The new Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake: Extravagant and practical: sports car with load space

The main points at a glance

Dynamic design:
The design, with its elongated lines and features such as the bonnet with powerdomes or the lowered rear licence plate, underscores the car’s sporty character. The new CLA Shooting Brake is 48 millimetres longer than before, 53 mm wider but 2 mm lower.

Sports car with load space:
Back as far as the B-pillar, the outline of the frameless windows is identical to that of the CLA Coupé. Behind it, the window line runs considerably higher, which makes entering for rear passengers easier. At 871 millimetres, the boot opening is significantly wider than in the previous model (635 mm).

The concept for its dimensions: longer, wider and more grown-up

Cooler style in the interior:
In the interior, the Shooting Brake is identical to the Coupé. A generous sense of space is created by the widescreen display and the distinctive wraparound architecture of the instrument panel, all complemented by the use of high-quality materials.

A new operating experience:
The newest version of voice control for MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) can be experienced in the CLA. The voice assistant ‘Hey Mercedes’, for instance, is able to recognise and answer considerably more complex queries. MBUX can also feature augmented reality, upon request. A video image of the surroundings taken with the front camera is augmented with helpful navigation information.

Driving assistance:
For the first time, the CLA is able to drive semi-autonomously in certain situations. Functions familiar from the S-Class are available in the Driving Assistance package.

MULTIBEAM LED headlamps:
The optional MULTIBEAM LED headlamps allow quick and precise adjustment of the headlamps to the current road and traffic conditions. With the adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, the high beam can remain on at all times,

Two-litre diesel engines featuring Euro 6d
The two-litre diesel engine (OM 654q) in the CLA 200 d (combined fuel consumption 4.5-4.2 l/100 km, combined CO₂ emissions 118-111 g/km)^[1] and CLA 220 d (combined fuel consumption 4.5-4.4 l/100 km, combined CO₂emissions 119-115 g/km)¹ complies with the Euro 6d standard that does not come into effect for new models until 1.1.2020.

^[1] The stated figures are the measured “NEDC CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher value may be applied as a basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax.

Extravagant and practical: sports car with load space

Attractive, intelligent – and at the same time practical: the latest iteration of the extravagant synthesis of four-door coupé and estate-car rear end will appear from September in the form of the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake. Like the CLA Coupé, the Shooting Brake reinterprets the design idiom of sensual purity, turning the interior into a cool and stylish user interface for intelligent digital technology. From the striking “shark nose” at the front of the vehicle and the smooth expanses of its sides, the design displays elegant athleticism right through to the muscular lines of its rear end. The latter serves to provide the CLA Shooting Brake with a crucial extra element of functionality. While just as much a designer piece as the CLA Coupé, it offers more space for spontaneity, be that on an extended shopping spree or for sports and outdoor activities where space is required.

The interior of the CLA Shooting Brake displays the modern, cool and high-quality ambience of the Coupé. In addition, it offers passengers more space than the predecessor model in the shoulder, head and elbow areas. The digital environment of the CLA’s technophile customers is integrated into the interior in a creatively and technically pioneering way. Thanks to MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) with further improved voice recognition, the operation of ever more functions is becoming more natural and much simpler.

Great emphasis is placed on individualisation in the new Shooting Brake with the Progressive and AMG Line design and equipment lines as well as an increasing and diverse range of apps, which can be downloaded from Mercedes me, called up via MBUX and their services then used.

This CLA is thus aimed at customers for whom, just a few years ago, Mercedes‑Benz was not the first choice that came to mind when they were looking to buy a car. “We want to address young individualists with the particularly expressive design of the CLA Coupé and CLA Shooting Brake. Furthermore, the new CLA Shooting Brake offers more space than its predecessor – for sports equipment and much more,” says Britta Seeger, Member of the Daimler AG Board of Management for Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales.

Like the previous model, the new CLA Shooting Brake will be manufactured at the Kecskemét plant (Hungary) and comes onto the market in September 2019.

Design: sports car with load space

The CLA Shooting Brake is a five-door model and clearly a coupé in terms of its proportions, yet it offers considerable effective load space thanks to a roof that is continued through to the rear and rounded off by the tailgate. It is a designer car, the proportions of which ensure that it appeals first and foremost to the emotions: a long bonnet, compact greenhouse with coupé-like window lines, muscular shoulders over the rear wheel arch and a sinuously crouched rear, which clearly shows its sports car genes. The outline of the frameless windows is identical to the outline of the Coupé itself up to the B-pillar. Behind it, the window line runs considerably higher, which makes entering for rear passengers easier. Elongated into the rear, it tapers off into an acute angle.

The flat headlamps, distinctively forward-tilted front end (“shark nose”), the elongated, low-slung bonnet and the diamond radiator grille with central star mark the typical Mercedes-Benz sports car look. The powerdomes are dynamic styling elements.

