2013 Detroit Auto Show: India bound Mercedes–Benz CLA unveiled

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the 2014 India bound CLA sedan at 2013 Detroit Auto Show. Based on the German automaker’s MFA (Modular Front Architecture), it is a sedan version of the very successful A-Class hatchback. It will be one of the five models in Mercedes Benz’s sub Rs 25 lakh car range that will be launched in the country before 2015. 

From the pictures we can tell that the CLA shares many of its design cues with the A-Class like the floating dots grille, massively sculpted air intakes and chin spoiler that sits rather prominently in the front. Mercedes has really been working hard on giving the car clean sculpted lines and this is very evident on the side and in the back especially the rear bumper and the rather sharp looking boot lid. Mercedes has also said that the CLA has a drag coefficient of 0.23 which it claims is the lowest among any series production vehicle.  

The CLA shares most of its interiors with the A-Class although with a few changes to the trim to give it its own identity. The CLA will be offered with three petrol engines producing 122bhp (CLA 180) 156bhp (CLA 200) and 211bhp (CLA 250)( in the pictures) and one diesel mill which produces 170bhp (CLA 220 CDI). Power will be transmitted to the wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox and the (optional) 4matic four-wheel drive system.  It has also confirmed that an AMG version dubbed CLA 45 AMG (335bhp) will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September next year.