Mercedes-Benz has officially taken the wraps off the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class four-door coupe in Detroit. The CLA draws its inspiration from the larger CLS and was previewed by the Concept Style Coupe.
Mercedes-Benz has officially taken the wraps off the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class four-door coupe in Detroit. The CLA draws its inspiration from the larger CLS and was previewed by the Concept Style Coupe. “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 2014 CLA is based on the A-Class hatchback and the CLA250 is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged engine generating 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque that comes with the ECO stop/start function as standard for added gas mileage and is mated to the 7-speed dual clutch transmission. The CLA250 sends its power to the front wheels, but it is also available with a new generation of the 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system featuring fully variable torque distribution.
The CLA will be available with four equipment packages and a wide range of driver assistance systems, including advanced Collision Prevention Assist. 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 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.
Following a brief appearance on the eve of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the CLA will celebrate its official world premiere at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin (January 15 to 18, 2013). The new CLA will arrive at U.S. dealerships in September 2013.