The number of character lines has been reduced, for example the shoulder line has been completely dispensed with. The surfaces are structured with soft sculptural curvatures. These emphasise outlines and proportions, thereby helping to define the vehicle’s sporty character.

The narrow two-part rear lamps and the licence plate positioned in the bumper are typical for the GT rear with a flush transition between the rear bumper and the tailgate. The CLA Shooting Brake strikes an impressive pose on the road and looks athletic from every angle. At 871 millimetres, the boot opening is significantly wider than in the previous model (635 mm).

The interior of the passenger compartment is identical to that of the Coupé. Both CLAs offer a unique interior architecture, especially on account of the avant-garde instrument panel: the widescreen display is completely free-standing with no cowl on the wing-shaped main body of the instrument panel. This stretches continuously from one front door to the other. The lower section of the instrument panel is visually separated from the main body of the instrument cluster by a “trench”. The ambient lighting amplifies this effect, offering a selection of 64 colours, ten colour schemes and various effects in three brightness zones. The three air vents are incorporated here, and their sporty turbine look appeals to the senses even without the lighting.

Digital home on wheels: MBUX keeps on learning

Mercedes-Benz User Experience, MBUX for short, defines the experience in the interior of Mercedes-Benz models since the beginning of 2018 and is developing from model to model in line with the digital world. A high-level computing capacity, bright screens and graphics, individualisable presentation, highlights available on request such as a full-colour head-up display and navigation with augmented reality; additionally software capable of learning and voice-operated control that goes beyond the conventional automotive standards and accepts passengers’ instructions following the command “Hey Mercedes”. MBUX is completely customised to the wishes of modern users.

ENERGIZING comfort control: wellness while driving

The new CLA Shooting Brake is even more comfortable thanks to Energizing comfort control, which networks the various comfort systems in the vehicle. Functions of the air conditioning system and the seats (heater, ventilation, massage) as well as lighting and musical moods are used in a targeted manner to enable a specific wellness set-up tailored to the mood and need of the customer.

Based on an intelligent algorithm, the ENERGIZING COACH recommends one of the ENERGIZING packages’ programmes depending on the situation and individual. If the Mercedes-Benz vivoactive^® 3 smartwatch or a compatible Garmin^® wearable is connected, the driver’s well-being is taken into consideration in the recommendation based on his/her stress level, pulse frequency or sleep quality the previous night.

Suspension: agile yet comfortable

Along with the CLA Coupé, the CLA Shooting Brake has the sportiest driving characteristics of all the models in the new compact car generation from Mercedes-Benz. This is down to the wider track which makes the new CLA Shooting Brake look even more athletic, as well as the lower centre of gravity and the multi-link rear suspension generally fitted in these models. The wheel suspensions are not only precisely guided, but also designed for ride comfort and quiet-running with acoustic control arms that decouple vibrations at the rear and hydromounts at the front. A large-scale stabiliser bar reduces the roll angle.

An Adaptive Damping System is available on request, which allows the driver to switch between more comfort or particularly sporty tuning. There is a huge selection when it comes to the wheels. The rim diameters range from 16 to 19 inches, tyre size starts at 205/60 R 16 and finishes at 225/40 R 19 ex works. The ESP^® tuning has been specially adapted to the CLA’s potentially high cornering speeds and handling performance.

Aerodynamics: extensive flow simulation helps to save fuel

Aerodynamics was always one of the first CLA’s strong points. Thanks to extensive flow simulation on the computer and fine tuning in the wind tunnel, the new model maintains the high level despite its wider track. The Cd value of 0.26 is naturally above that the Coupé (0.23), whose tapering rear inherently creates somewhat less flow. Apart from just aerodynamic resistance, development work also focussed on the reduction of wind noise.

Intelligent Drive: functions from the S-Class

The CLA Shooting Brake features the current range of driving assistance systems with cooperative driver support and thus provides a very level of active safety for this segment, with functions adopted from the S‑Class. Thanks to improved camera and radar systems, the CLA can look up to 500 m ahead and can drive partially autonomously in certain situations, for example by conveniently adapting the speed before corners, junctions or roundabouts using Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with recourse to maps and navigation data. As a new function of the Active Steering Assist, among other things, there is also the intuitive Active Lange Change Assist. If the Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC is additionally onboard, the CLA also has the function extended automatic restart on motorways.

Powertrain: efficient and powerful four-cylinder engines

The new CLA Shooting Brake relies on the four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, which were completely updated for the relaunch of the compact model series. In comparison to the previous generation, they are characterised by significantly increased power and by improved efficiency and emissions. By the time of market launch in September there will be a wide range of diesel and petrol engines with manual or dual clutch transmission, front-wheel or all-wheel drive 4MATIC to choose from.

