Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class: prices and specifications
4 generations Country of origin: Germany
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is a compact sedan developed by the Stuttgart-based company for the US market. The reason is that the brand does not supply the A-Class hatchback to America. The abbreviation CLA stands for "Comfort Leicht Automobil," which translates to "comfortable light car."
The idea of producing a compact sedan that would fill the niche between the A-Class and B-Class hatchbacks had been considered by Mercedes-Benz management for several years. The decision to accelerate production of such a model was driven by Daimler AG's refusal to supply the A-Class hatchback to the American market, which was considered strategically important for the company. Instead, it was decided to send a new sedan to the US, work on which had been ongoing since 2010. By 2012, a prototype was ready — the Concept Style Coupe. Despite the word "coupe" in the name and a design reminiscent of four-door coupe-like sedans, it is still a classic sedan. The concept premiered in 2012 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It was equipped with a 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine paired with a seven-speed robotic transmission 7G-DCT and an advanced all-wheel drive system 4MATIC. It was built on the basis of the new A-Class hatchback, from which it inherited the radiator grille with artificial diamonds.
The production version of the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class officially debuted in January 2013 at the Detroit Auto Show. Compared to the concept, the production car received a more restrained exterior design. It is equipped with gasoline and diesel engines. Alongside the standard version, the "charged" modification CLA 45 AMG was shown at the auto show. The manufacturer also announced that in 2014, the CLA lineup would be expanded with a station wagon.
In Ukraine, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class was introduced in spring 2013.
The car is available with gasoline engines of 1.6 and 2.0 liters, as well as diesel engines of 1.5 and 1.8 liters. They work in conjunction with a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed robot 7G-DCT. Drive — rear or all-wheel drive.
