Picture caption: Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India at the launch of the new CLA-Class in New Delhi.
After much teasing and promising from Mercedes-Benz India, the CLA-Class at last arrives in India. Mercedes optimistically have priced it starting from Rs.31.50 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).The CLA-Class will be introduced in three variants: CLA 200 CDI Style priced at Rs.31.50 lakh, CLA 200 Sport priced at Rs. 35 lakh and CLA 200 CDI Sport priced at Rs. 35.90 lakh. (All prices ex-showroom Delhi). The CLA-Class was launched by Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India in New Delhi.
Kern commented, “With many segment benchmarks, we are convinced that the CLA will firmly make its mark in India. Its powerful design underscores the sporty side of the Mercedes-Benz brand. The CLA remains true to Mercedes-Benz's core values by setting new standards in aerodynamics and efficiency, yet carves out a niche with its thrilling design and cutting-edge technology. The CLA-Class is stylish, sporty and distinctive and one of the most beautifully designed products from the Mercedes-Benz portfolio. The CLA-Class has been a global success winning new customers for Mercedes-Benz and we aim to replicate this success in India.”
The baby sedan from Mercedes, the CLA first showed up on our doorstep in July 2014 in its AMG lunatic form. Read our review here. Now it’s here in a standard issue toned down version powered by two engines, both 2 litre-four cylinder, petrol and a turbo charged diesel engines. The naturally aspirated petrol engine produces 181bhp and 300Nm of torque. While the turbo charged diesel engine produces 134bhp and the same 300Nm of torque just a little higher in the rev-range but a fuel economy of 17.9kmpl. The CLA does 0-100 in just 7.8 seconds and maxes out at 235kmph. Both engines are mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission with options of Economy, Sport and Manual (with paddle shifters) to choose from. The suspension in the CLA is specially designed for India for improved comfort on Indian roads and a lifted ride height for better ground clearance. And a long wheel base of 2699mm for added legroom.
To achieve the fuel economy from the engine, the CLA has the lowest drag coefficient of any production car thanks to the aerodynamic design and shape of the car giving it bold positive and negative curves and lines around the car.
The interior is similar to what one would find in a standard A-class or the GLA-class. Some of the highlight features include a panoramic sunroof with rain sensors, an interior light and sight package which give the interior subtle lighting in the door sills, in the foot well, between the headrests of the front seats for example. The CLA is also standard fitted with Mercedes’ New Generation Multimedia System along with the Mercedes-Benz Radio App. For Navigation the Garmin Map PILOT comes in just a simple SD card which you can plug in and is compatible with the inbuilt infotainment system. In addition the car is equipped with a Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system and a reversing camera as standard which is engaged when reverse gear is selected by the driver.
In terms of safety, the CLA has a 5 star rating from Euro NCAP. Fitted with ABS, BAS, ESP, ASR and Hill Start Assist with six airbags and other restraint systems, it provides the best possible protection, all fitments are standard. The CLA also has a robust body shell structure with its rigid passenger cell also contributes to the high level of safety. Ease of repair was also taken into account during the development of the CLA. The body and detachable parts are designed for low susceptibility to damage and low repair costs.
Assistance systems such as ATTENTION ASSIST warn the driver when it detects signs of drowsiness in their steering behaviour while STEER CONTROL can assist the driver with corrective steering action in critical situations. Other systems like tyre pressure monitoring system are present to warn the driver of a puncture or loss of tyre pressure.
The pricing of the CLA are as follows:
Model
Engine
Price
CLA 200 CDI Style
2.0 Litre Turbo Diesel
Rs.31.50 lakhs
CLA 200 Sport
2.0 Litre Petrol
Rs.35.00 lakhs
CLA 200 CDI Sport
Rs.35.90 lakhs
*All prices are ex-showroom Delhi.
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