The Style Rebel
11/18/2014
Mercedes-Benz
The CLA is the entry Mercedes- four-door coupe, a style rebel that takes its design cues from the CLS. This vehicle seamlessly carries the design of the Concept Style Coupe into series production.
"The response to the Concept Style Coupe was overwhelming. The most frequent comment by far was 'Please put this car into series production.' That's precisely what we are doing now," notes Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management for Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. "The CLA is a car that does not confuse 'mid-size' with 'mid-quality'. Its sporty design underscores the sporty side of the Mercedes-Benz brand."
The sporty CLA comes with a powerful turbocharged engine generating 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque as well as a double-clutch transmission.
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
This radar-based assistance system provides the driver with visual and acoustic warnings of identified obstacles and primes Brake Assist for adaptive braking. Brake Assist is initiated as soon as the driver steps hard on the brake pedal. When the system identifies a risk of collision, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS calculates the precise braking force ideally needed to avoid an accident and makes the best possible use of any distance remaining. Adaptive Braking Assist activates at speeds of just 4 mph and gives trailing vehicles as much time as possible to also react accordingly and avoid another accident. COLLISON PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS is one of the many standard safety features of the CLA.
There are five special equipment packages and a series of standalone options for individualizing the striking compact four-door coupe (length/width with mirrors/width without mirrors/height: 182.3/80.0/70./56.6 inches). In keeping with the digital lifestyle of the CLA's social media-savvy target group, smartphones can also be fully integrated into the vehicle's display and operating system via mbrace, which is standard equipment.
Followed by a brief appearance on the eve of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the CLA celebrated its official world premiere at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin (January 15 to 18, 2013). The MY2015 CLA arrives at U.S. dealerships in early 2015.
The style rebel - exterior design
Its sporty proportions and powerfully dynamic design language featuring the interaction of concave and convex surfaces give this four-door coupe its distinctive look. The CLA carries the avant-garde design of the Concept Style Coupe into series production almost 1:1.
Striking features include the hood with its power domes and the diamond-look grille. The arrangement of the headlights and LEDs behind the headlamp lens evokes the characteristic "flame effect" for the optional daytime running lights and indicators. This light signature is a key aspect of the car's energetic look and shapes a new, youthful Mercedes face.
A number of details indicate that the design of the CLA represents a further development of the modern classic Mercedes-Benz CLS. Three prominent lines give structure to the vehicle when viewed from the side - the front structural edge above the fenders flows toward the rear in a characteristic dropping line. Another, more sinewy line spans the shoulder muscle above the rear axle, while the third feature line extends in a sweeping curve from the front wheel toward the rear. Together, these lines lend depth and dynamism to the side profile.
The design of the rear end emphasizes the width of the CLA, expressing power and athleticism with the interaction of convex and concave surfaces and edges.
The gently sloping roof contour and pronounced curve of the rear window retain the CLA's coupe-style character. The athletic look of the rear end comes from the drawn-in C-pillars paired with the shoulder muscle above the rear wheel arches. The tail lights are framed by the muscular shoulder lines extending into the back while the horizontal light layout emphasizes the car's powerful and visually striking breadth.
A large panorama sunroof is available as a standalone option. It consists of a fixed polycarbonate cover at the front, a glass moving panel and side trim elements to match the glass look.
Premium look-and-feel - the interior
The exterior's progressive, sporty appearance also carries through to the vehicle interior. Anthracite surface finish is available as the standard trim. Additional trim options include burl walnut wood, black ash wood and aluminum.
The instrument panel incorporates five air vents. The outer rings of the vents are done in a high-quality galvanized finish, while a galvanized insert controls the direction of airflow. The free-standing display is set in black piano-lacquer trim and edged with a flush-fitting silver frame.
Smart safety - advanced assistance systems
An extensive array of standard and optional driver assistance systems in the CLA is available to the driver. Standard features include ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection and radar-based COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS with adaptive Brake Assist, which offers collision protection in the CLA from speeds of just 4 mph.
The optional Driver Assistance package also offers DISTRONIC Plus, as well as familiar safety systems including Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist. PARKTRONIC with Advance Parking Assist enables autonomous parking in parallel and perpendicular parking spaces and is available as a standalone option.
