FWD chassis inherent design flaws.

[donmateo]

Those headlights.....

[sfbreh]

I can dig it. As a new entry level Mercedes? Yes.

[Cobaltss_King]

This makes the Verano look like a beauty queen lol

[germeezy1]

I can dig it. As a new entry level Mercedes? Yes.

If this article is to be considered at least partially correct one will pay at or near ATS money for a FWD CLA 250 which in it's most powerful form is not utterly divergent from the base ATS 2.5.

[G8tor]

Overall body style is nice but fugly front and what is up with P-Daddy rims?

[cdp326]

The red one in pictures looks good from the front quarter/above views. Silver one not so much, could just be the wheels, since the red one has nice wheels. But with both the rear looks saggy and the taillights generic.

Interior I think I like, though.

[sfbreh]

If this article is to be considered at least partially correct one will pay at or near ATS money for a FWD CLA 250 which in it's most powerful form is not utterly divergent from the base ATS 2.5.

Wtf, really? MERCEDES, YOU ARE SO WORTH THE CASH.





JUST KIDDING.

[CheetahDC]

Most elegant Mercedes-Benz design since the W219 CLS-Class, imo. Whether that says something about this car, or MB's styling direction, I'll leave that up to you.

[germeezy1]

Mercedes Benz

" The Best FWD or Nothing "

[CamaroCrazy]

The fact that its FWD ruins it for me. That, and I feel it cheapens the sexy and worth-the-cash CLS. It makes that special car seem less special.

[spidge]

Overall body style is nice but fugly front and what is up with P-Daddy rims?

Notice the gaudy hip-hop influence on a lot of luxury cars these days? IMO, aimed at suburbanites who want to seem "cool" to their kids.

[spidge]

This makes the Verano look like a beauty queen lol

...and I FINALLY drove the Buick Verano. VERY nice. The right combo of handling and luxury, not too isolated from the road. It was hard to know if the engine was on at idle, but it was not entirely inaudible.

As much as I wish for a GTC variant, I'd take a Verano over a Mercedes CLA anyday. At least I can get a manual transmission with the Turbo trim.