After the local introduction of Mercedes-Benz’s new compact cars, the A- and B-Class, the company has launched the new CLA range. Based on the same chassis as the A-Class, the CLA took its design inspiration from the CLS four-door coupé.
We already drove the top-of-the range CLA45 AMG in Germany, but this week marks the arrival of the entire range in South Africa.
The range kicks off with the CLA180 (R349 726) equipped with the 1,6-litre turbocharged petrol engine developing 90 kW and 200 N.m. Next in line is the CLA200 (R373 829), which utilises the same engine, but develops a punchier 115 kW and 250 N.m.
For buyers interested in a turbodiesel unit, there’s the CLA220 CDI (R397 600). This 2,1-litre unit delivers 125 kW and 350 N.m and offers a claimed fuel consumption of 4,5 litres per 100 km.
The CLA45 AMG has a sticker price of R678 607. Equipped with the same 2,0-litre turbocharged petrol unit as in the A45 AMG, the CLA45’s 265 kW and 450 N.m is said to propel the most compact AMG saloon from zero to 100 km/h in 4,6 seconds followed by electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.
The CLA180 and CLA200 come standard with a six-speed manual transmission while models equipped with 7G-DCT automatic transmissions cost R17 000 more.
There is a long list of standard safety equipment such as seven airbags, pre-safe, attention assist and collision prevention assist. All CLA models come with Mercedes-Benz 6-years/100 000 km maintenance plans.
Look out for our November issue where we feature a road test of the manual CLA 200.