Precision handling - the chassis and suspension
The CLA's running gear features McPherson strut suspension at the front and independent multilink suspension at the rear. Three control arms and one trailing arm at each of the rear wheels enable longitudinal and transverse forces to be handled separately. Specific to the CLA is the flexible decoupling of the rear axle sub-frame for improved ride characteristics. The wheel mounts and spring guides are made from aluminum in order to reduce unsprung masses. Standard equipment includes the Mercedes-Benz Sport Suspension for sporty yet comfortable handling.
The CLA also comes as standard with electromechanical power steering. Compared with conventional systems, this power steering system offers improved driver feedback and makes an important contribution to overall efficiency, as the power steering function draws energy only under active steering. It also facilitates various steering assistance functions activated by the ESP(R) control unit. These include counter-steering in the event of oversteer, corrective steering when braking on road surfaces with differing levels of grip (split-friction braking), minimization of torque steer and compensation for crosswinds and road gradients.
Both the front wheel drive and 4MATIC variants of the CLA250 are delivered on 17-inch, 5-spoke, light-alloy wheels clad in all-season, run-flat tires. The Sport Package offers 18-inch AMG twin 5-spoke wheels and adds Sport body styling plus perforated front discs.
High levels of traction and outstanding agility - 4MATIC all-wheel drive
The Mercedes-Benz CLA250 is also available with a new generation of the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system featuring fully variable torque distribution. Like the other 4MATIC variants, this completely new development boasts high levels of traction and outstanding agility combined with excellent safety and energy efficiency.
The components of the new 4MATIC include the power take-off to the rear axle, which is integrated into the 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission, and the rear-axle gear set with an integrated electro-hydraulic, multi-disc clutch. This set-up enables fully variable distribution of drive between the front and rear axles. Additional benefits of this design are a lower system weight than that of competitor systems, as well as a high degree of efficiency.
All set for the future - a powerful and efficient drive
The CLA250 and CLA250 4MATIC both feature Mercedes-Benz's 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It comes with the ECO stop/start function as standard for added gas mileage and is mated to the 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission for an outstanding combination of sporty performance and comfort.
"Always on" - multimedia systems
The latest generation of multimedia systems in the CLA provides a wide array of functions, apps and graphics.
Like all models in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, the CLA comes with the brand's acclaimed connectivity service mbrace, providing users with an extensive range of online and concierge services and apps all linking seamlessly to smartphones for use inside and outside the car. By using cloud technology, mbrace2 is always up to date and offers users wide-ranging and flexible access to content.
The CLA250 and CLA250 4MATIC both include the 7"-inch display and Bluetooth as standard equipment. The central controller provides an all-access pass to an abundance of advanced technology. This can be upgraded to the 8-inch display with the Multimedia package featuring the COMAND system with hard-drive navigation, voice control, an in-dash DVD player, a rearview camera and SiriusXM Traffic & Weather.
Premium comfort - additional equipment options
As well as the Multimedia package and Driver Assistance package, the CLA250 and CLA250 4MATIC are also available with the Premium package for an even higher level of comfort and convenience. Its features include an integrated garage door opener, SiriusXM satellite radio, KEYLESS GO, the harman/kardon Premium sound system, heated front seats, auto dimming mirrors, and a compass.
Mercedes management on the CLA
"The style rebel"
"We have transferred the expressive design of the Concept Style Coupe seamlessly into series production. With its unique design language, I am convinced that the CLA will make a powerful mark on the image of the Mercedes-Benz brand."
Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars
"Still it moves - yet, by setting new benchmarks in things like aerodynamics, efficiency and driver assistance systems, the CLA remains true to Mercedes-Benz's core values."
Prof Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Daimler Board of Management, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development
"The dynamic design language is expressed in breathtaking proportions, muscular, flowing contours and sculptural surfaces. The CLA is a style rebel."
Gorden Wagener, Head of Design, Mercedes-Benz Cars
About Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse line-up in the luxury segment with 14 model lines ranging from the sporty CLA-Class four-door coupe to the flagship S-Class.
MBUSA is also responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans, and smart products in the U.S. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at www.mbusa.com, www.mbsprinterusa.com and www.smartusa.com.