Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class : Aerodynamics, Styling, 4MATIC, Tech Specs

Mercedes-Benz will unveil the new CLA-Class just ahead of the 2013 NAIAS at Detroit, a four door coupe following in the steps of the Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupe. The most aerodynamic car in the Mercedes-Benz range as well as among other production vehicles, it has a world leading drag coefficient of 0.22 The CLA will also have optional 4MATIC all‑wheel drive. Frameless doors make it to production from the design of the Concept Style Coupé. Mercedes-Benz boasts of a radar-based braking system (COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST) available as standard on the CLA-Class. Riot Engine takes a look at the styling and tech of the CLA Class in this Design & Tech article.

Previewed to us as the Concept Style Coupe, most of the design features have made into the production CLA-Class. The muscular bonnet and the diamong grille we’ve seen on the A-Class previously combined with the now legendary coupe profile of this Merc define the CLA-Class.

There are three signature lines that can be viewed on the profile of the CLA. The first line starts from the front fender and drops gracefully towards the rear. A second line ‘spans the shoulder muscle’ from the rear towards the centre of the car while the last feature line extends in a sweeping curve from the front wheel towards the rear. Mercedes-Benz says that together these lines lend depth and dynamism to the side profile.

While we’ve seen a recent trend in the design language of the three big German brands which is to emphasize the width of the car using plain horizontal design elements at the rear, the CLA has to do the same with signature CLS lines which are anything but horizontal. The gently sloping roof contour and the strong curvature of the rear window provide the CLA with a coupé-style character from the rear. The tail lights are framed by the muscular lines of the shoulders which extend into the rear end. Mercedes-Benz says the horizontal orientation of the lights are used to impress upon the rear’s powerful and aesthetic breadth.

The cool sunroof is optional and consists of a fixed polycarbonate cover at the front, a moving element made of mineral crystal and side trims to match the glass look.

As you would expect, a selection of high-quality materials take their place in the interiors of the CLA-Class. All trim surfaces are galvanised, resulting in a metallic finish. The instrument panel incorporates five round vents. First seen on the SLS AMG, the round vents have a high-quality electroplated finish on their outer rings. The free-standing display screen features a black piano-lacquer-look front panel and a flush-fitting silver frame. A fibre-optic cable can be had in the opening between head restraint and backrest as part of the ambient lighting.

As mentioned earlier, the CLA-Class is the world’s most aerodynamically efficient production vehicle. The CLA currently has a drag coefficient of 0.23 and a drag area of 0.51m² and with the CLA 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Edition to be launched in June, the numbers drop to 0.22 and 0.49m²! Mercedes-Benz says these magic numbers are courtesy of the new low A-pillar shoulder, aerodynamic outside rear view mirrors and serrated wheel spoilers on the front and rear wheel arches. Whew. Extensive underbody panelling, additional panelling in the middle area of the rear axle and an aerodynamically optimised rear silencer and a diffuser improve the flow of air under the underbody.

In addition to the usual McPherson front axle and an independent multilink rear suspension, the CLA also has flexible decoupling of the rear axle carrier which improves ride quality. Wheel carriers and spring links are made of aluminium to reduce unprusng mass. Standard is the comfort suspension and you also have optional sports suspension which lowers body by 20 mm up front and 15mm at the rear.

In addition to the CLA 220 CDI mentioned in the table above, there’s also a C200 CDI which completes the diesel range in the CLA Class. The C200 CDI makes 136hp with maximum torque of 300 Nm. The CLA 220 CDI with its 2.2 litre engine makes around 170 hp and 350 Nm of torque, emitting only 109 g CO2 per kilometre.

Petrol engine options include the 1.6 and 2.0 litre engines. The CLA 180 makes 122hp, CLA 200 makes 156 hp and finally the CLA 250 makes 211 hp. Also available on the CLA is the 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system featuring fully variable torque distribution.

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. Worthy of a mention is the fact that all these engines meet Euro 6 standards, which are yet to be introduced in 2014.

The new CLA is available for ordering with immediate effect and will be delivered to dealerships in April. The CLA C200 CDI variant is alone available only from the 3rd quarter of 2013.