Overview of models and prices:

*+/- 1.5%

^[1] With 6-speed manual transmission, expected to be available from the third quarter of 2019

^[2] The stated figures are the measured “NEDC CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher value may be applied as a basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax.

^[3] Recommended retail price in Germany, incl. 19% VAT

^[4] The stated figures are the measured “NEDC CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher value may be applied as a basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax.

^[5] Recommended retail price in Germany, incl. 19% VAT

Interview with Robert Lesnik, Head of Exterior Design: “Extremely sporty design with an element of practicality”

The Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake is an unusual vehicle to find in the compact class. Questions about it are put to Robert Lesnik, Head of Exterior Design at Mercedes-Benz.

Mr Lesnik, a four-door coupé with the rear end of an estate car – it’s certainly an unusual combination, isn’t it?

Lesnik: It’s because it’s so unusual that we haven’t called it an Estate, but a Shooting Brake – a throwback to a type of sporting carriage that used to be used by shooting parties in England, with plenty of space for all their gear and the day’s bag. In the 1960s and 70s, the Brits in particular began to experiment with exclusive crossover vehicles that combined the luxury and style of a coupé with the load space of an estate car.

You don’t seem to have any direct competitors in this segment – does that surprise you?

It does, a little. Yes, of course, the first CLA Shooting Brake was something of a gamble – but the market gave us our due reward for taking this creative risk. It is precisely this combination of extremely sporty design coupled with an element of practicality that made the previous CLA Shooting Brake so successful. And I’m one of those that it appeals to – a coupé, but one in which I can stow my bike or my skis without any problem at all.

The CLA Shooting Brake is already the sixth model among the compact cars to be updated. For all the differences between the A and B-Class, the CLA and the forthcoming GLB, are there any unifying styling elements?

All versions are puristic in design, with pleasing proportions and sensually appealing expanses of bodywork. What’s left, when you dramatically cut back on folds and lines, is the essential shape and body, a process that we undertook with the current generation of compact cars. The result is “Sensual Purity”, as we call our design philosophy, to which we continue to aspire. A car must be intelligent and beautiful. All good vehicle designs of the past were lavish and sensual. The ideal of beauty embodied in these forms is simply attractive. All our designs embrace this heady mix of “hot” and “cool”, form and function, sophisticated and simple.

Can you explain this to us in visual terms, using the example of the CLA Shooting Brake?

Position yourself behind the CLA. From here, you can see the muscular and yet sensual shoulder above the rear wheel arch particularly clearly. Or take a look at the proportions from the side view: long bonnet, compact greenhouse, sporty window line and the sinuously crouched rear. They are the proportions of a coupé and arouse the emotions that we associate with such a car. The surfaces are structured by light in a highly sophisticated approach, rich in nuances. At the same time, however, the Shooting Brake features a large tailgate. That is its cool, more practical side. As also represented by its excellent dynamics.

To finish with, a personal question: where does your enthusiasm for designing cars come from, which in your case builds on the solid foundations of a mechanical engineer?

Even as a child, I had the opportunity to tinker around with the cars in my father’s body construction workshop. That was, for me, a very traditional hands-on way into automotive design.

Robert Lesnik (48) began his career by studying mechanical engineering in his home city of Maribor, in Slovenia. His first degree was followed by a second course of study, this time in industrial design, at the School of Design at Pforzheim University, Germany. Following an initial few years working for the VW Group, Lesnik has now been working for Daimler AG since 2009. Since 2014 he has been Head of Exterior Design.

Exterior design: Pure emotion

The Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake is an unusual vehicle to find in this class. Mercedes-Benz introduced the first generation of the CLA Shooting Brake in 2015: a five-door, clearly a coupé in terms of its proportions, and yet with considerable effective load space thanks to the roof which continues through to the rear and the rear door. The new CLA Shooting Brake, too, is a designer car, the proportions of which ensure that it appeals first and foremost to the emotions:

a long bonnet, compact greenhouse with coupé-like window lines, muscular shoulders over the rear wheel arch and a sinuously crouched rear, which clearly shows its sports car genes. The outline of the frameless windows is identical to the outline of the Coupé itself up to the B-pillar. Behind it, the window line runs considerably higher, which makes entering for rear passengers easier. Elongated into the rear, it tapers off into an acute angle.

Flat headlamps with the striking daytime running lamps together with the low slung bonnet and the diamond radiator grille with central star create the vehicle’s sporty face, which has clear echoes of classic Mercedes-Benz sports cars. The distinctive forward-tilted front end (“shark nose”) and the powerdomes on the bonnet are dynamic styling elements.

The number of character lines has been reduced. The shoulder line, for example, has been completely dispensed with. The reduced lines of the side profile allow plenty of space for precisely modelled surfaces. The soft, sculptural curvatures give rise to an interesting interplay of light and shadow, which gives the car a strong presence but presents challenges in terms of design and manufacture.

