CLS's Mini-Me: Merc's new CLA reaches SA

Published Aug 2, 2016

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By: Jason Woosey

The Mercedes-Benz CLA is a rather interesting option in the snazzy small sedan market, based on the A-Class but lengthened and moulded to look like the CLS's Mini-Me. Like the latter it stretches conventional automotive definitions a bit by calling itself a 'four door coupé' but it does at least sport sleek pillar-less doors and a relatively low-slung stance.

What you're looking at is the new CLA, which hardly appears any different to its predecessor, given that it's simply a mid-life revision and the original wasn't exactly crying out for a facelift. Launched locally this week, the CLA receives some subtle exterior revisions, interior perk-ups and a more affordable diesel engine option in the form of the CLA200d.

Besides additional alloy wheel design choices and a new blue metallic exterior colour option, the design changes are primarily around the front end, where the CLA receives a new bumper, while the 'diamond' style grille is now fitted across the line-up, with black pins as standard and silver chrome pins adding flash to the AMG Line variants. Furthermore, the CLA 250 Sport and CLA 45 AMG feature LED High Performance headlights, which are available as an option on the rest of the range.

New diesel option

The engine line-up carries over as before, but there is a new entry turbodiesel model called the CLA 200d. It's a 100kW/300Nm version of the familiar 2.1-litre oil-burner that powers the CLA 200d, in which case it produces 130kW and 350Nm. The launch route gave me some time with the 220d on various country roads in Gauteng, and though it's no ball of fire off the mark, it cruises comfortably enough at highway speeds.

Turbopetrol options, as before, include a CLA 200 powered by a 1.6-litre rated at 115kW and 250Nm and a 2-litre CLA 250 Sport with 155kW and 350Nm. The latter gets 4Matic all-wheel drive as standard, as does the ferociously quick CLA45 AMG, which also receives the full suite of AMG suspension and braking modifications commanded by its monstrous outputs, which remain at 280Nm and 475Nm following the upgrades made to the 2-litre engine last September.

Firm ride

Played with on Zwartkops raceway, the 250 Sport and 45 AMG both felt safe and composed, but there's a clear bias towards turning the front wheels, with understeer prevalent in the 250's case. As before the suspension is on the firm side and the 220d's ride felt a bit hard on some of the bumpier stretches en route to the track.

The CLA has a sporty attitude after all and this is as apparent as ever inside, where new chrome plated controls and other subtle improvements such as redesigned instrument dials with red needles, new seat cover colours and snazzier trim inlays with the various trim packages keep it as trendy as a new hit single. Also new is a slimmer-looking 20cm display screen, which is an option with the standard 20 CD audio system.

PRICES

CLA 200 - 115kW/250Nm - R451 382

CLA 200 auto - 115kW/250Nm - R482 712

CLA 200d - 100kW/300Nm - R481 900

CLA 200d auto - 100kW/300Nm - R513 800

CLA 220d auto - 130kW/350Nm - R519 900

CLA 250 Sport 4Matic auto - 155kW/350Nm - R636 460

CLA 45 AMG 4Matic auto - 280kW/475Nm - R838 714

ALTERNATIVES

The CLA’s key rival is the Audi A3 Sedan, which starts at R383 000 for a 90kW 1.4T S, but that has less power than the lowliest CLA 200 so you might want to look at the 132kW 1.8T SE, from R423 000, or the 110kW/320Nm 2.0 TDI SE, at R459 900. At R606 500, the 206kW S3 Sedan is a more powerful alternative to the CLA 250 Sport.

If you don’t need back doors, BMW’s 2-Series Coupé is an option. The range kicks off with the 220i (135kW/290Nm) for R465 554, and there is a diesel option in the 220d giving you 140kW and 400Nm for R499 300. It also answers AMG with the acclaimed M2 Coupe (272kW, R859 606) but if you can’t get one there’s always the M240i (250kW, R631 626).

If a conventional sedan will suffice, it’s not too much of a stretch to Merc’s own C-Class range, from R473 198 for the 115kW C180.

Motoring.co.za

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