CLA Topic Hub

2017 Mercedes-Benz Concept A – Debuts Fresh Design in Shanghai

This new Mercedes-Benz concept feels a bit disingenuous. On the one hand, we have a clear look at the next CLA-Class compact sedan. But on the other, we have a heavy-handed effort to link this piglet with the 4-door AMG GT Concept. Aka, the full hog. AMG GT CONCEPT Actually, we take most of that back. The look of this Concept A is endlessly charming. Its new LeMans-type grille with vertical slats meets ultra slimline LED headlights. Wide intakes below leave no doubt as to how turbocharged and speedy MB’s always are. Could the LEDs up front be even …

Keep reading

Apr 18, 2017 Read more

Update1 – 2016 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 Shooting Brake Shuns LA Debut; USA-Bound?

Updated 12.4.14 with 22 new photos. As you may or may not have noticed, Mercedes and BMW seem to have given the LA show this week a big middle finger. Neither revealed anything significant (Maybach S600 aside) and have both been relatively quiet on the overall announcement front. Detroit and New York are generally the German’s favorite North American shows to make a splash – but here is one curio. The CLA45 AMG Shooting Brake revealed online just moments ago. Would this car not have made a good Los Angeles debut? If it were coming to the US, it …

Keep reading

Dec 04, 2014 Read more

2016 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 Shooting Brake Shuns LA Debut, But Likely in US By Fall 2015

As you may or may not have noticed, Mercedes and BMW seem to have given the LA show this week a big middle finger. Neither revealed anything significant (Maybach S600 aside) and have both been relatively quiet on the overall announcement front. Detroit and New York are generally the German’s favorite North American shows to make a splash – but here is one curio. The CLA45 AMG Shooting Brake revealed online just moments ago. Would this car not have made a good Los Angeles debut? If it were coming to the US, it would have indeed. But we believe the …

Keep reading

Nov 25, 2014 Read more

2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Shooting Brake Revealed – Only for Euro Markets?

Just for Euro markets? We do not know that for sure at this point – and we give the CLA250 Shooting Brake a 50/50 chance of being sold here in the US as well. The fifth member of the new Mercedes compact range, after the GLA-Class, A-Class, CLA-Class and B-Class, the new Shooting Brake promises a huge leap in rear-seat headroom, plus all the versatility of a wagon’s fold-down seats. There is no doubting how amazing the car looks – with the surfboard scallop shape in the door panels mirrored very nicely by the low and arcing roofline. It is …

Keep reading

Nov 25, 2014 Read more

Building My 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 – Buyers Guide to Colors, Wheels and Must-Have Options

If you only read this one sentence– there are only two major CLA250 options you need to check to make your new Merc (said as: ‘Merk’) the coolest kid on the block: — Sport pack: $2,200 – New sills, front and rear bumpers, and overall styling enhancement versus the standard car — Bi-xenon + LED pack: $850 – Halogen headlights? No thanks! These also bring cool LED accents front and back. The CLA250 is fresh off the boats this year, and looks amazing in the flesh. It really does. With a $29,900 price attached for the base models, …

Keep reading

Apr 23, 2014 Read more

2014 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG and S63 AMG – Jaw-Droppingly Posh in 40 Real-Life Photos

2014 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG and S63 AMG The 2015 S-Class is set to be a giant leap over the uncomfortably-compromised BMW 750iL and the ungainly 2014 (and 2015) Audi A8 models. Sidebar: What is up with the 7 series and A8 these days? The old kings are both fuddy-duddy specials lately, one might say. — The BMW drives like an Avalon Hybrid with roid-rage, while the A8 is simply tiny in the back seat and trunk by most real-world measures. — I do not have the stats at hand, but know for a fact the Chevrolet Impala’s legroom, headroom, shoulder …

Keep reading

Mar 10, 2014 Read more

Race Start Video: 2014 CLA45 AMG Shows Impressive Launch Drama + 4.5s to 60mph

Mercedes-Benz is evolving its marketing and product positioning drastically. Executive rumblings from a few years ago indicated the brand was making serious changes to lower its perceived demographic – but it all just seemed like lip service at the time. Well, the arrival of the CLA-Class surely confirms that they were very serious. Serious… about getting playful. The CLA is launching in the American market as the front-drive CLA250 and the all-wheel-drive CLA45 AMG. Both run a highly advanced new platform, engine, transmission and electronic architecture. What perhaps previously took 0.002 milliseconds to transfer info from rear ABS sensors on …

Keep reading

Jan 03, 2014 Read more