Dispensing with the upper shaped edge of the side wall permits muscular and athletic shoulder shaping, stretching from the front wheel arch through to the sculptured rear, and culminating just above the rear wheel arch. This creates a sense of tension, as if the car is ready to jump.

At the same time it emphasises the outlines and proportions, thereby helping to define the vehicle’s character. It is 48 millimetres longer than before, 53 mm wider but 2 mm lower.

The narrow two-part rear lamps and the licence plate positioned in the bumper are typical for the GT rear with a flush transition between the rear bumper and the tailgate. At 871 millimetres, the boot opening is significantly wider than in the previous model (635 mm). In addition, the tailgate can also be opened contactlessly with EASY-PACK and HANDS-FREE ACCESS.

The CLA Shooting Brake strikes an impressive pose on the road and looks athletic from every angle. Flush with the outer edge of the body, the wheels with their flared wheel arches and wide track epitomise dynamism and give the vehicle a sporty presence. This sporty tone can be emphasised even more with wheel sizes of up to 19 inches.

Interior design: More space for digital natives

The interior of the CLA Shooting Brake displays the modern, cool and high-quality ambience of the Coupé. In addition, it offers passengers more space than the predecessor model in the shoulder, head and elbow areas. The digital environment of the CLA’s technophile customers is integrated into the interior in a creatively and technically pioneering way. All elements are arranged according to the overarching design themes of “high tech” and “youthful avant-garde” – be that the steering wheel, the door handle operating module, the centre console or the seats.

The unique interior architecture is above all due to the avant-garde design of the dashboard. The designers completely dispensed with a cowl above the cockpit. As a result, the wing-shaped main body of the dashboard extends from one front door to the other with no visual discontinuity. The widescreen display is completely free-standing. This creates a generous sense of space. The high-tech impression of the large screen surface makes its full effect as the centre of attention in the interior.

A horizontal indentation with decorative trim runs along the entire width of the dashboard, dividing the upper and lower part of the dashboard. This band emphasises the width and thus the sense of space. It can be directly or indirectly illuminated by the interior lightening, underscoring the valuable atmosphere of the interior. There are three air vents in the middle which are integrated into the ambience lighting and resemble small turbines.

More space: growth to enhance comfort

The interior dimensions of the CLA Shooting Brake have grown compared with the previous model in almost every aspect:

• Headroom, front: +9 millimetres
• Headroom, rear: +8 millimetres
• Elbow width, front: +35 millimetres
• Elbow width, rear: +44 millimetres
• Shoulder room, front: +9 millimetres
• Shoulder room, rear: +22 millimetres

Broad range: a wealth of individualisation options

The prominence of the large screen alone allows individualisation because the driver can select from several options for the display. The completely free-standing display unit is available in three versions: with two 7-inch displays (17.78 cm), with one 7- and one 10.25-inch display (26 cm) and, in the widescreen version, with two 10.25-inch displays.

The colours and materials in the CLA Shooting Brake reinterpret the modern luxury of Mercedes-Benz. Depending on the version and the design and equipment line, black, macchiato beige, Bahia brown or two-tone combinations between these or black and red or black and grey can be selected. The trim elements on the dashboard and doors are coordinated to match in a DINAMICA, carbon fibre-look, aluminium or high-quality open-pore wood finish.

The expanded ambient lighting (optional) stages the interior like a work of art with 64 colours and ten colour schemes.

Take a seat: three seat variants and new comfort options

Three different seat variants offer excellent ergonomics and a high degree of comfort even on longer journeys. Alongside the standard seat with straight stitching, a comfort seat with double topstitching is available in conjunction with the Progressive design and equipment line. The AMG Line comes with sports seats front and rear as standard. This seat variant is also available as an option for the Progressive design and equipment line. The comfort seats can also be ordered as multicontour seats with electrically controlled air cushions and as an option can not only be heated be also ventilated. The backrest of the rear seats can be folded in a 40:20:40 split if desired, thus offering through-loading for bulky items.

Well-connected: space and connections for smartphones and other devices

There is a touchpad directly to hand in front of the armrest on the centre console between the seats. It is an optional part of the holistic, intuitive touch operating concept – a triad consisting of the media display touchscreen, the Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel and the touchpad itself. This can be controlled with two fingers and allows zooming in the navigation map as well as leafing through the operating menu on the large screen of the media display, if you do not want to have to reach your arm out to it. The connections for digital devices are conveniently housed behind a shutter in the front section of the console. Wireless charging for smartphones that support this function is also available upon request.

