The Little Brother to the CLS Arrives

The "CLA" is an all-new model that newly joins the Mercedes-Benz lineup. As the "A" following the "CL" in its name suggests, it is a compact model that inherits the lineage of the 4-door coupeCLS"CLS." Its styling is exactly that of the concept car "Concept Style Coupe" revealed at the Beijing Motor Show in April 2012. The flowing roofline that arcs from front to rear, and the sporty exterior design, which also echoes the design cues of theA-Class"A-Class," clearly indicate that the CLS and CLA are siblings.

The interior is also finished with a sporty image, and its layout is based on that of the A-Class.


Three types of power units are available for the CLA. The "CLA 180" and "CLA 200" are equipped with a 1.6-liter inline-4 turbo, the "CLA250" with a 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo, and the "CLA 220CDI" with a 2.1-liter inline-4 diesel turbo. The transmission is a 6-speed AT for the 1.6-liter inline-4 turbo, and a 7G-DCT (dual-clutch) for the 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo and 2.1-liter inline-4 diesel turbo.

In addition, front-wheel drive is standard, with 4MATIC (4WD) available as an option, marking the first time for a model based on Mercedes-Benz's front-wheel-drive platform. This newly designed system weighs only 70kg and works in conjunction with the 7G-DCT (dual-clutch).

The body dimensions are 4,630mm in length, 1,777mm in width, and 1,437mm in height. Compared to the A-Class, the width and height are almost the same, but the length is about 330mm longer. The size is comparable to the "C-Class."

In Europe, the CLA's sales price ranges from €28,997 for the CLA180 to €38,675 for the CLA250. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in April. It is also planned for sequential introduction in Japan.