What's all this about?
It's facelift time for the Mercedes-Benz CLA and CLA Shooting Brake models.
But I can't see any differences...
Then you're not looking hard enough. As with so many mid-life updates these days - and certainly as was the case with the A-Class 'overhaul' in 2015 - what we have here are a raft of minor changes. There's a new diamond radiator grille in black, revised bumpers front and rear that can (either as standard or optionally) have a variety of trim inserts in them and exhaust surrounds that are integrated flush into the car. Five designs of 18-inch alloys are on offer, while the new body shade of Cavansite Blue Metallic is included in the ranks. Options include LED High Performance headlamps.
OK, but looking at the pictures, the interior is untouched, surely?
Wrong again. Scrutinise the cabin and you might note new seat upholstery, updated trim parts for the dash and door cards, a slimmer version of that freestanding eight-inch screen on the dash and new instrument cluster dials that are supposedly easier to read. The tech count is up too, as Hands-Free Access (open or close the boot by waving your foot around near it), Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and a trailer coupling facility on AMG Line models are all offered.
How about under the bonnet?
Familiar drivetrains from the pre-facelift line-up, including the presence of the old 2.1-litre diesel in the CLA 200 d and 220 d models; the all-new 2.0-litre Mercedes turbodiesel, as seen in the latest E-Class, hasn't found its way here yet. There are some newbies, though: firstly, there's a BlueEfficiency Edition of the CLA 180 d, which - with 109hp and 260Nm - offers 80.7mpg and 89g/km CO2 as the Coupé, or 78.5mpg and 94g/km as the rakish Shooting Brake. Expect 0-62mph in 11.6 seconds (11.9 SB) and a top speed of 119mph.
I like a bit more pace. What can you tell me on that score?
The CLA 220 2.0-litre petrol now comes with 4Matic all-wheel drive. Sending 184hp and 300Nm through a seven-speed 7G-DCT automatic gearbox, the Coupé checks off 0-62mph in 7.1 seconds on its way to a 150mph top speed, while the Shooting Brake turns in comparative figures of 7.2 seconds and 147mph. You'll get 43.5mpg and 152g/km from the four-door, 42.2mpg and 154g/km for the estate.
Not quick enough. Give me more!
Right. The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 and CLA 45 Shooting Brake twins are also overhauled. With more aerodynamic bodies and a few extra facelift details - like the A-wing front bumper design - this is a pair of compact rocketships, as they now have the more potent 381hp/475Nm 2.0-litre turbo four as installed in the A 45 last year. Performance is therefore bonkers; both are limited to 155mph, but the CLA will do 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds while the Shooting Brake takes just 4.3 seconds for the same benchmark. That puts the wagon in a class of one, which we will term 'lunatic asylum escapee compact estates with enough acceleration to scare Ferraris'. We can't wait to drive it.
Such power scares me; I've changed my mind. Tell me more about BlueEfficiency.
Well, the CLA 180 BlueEfficiency Edition petrol powerplant - a 1.6-litre four of 122hp and 200Nm - can now be had in the Shooting Brake as well as in the Coupé. You'll get 51.4mpg and 126g/km from this wagon, with 0-62mph in 9.1 seconds and a 119mph top speed.
Is there anything else you'd like to add on the technical front?
Yes, and it relates to those mega AMG versions. Both now benefit from AMG Dynamic Select transmission modes, their AMG Speedshift DCT seven-speed gearboxes have shorter gear ratios and if you pick the Dynamic Plus Package then you get a mechanical differential lock thrown in for good measure.
When will we see these cars in the metal?
The facelifted CLA Coupé will debut at the New York Auto Show at the end of March; the Shooting Brake will be unveiled later, in Berlin in mid-April. UK order books open in April ahead of first deliveries in July.
Matt Robinson - 16 Mar 2016