There are further connections in the large storage space under the armrest which opens to both sides like butterfly wings at the touch of a button. This means that passengers, for example, can also charge up their devices. Depending on the equipment package, the two cup holders in the front centre console of the CLA Shooting Brake are complemented by a further two in the centre armrest in the rear. The front door pockets include bottle holders for plastic bottles up to 1.5 litres in size, while the ones in the rear can each accommodate a one-litre bottle.

MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) MBUX keeps on learning

In 2018, MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) created a furore at its world première at CES in Las Vegas. With high-performance chips and innovative hardware components such as high-resolution screens and brilliant 3D graphics partially generated in real time, an individualisable display, full-colour head-up display, navigation with augmented reality and software that is capable of learning, Mercedes-Benz is revolutionising how the car is operated. And communication with it: “Hey Mercedes” is the keyword for voice control that explodes conventional automotive standards. The CLA is firing up the next stage of MBUX.

The voice control feature – initially in German and English – provides topical answers in a growing number of subject areas. The continuous development of the system successively expands this option to further languages and also accesses country-specific content providers.

The information on the instrument cluster and media display is easily legible on the large, high-resolution screens. An emotive presentation underlines the comprehensibility of the intuitive control structure and offers brilliant graphics in top visual quality.

Depending on mood or to suit the chosen interior, the user has a choice of three different styles:

• Modern Classic is a further development of the classic display style in an elegant-light and exquisite material mix.
• Sport has a high-tech turbine look with decidedly sporty black/yellow contrasts.

• Progressive showcases the digital aspect in a reduced form and visualises modernity in highly aesthetic glass lenses.

The newest version of voice control for MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) can be experienced in the CLA. The voice assistant ‘Hey Mercedes’, for instance, is able to recognise and answer considerably more complex queries. What’s more, the voice assistance no longer gets confused by other passengers conversing. Instead it only responds to the commands of the person who last said ‘Hey Mercedes’ to activate the system – and you can retain your natural speech rhythm while using the system.

Modular structure: new tailor-made user experience

The MBUX functions are modular in structure, so that the precise needs of different customers can be met. The system features as standard two 7-inch displays for the instrument cluster and media display with touchscreen, a multifunction sport steering wheel with Touch Control buttons on the left and right, a USB interface (Type C), a Bluetooth^® connection for telephony and audio sources.

MBUX can be complemented with the following options (packages apply to the German market), whereby many services can also be activated later by updates:

• Basic Navigation package: extended MBUX functions (including intelligent voice control with “Hey Mercedes”), navigation, pre-installation for Live Traffic Information and touchpad.
• Display package: 10.25-inch instrument cluster, 10.25-inch media display and touchpad.
• Premium Navigation package: 10.25-inch instrument cluster, 10.25-inch media display, extended MBUX functions (including intelligent voice control with “Hey Mercedes” and WiFi hotspot), navigation, pre-installation for Live Traffic Information, pre-installation for digital radio; touchpad and Traffic Sign Assist.
• MBUX Augmented Reality Navigation: a video image of the surroundings taken with the aid of the front camera is augmented with helpful navigation information, for example arrows or house numbers are automatically superimposed directly onto the touchscreen of the media display.
• Head-up display: important information is projected into the windscreen directly in the driver’s field of vision, reducing distraction from the traffic situation. There is also less eye fatigue for the driver, as the eyes do not constantly have to refocus between close-up and long-distance vision.
• Multifunction telephony: connects the smartphone to the vehicle’s exterior antenna. Data transmission benefits from this, as does making calls. Compatible mobile phones charge wirelessly and network with the vehicle via Near Field Communication (NFC).
• Burmester^® surround sound system with 12 loudspeakers and a system output of 590 watts.

New and improved Mercedes me connect services are part of the new infotainment generation MBUX. The Mercedes me in-car apps can be placed as an icon on the screen in a user-friendly way, and can be freely sorted on the homepage like all other main applications. The individual Mercedes me connect services have been bundled together into equipment packages, for example Vehicle Monitoring, Live Traffic Information and the Digital Vehicle Key.

ENERGIZING comfort control: Wellness on wheels

ENERGIZING comfort control networks various comfort systems in the vehicle and uses lighting and musical moods plus a number of massages for a wide range of feel-good programmes. The new ENERGIZING COACH recommends situational programmes. Also new are the ENERGIZING seat kinetics. The system supports advantageous changes in the seating posture by means of minute movements of the seat cushion and backrest when on a journey.

There are two ENERGIZING packages to choose from: the ENERGIZING package includes the Refresh and Vitality as well as the Training programmes (three training sessions – muscle relation, muscle activation and balance – each with several exercises). The training can also be carried out while on the move. In addition, in the ENERGIZING Package plus, the Warmth, Joy and Well-being programmes are also available.

