What's the news?
Order books have opened for the new Mercedes-Benz CLA, with prices starting from £24,355. Mercedes has given buyers two model lines and two engines to choose from, as well as a variety of optional extras.
Exterior
The CLA is initially offered in Sport and Sport AMG guises. Both models get twin exhausts, 18-inch alloys and chrome detailing on the outside. Exclusive for AMG Sport models are AMG five-spoke alloy wheels, sports suspension, a diamond grille and an AMG body kit. The latter consists of new front and rear bumpers, side skirts and the 'Night Package' that includes black door mirrors, privacy glass and bi-xenon headlights.
Interior
Both the Sport and AMG Sport models come with generous equipment as standard. The Light and Sight Package featuring rain-sensing wipers and illuminated door sills is standard, along with dual-zone climate control and a 5.8-inch infotainment system with aux-in, USB and Bluetooth connectivity. In addition, the AMG Sport model gets a flat-bottomed steering wheel and sports seats trimmed in a combination of Artico leather and Dinamica microfibre upholstery.
The Exclusive Package can be added too, priced at £1,970 and £1,640 for the Sport and AMG Sport respectively. This adds faux leather to the dashboard, upgraded seats and velour floor mats.
Mechanicals
Entry to the range is via the CLA 180. A 1.6-litre petrol engine is hooked up to a six-speed manual gearbox to deliver 122hp to the front wheels. The 0-62mph sprint takes less than ten seconds and the combined economy is a respectable 50.4mpg.
The engine of choice though is the 2.1-litre diesel found in the CLA 220. As well as having the seven-speed DCT automatic gearbox, power is up to 170hp and torque sits at 350Nm. This gets the diesel version from 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds, a top speed of 143mph and an official fuel economy figure of 62.8mpg.
Safety features include Attention Assist, Collision Prevention Assist and Active Park Assist as standard.
Anything else?
Mercedes will be launching a 4Matic all-wheel drive version as well as a flagship AMG specification for the CLA later on this year.
James Giddings - 19 Mar 2013