The
Mercedes CLA
is set to establish a new
segment, with world-leading
aerodynamics and avant-garde
coupé design. As a new
four-door coupé it follows
the idea of the CLS, whose
design concept has spawned
more than its fair share of
imitators since its debut in
2003. With its frameless
doors, the coupé adopts the
design of the Concept Style
Coupé into series
production. The newcomer
features a radar-based
braking system as standard
which is able to warn the
driver of an obstacle from a
speed of 4 mph and to
initiate precision braking
when the driver steps on the
brake pedal. The new
Mercedes
CLA will be available for
ordering from March 2013 and
will be delivered to
retailers in June 2013.
In keeping with its sporty
positioning, the
Mercedes CLA is
available with high-torque
turbo engines rated at up to
211 hp and sports
suspension. The technical
highlights of this new
design icon include a new
world record in aerodynamics
for series production
automobiles (Cd value: 0.23
– 0.22 for the CLA 180
BlueEFFICIENCY Edition,
and numerous driving
assistance systems.
|
Sleek as they come:
new record Cd value
With a Cd value of 0.23, the
Mercedes CLA
sets a new
benchmark – both within the
Mercedes-Benz model range
and among all production
vehicles. The drag area, Cd
x A - which is crucial to
aerodynamic resistance –
also leads the field, at
0.51 m². This already record
figure is undercut still
further by the CLA 180
BlueEFFICIENCY Edition
(not confirmed for the UK
market). In this case the Cd
figure is 0.22, while in
terms of wind resistance the
four-door coupé manages to
breach another magic
barrier: the figure here is
just 0.49 m². |
|
|
The good air flow
characteristics, which are a
major contributory factor to
the vehicle's impressive
fuel consumption in everyday
conditions, result from
numerous aerodynamic
optimisation measures. These
include a low A-pillar
shoulder with adapted
A-pillar geometry,
aerodynamically optimised
exterior mirrors, wheel
trims designed for low
aerodynamic drag and
serrated wheel spoilers on
the front and rear wheel
arches.
Extensive underbody
panelling, additional
panelling in the middle area
of the rear axle and an
aerodynamically optimised
rear silencer followed by a
diffusor improve the flow of
air under the underbody.
Powerful
and efficient drive
A year ahead of the
scheduled introduction of
the Euro 6 in 2014, all
petrol-engine variants and
the top diesel variant of
the new Mercedes CLA already
meet the future requirements
of this European emissions
standard.
The
petrol engines with
a displacement of 1.6 and
2.0 litres cover an output
spectrum ranging from 122 hp
in the CLA 180 through to
211 hp in the CLA 250. The
two
diesel engines
combine dynamic low-end
torque with the utmost
efficiency: the CLA 200 CDI
generates 136 hp, with
maximum torque of 300 Nm
(available from the 3rd
quarter of 2013). With a
cubic capacity of 2.2
litres, the CLA 220 CDI will
offer an output of 170 hp
and 350 Nm of torque,
emitting only 109 g CO2
per kilometre.
All the engines feature the
ECO start/stop function as
standard. The engines are
combined with a six-speed
manual transmission or with
the 7G-DCT dual clutch
automatic transmission,
which reconciles comfort and
sportiness in inimitable
fashion.
|
Model |
|
CLA 180 |
CLA 250 |
CLA 220 CDI |
|
|
|
Petrol, direct
injection |
Diesel,
direct
injection |
|
Displacement |
cc |
1595 |
1991 |
2143 |
|
Transmission |
|
6-speed |
7G-DCT |
7G-DCT |
|
Output |
hp |
122 |
211 |
170 |
|
Max. Torque |
Nm |
200 |
350 |
350 |
|
Fuel consumption
combined |
mpg |
50.4 – 52.3 |
45.6 – 46.3 |
62.8 – 67.3 |
|
CO2-emissions* |
g/km |
126 - 130 |
142 - 144 |
109 - 117 |
Acceleration
0-62 mph |
s |
9.3 |
6.7 |
8.2 |
|
Max. Speed |
mph |
130 |
149 |
143 |
UK pricing and specification
are still to be confirmed.
