Appealing Freshness Through Design and Sportiness

Mercedes-Benz is a premium brand, and indeed, the image of it being an "exclusive brand" has long been strong. While luxurious to drive, they were also expensive.

However, by overturning the conventional wisdom that "luxury cars must be rear-wheel drive" and introducing the front-wheel-drive compact "A-Class" and "B-Class," they became more accessible. The TV commercial for the second-generation A-Class, which used animation, was quite impactful. It was clearly aimed at lowering the target user's age. While many users who drive one end up liking it and becoming loyal, this increased loyalty led to a situation where the average age of "C-Class" owners exceeded 50, making user rejuvenation a major challenge for Mercedes.

Subsequently, the A-Class was positioned as a more dynamic hatchback, the B-Class as a model excelling in space utility, creating clear differentiation. Furthermore, the sleek four-door coupe "CLA" and the compact SUV "GLA" were introduced. By offering models in various segments within the compact class, they are meeting diverse user needs. These four models have already sold over one million units globally, significantly contributing to the rejuvenation of Mercedes owners. And the fifth model to join the compact family is the "CLA Shooting Brake," the model we test-drove.

The "CLS Coupe" & "CLS Shooting Brake," and the coupe version of the "CLA" have already been released. In the context of Mercedes, known for its "solid and practical" nature, the initial appearance of the "design-conscious and sensual" CLS was even sensational.

The CLA Shooting Brake inherits the design of the CLS and CLA. It features prominent character lines, a deeply sculpted surface, and a distinctive, flowing, coupe-like roofline. It exudes a sportier atmosphere than a coupe.

Testing the CLA 250 4MATIC Shooting Brake

Shooting Brake means wagon, but it's differentiated from a typical "station wagon" by its name. In other words, even though it has a wagon shape, Mercedes is deliberately prioritizing design; they are intentional about it.

Nevertheless, while the exterior dimensions are the same as the coupe, the Shooting Brake offers superior space utility. The roofline is longer than the coupe's, increasing rear seat headroom by 40mm. There is also ample legroom, so two adults can sit in the rear without feeling cramped. The door openings are also larger, improving ingress and egress compared to the coupe.

Furthermore, the rear seatback angle is adjustable. Folding the seats creates a large luggage compartment, and if you want to carry passengers in the rear while also maximizing luggage space, you can set the seatbacks to the cargo position to increase the luggage capacity.

On the other hand, compared to a coupe, a wagon style makes rear airflow management more difficult, which is aerodynamically disadvantageous. However, the CLA Shooting Brake's Cd value is 0.26, compared to the coupe's 0.23, achieving the highest value for a wagon in its class. This not only contributes to driving performance but also to fuel efficiency.

The international test drive event was held in Frankfurt. The model tested was the CLA 250 4MATIC Shooting Brake. It is equipped with a 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, the 7G-DCT.

I drove through the unfamiliar streets of Frankfurt, relying on the navigation system. The body, which is just the right size for daily use, offers excellent maneuverability, allowing for nimble and responsive driving. With peak torque of 350 Nm available from just 1,200 rpm, there's ample torque from the start. However, the power delivery isn't overwhelming; Mercedes' refined tuning makes it easy to handle.

On the highway, whether accelerating or cruising, it handled every situation with ease. While there weren't many situations where I consciously noticed it was 4WD, it likely contributed to its excellent high-speed stability. Despite its sporty appearance, the ride comfort is also pleasant, making it a stylish partner for daily life, leisure, and active lifestyles.

Comfort-Oriented CLA 45 AMG

The AMG model, the "Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC Shooting Brake," was also unveiled at the same time.

The front features a honeycomb grille, differentiating it from the standard model. The interior is predominantly black, with red used as an accent color in various places, such as the stitching on the door trims, seats, steering wheel, and around the air vents. While the sporty feel and quality are enhanced compared to the standard model, the materials in the center console and other areas lack the quality of higher-end models, which is a slight disappointment.

The engine is the same 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo engine found in the already released AMG models of the compact family, paired with the 7G-DCT. This engine, boasting the highest power output for a production four-cylinder turbo, delivers a maximum output of 265 kW (360 hp) at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 450 Nm at 2,250-5,000 rpm. Due to this high power output, the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system is employed.

When you start driving, it produces a flamboyant engine sound, and when you release the accelerator, a spirited popping sound echoes. This alone creates an adrenaline-pumping experience.

Meeting Demanding Needs

After about an hour's drive from Frankfurt, we reached a mountainous area. Even on winding roads, the positive impressions from city and highway driving were not betrayed. On the contrary, like a fish in water, it handled corners with exhilarating ease. The 265 kW of maximum power and 450 Nm of peak torque exploded, allowing enjoyment of the engine's revs up to the limiter without stress.

The Shooting Brake is 30 kg heavier than the coupe, but this weight increase is concentrated towards the rear, improving the front-rear weight distribution compared to the coupe's 60:40 ratio. While the handling is stability-oriented, there's no strong understeer, and it turns obediently in response to steering input.

Although there are differences from higher-end models, such as the absence of drive modes, the powerful engine and the suspension balancing comfort and handling showcase uncompromising AMG technology. It offers a satisfying driving experience as an entry-level AMG model.

The CLA Shooting Brake is a car that meets the slightly demanding needs of those who want a stylish, sporty, and luxurious car in a just-right size.

Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 SPORT 4MATIC Shooting Brake
Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Sport 4MATIC Shooting Brake
Body Dimensions | Length 4,685 x Width 1,780 x Height 1,435 mm
Wheelbase | 2,700 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,555 / 1,555 mm
Weight | 1,580 kg
Engine | 1,991 cc Inline-4 Turbo
Bore x Stroke | 83.0 x 92.0 mm
Compression Ratio | 9.8:1
Max Output | 155 kW (211 ps) / 5,500 rpm
Max Torque | 350 Nm (35.7 kgm) / 1,200-4,000 rpm
Transmission | 7-speed AT (7G-DCT)
Drivetrain | 4WD
Suspension Front | MacPherson Strut
Suspension Rear | Multi-link
Brakes Front | Ventilated Discs
Brakes Rear | Ventilated Discs
Tires Front/Rear | 235/40 R18
Price | 5.45 million yen

Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC Shooting Brake
Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC Shooting Brake
Body Dimensions | Length 4,690 x Width 1,780 x Height 1,435 mm
Wheelbase | 2,700 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,555 / 1,555 mm
Weight | 1,660 kg
Engine | 1,991 cc Inline-4 Turbo
Bore x Stroke | 83.0 x 92.0 mm
Compression Ratio | 8.6:1
Max Output | 265 kW (360 ps) / 6,000 rpm
Max Torque | 450 Nm (45.9 kgm) / 2,250-5,000 rpm
Transmission | 7-speed AT (7G-DCT)
Drivetrain | 4WD
Suspension Front | MacPherson Strut
Suspension Rear | Multi-link
Brakes Front | Ventilated Discs
Brakes Rear | Ventilated Discs
Tires Front/Rear | 235/35R19
Price | 8.62 million yen
(Currently only the OrangeArt Edition is available in Japan)