Each programme is designed for a ten-minute period. They are visualised on the media display with colour graphics, and backed by suitable music, among other things. The main function of the “Joy” programme is massage, for example. There is also music which further underscores the mood of the programme on account of its rhythm. If personal music selections are available, e.g. via the Media Interface, the system analyses them in the background and assigns them to a programme based on the beats per minute. Individual functions of the programmes can be deactivated.

ENERGIZING comfort control also incorporates the ambience lighting, which is harmoniously tailored to each of the individual screen designs. The light stages the interior like a work of art by composing colour schemes from different colours, thereby creating a new, holistic comfort experience.

ENERGIZING COACH: comfort with instructions

The ENERGIZING COACH is a new feature. This function based on an intelligent algorithm recommends one of the programmes depending on the situation and individual. If the Mercedes-Benz vivoactive^® 3 smartwatch or another compatible Garmin^® wearable is linked, personal values such as stress level or sleep quality optimise the precision of the recommendation. The aim is for passengers to feel well and relaxed even during demanding or monotonous journeys. In addition, the pulse rate supplied by the integrated Garmin^® wearable is shown on the media display.

Suspension: Agile and stylish

When it comes to driving dynamics, the new CLA holds true to its design promise and can, if so required, be individualised with the addition of active adjustable damping. The first striking feature is the wider track compared to its predecessor (an extra 63 mm at the front and 55 mm more at the rear) which, in connection with its lower centre of gravity, gives the CLA the sportiest driving characteristics of all models in the new generation of compact cars from Mercedes-Benz.

The CLA comes as standard with a comfort suspension with steel springs and McPherson suspension struts at the front. There is a decoupled multi-link axle at the rear for reduced noise and vibration. This suspension can optionally be ordered in a lowered version. Stabiliser bars with a larger diameter at the front and rear reduce body roll.

As an option, an active adaptive damping system is available, giving the driver the choice between more comfort or a more sporty tuning. It reacts instantly and modifies the tuning depending on the situation. Sensors constantly gauge the condition of the suspension and the driving situation, and adapt the damping individually at each wheel via a controllable valve in the shock absorber.

The range of wheels starts at 16 inches and goes up to 19 inches with tyre sizes starting at 205/60 R 16 and ending as standard at 225/40 R 19. In contrast to the predecessor model, the range of aerodynamically efficient aero-wheels in particular has been increased. The ESP^® has been specially adapted to the CLA’s potentially high cornering speeds and handling performance.

The driving assistance systems and MULTIBEAM LED lights: Watchdog

The CLA features the current range of driving assistance systems with cooperative driver support and thus provides a very high level of active safety for this segment, with functions adopted from the S‑Class. The powerful light emanating from the MULTIBEAM LED headlamps takes away any anxiety about night-time driving and self-adjusts to the traffic situation.

For the first time, the CLA is able to drive semi-autonomously in certain situations. To do this, it keeps a close eye on the traffic situation. Improved camera and radar systems allow it to see up to 500 metres ahead. The CLA also uses map and navigation data for assistance functions. For example, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC as part of the optional Driving Assistance package is able to provide route-based support to the driver in numerous situations, and to predictively and conveniently adjust the speed, e.g. when approaching bends, junctions or roundabouts. Also on board are e.g. Active Emergency Stop Assist and intuitively understandable Active Lane Changing Assist.

The new CLA comes with enhanced Active Braking Assist as standard. Depending on the situation, it can effectively help to mitigate the consequences of rear-end collisions with slower-moving, stopping or stationary vehicles ahead, and even with crossing pedestrians and cyclists, or to prevent them altogether.

Active Lane Keeping Assist (likewise standard) is able to warn the driver by means of pulsed vibrations in the steering wheel when the vehicle is unintentionally drifting out of its lane at speeds between 60 and 200 km/h. If the vehicle passes over a solid line, it can pull the vehicle back into lane by applying the brakes on one side. In the case of a dotted line, such intervention takes place only when there is a danger of collision with a vehicle in the adjacent lane (danger from oncoming traffic).

PRE-SAFE^® PLUS can detect an imminent rear-end collision. If the danger of a collision persists, the system can also firmly apply the brakes of the stationary vehicle, thus lowering the risk of injuries by reducing the forward jolt caused by an impact from the rear.

MULTIBEAM LED headlamps: better visibility

Another example of automotive intelligence and the transfer of technology from the luxury segment to the compact class are the optional MULTIBEAM LED headlamps. They allow extremely quick and precise, electronically controlled adjustment of the headlamps to suit the current traffic situation. Each headlamp on the CLA incorporates 18 individually controllable LEDs. The daylight-like light colour of the LEDs is easy on the eyes and has a positive effect on concentration. The road ahead is precisely and brightly illuminated. In addition, the Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus can be ordered, which prevents oncoming traffic from being blinded while at the same time using the full performance of the headlamps where it does not bother anyone.

