Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled the 2014 CLA at a crowded private media event in Detroit.
Previewed by the Concept Style Coupe, the production model is a compact sedan which features an aggressive body kit with a prominent grille, a gently sloping roofline, a dual exhaust system and 17-inch alloy wheels. It measures 4,630 mm long, 2,032 mm wide and 1,438 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,700 mm.
The German carmaker describes the CLA as a "styling rebel" adding that the car's drag coefficient of just 0.23 sets "a new benchmark among not only Mercedes models, but also all series-production vehicles."
Inside, the cabin comes nicely equipped with a 5.8-inch display, piano black trim, silver accents and the mbrace2 connectivity system which provides access to a variety of concierge services and apps. There's also an optional panorama roof, a Multimedia package that adds the COMMAND infotainment system and GPS navigation, along with Premium package which adds heated front seats, a harmon/kardon sound system and dual-zone climate control.
"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," said 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."
Motivation is provided by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It will be mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission or a 6-speed manual. Based on the new MFA platform which underpins the A-Class hatchback, the 2014 CLA will be available in front-wheel-drive or an optional 4MATIC all-wheel-drive. A fuel-saving ECO stop/start system will come as standard.
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA will go on sale in the United States this September. In terms of pricing, it will sit between the A-Class hatchback and the C-Class sedan.