LED High Performance headlamps are a further option. As standard, the new CLA is equipped with halogen headlamps with integrated LED daytime driving lamps. The tail lamps are also available with all-LED technology.

Powertrain: Efficient, powerful and comfortable

The new CLA relies on the four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines which were completely updated to relaunch the compact model series. In comparison to the previous generation, they are characterised by significantly increased power and by improved efficiency and emissions. In keeping with the sporty character, the Shooting Brake is being launched with a petrol and diesel engine, initially with 180 hp. Both two-litre diesel engines (OM 654q) already fulfil the Euro 6d standard which does not come into force until 1.1.2020 for new models. In addition, 4MATIC all-wheel drive is available for some variants.

The engines at a glance:

*+/- 1.5%

The M 282 with a displacement of 1.33 litres forms the point of entry to the range of petrol engines in the CLA 180 and CLA 200. The engine excels with very compact dimensions, low weight (approx. 110 kg dry) and high static and dynamic rigidity. An electronically controlled wastegate and flexible charge pressure control ensure optimal charge pressure over the entire rpm and load range and thus efficiency and power when starting off.

In order to ensure efficient performance in the partial load range, this engine also features a cylinder shut-off system, initially in combination with the 7G-DCT transmission. Depending on the power requirement, in the range between 1250 and 3800 rpm the intake and exhaust valves of the second and third cylinder are closed by valve clearance adjustment. The remaining two cylinders therefore operate under higher loads, and therefore more efficiently. To minimise friction, the cylinder walls are coated using the patented NANOSLIDE^® process and the piston skirts with a very hard-wearing Eco-Tough coating with graphite. The new four cylinder engine with high compression ratio (10.6:1) comes with a particulate filter as standard and runs especially quietly thanks to extensive insulation and damping. The M 282 is produced in the Kölleda plant in Thuringia. It is combined with the six-speed manual transmission or the 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission.

The M 260 petrol engine: trumpet-honing and variable valve timing system

In its engine block of die-cast aluminium, the two-litre M 260 engine from the more powerful CLA petrol variants has cast iron cylinder liners whereby the cylinder bore is widened at the lower end in line with the CONICSHAPE^®principle, also known in-house as “trumpet-honing”. This reduces piston friction and lowers fuel consumption, in conjunction with a new low-friction oil and optimised piston rings. The pistons themselves feature cooling ducts to take account of the higher specific output. The balance shafts for smooth engine-running are located in the lower section of the crankcase.

In the aluminium four-valve cylinder head, the CAMTRONIC variable valve timing system allows two-stage adjustment of the valve lift on the intake side. In the partial-load range with a smaller valve lift it reduces the load quantity and thus lowers gas cycle losses. In higher load ranges the system switches to the higher valve lift to achieve the engine’s full power delivery. The direct injection uses the latest-generation piezo injection valves. Their installation position and control are meant to avoid raw emissions especially of particles. A particulate filter is also standard with the M 260.

All of the measures, including the precisely regulated geometry of the turbo charger with wastegate, make the engine quiet, powerful, economical and low in emissions. It is configured for front-wheel drive and 4MATIC all-wheel drive, and combined with the 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission. The M 260 engine is produced by the Kölleda plant.

The OM 654q diesel engine: already certified according to Euro 6d

The more powerful diesel versions of the new CLA have the current premium OM 654q two-litre diesel engine adapted for transverse installation. On the inside, the OM 654q offers efficiency-enhancing technological highlights such as steel pistons with stepped bowls in an aluminium block. The cylinder liners are coated using the further-improved NANOSLIDE^® process.

The compact engine allows all components of the exhaust aftertreatment system to be installed directly on the engine itself where the exhaust temperature is higher, making for more efficient aftertreatment. Thanks to further improved exhaust aftertreatment, the powerful four-cylinder from the modern OM 654 engine family already meets the Stage 2 RDE (Real Driving Emissions) standard coming into force from 2020, and is certified to Euro 6d.

Thanks to the near-engine insulated configuration, the emission control system has little heat loss and ideal operating conditions. The measures taken include

• high and low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation including cooling,
• a diesel oxidation catalytic converter (DOC) to avoid the emission of carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbons (HC),
• a particulate filter with SCR catalytic function (sDPF),
• an SCR catalytic converter (selective catalytic reduction) for reducing nitrogen oxides. For this purpose, ammonia in the form of the carrier AdBlue^® is added to the exhaust gases before entering the sDPF,
• an additional selective catalytic reduction (SCR) converter with an ammonia slip catalyst (ASC) in the exhaust tract.
• Available in two output levels in the form of the CLA 200 d (110 kW/150 hp) (combined fuel consumption 4.5-4.2 l/100 km, combined CO₂ emissions 118-111 g/km)^[4] and the CLA 220 d (140 kW/190 hp) (combined fuel consumption 4.5-4.4 l/100 km, combined CO₂ emissions 119-115 g/km)¹, the engine in each case delivers its effortlessly superior power to the 8G-DCT dual clutch transmission. The gear ratios are closer together on account of the additional gear range, which makes for enhanced ease of shifting and extends the possibility of using the engine in the best possible operating point. At the same time, the 8th gear has a longer ratio, and at constant speeds on the motorway, for example, rpm is decreased which is good for efficiency and noise comfort.

The OM 608 diesel engine: point of entry with 116 hp

The development of the entry-level OM 608 diesel engine in the CLA 180 d (combined fuel consumption 4.3-4.0 l/100 km, combined CO₂ emissions 114‑106 g/km),^[5] focused on delivering higher specific output in conjunction with lower exhaust gas emissions and reduced noise. To this end, turbocharging in particular was overhauled and now features electrically controllable turbo charger geometry and an engine-mounted water intercooler, valve assembly with reduced moving masses and the common rail injection system. Its intake manifold is now integrated into the cylinder head cover and the pressure of the common-rail injection system has been increased to 2000 bar (previously: 1600 bar).

The electro-magnetically controlled injectors with eight injection holes precisely control combustion by up to six injections per working cycle. Dual pre-injection in wide operating ranges and injector shaft seals reduce operating noise.

For low emissions the OM 608 is equipped with high and low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation. The compact exhaust aftertreatment system is near-engine mounted. Alongside the oxidation catalytic converter and the particulate filter, SCR catalytic converters with AdBlue^® metering are used for the first time in this engine class. The particulate filter also has an SCR coating. An AdBlue^® tank with a capacity of 23.8 litres ensures long refilling intervals for the OM 608 and OM 654q diesel variants, and has its own, externally accessible filler neck next to the diesel filler neck. This is in the tank flap directly beside the diesel tank nozzle..

The OM 608 is combined with the six-speed manual transmission or the 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission.

^[1] With 6-speed manual transmission, expected to be available from the third quarter of 2019

^[2] The stated figures are the measured “NEDC CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher value may be applied as a basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax.

^[3] The stated figures are the measured “NEDC CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher value may be applied as a basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax.

^[4] The stated figures are the measured “NEDC CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher value may be applied as a basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax.

^[5] The stated figures are the measured “NEDC CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher value may be applied as a basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax.

Technical data

Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 (6-speed manual transmission)

Engine

Power transfer

Suspension

Dimensions and weights

Performance and fuel consumption

Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 (7G-DCT)

Engine

Power transfer

Suspension

Dimensions and weights

Performance and fuel consumption

Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 (6-speed manual transmission)

Engine

Power transfer

Suspension

Dimensions and weights

Performance and fuel consumption

Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 (7G-DCT)

Engine

Power transfer

Suspension

Dimensions and weights

Performance and fuel consumption

Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 (7G-DCT)

Engine

Power transfer

Suspension

Dimensions and weights

Performance and fuel consumption

Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 (7G-DCT)

Engine

Power transfer

Suspension

Dimensions and weights

Performance and fuel consumption

Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 4MATIC (7G-DCT)

Engine

Power transfer

Suspension

Dimensions and weights

Performance and fuel consumption

Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 d (6-speed manual transmission)

Engine

Power transfer

Suspension

Dimensions and weights

Performance and fuel consumption

Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 d (7G-DCT)

Engine

Power transfer

Suspension

Dimensions and weights

Performance and fuel consumption

Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 d (8G-DCT)

Engine

Power transfer

Suspension

Dimensions and weights

Performance and fuel consumption

Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 d (8G-DCT)

Engine

Power transfer

Suspension

Dimensions and weights

Performance and fuel consumption

^[1] The stated figures are the measured “NEDC CO₂ figures” in accordance with Art. 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher value may be applied as a basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax.

^[2] The stated figures are the measured “NEDC CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher value may be applied as a basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax.

^[3] The stated figures are the measured “NEDC CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher value may be applied as a basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax.

^[4] The stated figures are the measured “NEDC CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher value may be applied as a basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax.

^[5] The stated figures are the measured “NEDC CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher value may be applied as a basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax.

^[6] The stated figures are the measured “NEDC CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher value may be applied as a basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax.

^[7] The stated figures are the measured “NEDC CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher value may be applied as a basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax.

^[8] The stated figures are the measured “NEDC CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher value may be applied as a basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax.

^[9] The stated figures are the measured “NEDC CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher value may be applied as a basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax.

^[10] The stated figures are the measured “NEDC CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher value may be applied as a basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax.

^[11] The stated figures are the measured “NEDC CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher value may be applied as a basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax.

SOURCE: Daimler AG