- The CLA-Class will enter into the second generation.
- Will get new design language earlier seen on the CLS-Class.
- It will be based on a new MFA platform with new MBUX system.
At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2019, Mercedes-Benz will officially take the covers off the new-gen CLA-Class. The CLA will be the fourth car in the German car line-up to adopt a new generation after the India-bound GLE-Class, A-Class hatch, and the recently-launched CLS-Class. Even the new-gen CLA will arrive at our shores sometime late in 2019.
The second-gen CLA will move to a new MFA platform. And since it will be debuting at CES and not at a conventional auto show, we can expect the CLA to pack a lot more technology we’d generally expect from an entry-level sedan. However, CLA is not Mercedes’ entry-level sedan anymore after the introduction of A-Class sedan. And as the tradition goes, many technologies – which were passed on from the flagship S-Class to the mid-level E-Class and C-Class – will trickle down in Mercedes’ baby sedan.
Appearance wise, the fascia is expected to get the same wide-gaping grille seen on the CLS. The horizontal louvres on the grille will be flanked by a sharper and triangulated pair of headlights with a single LED strip. The silhouette will retain the four-door-coupe line as can be seen in the single teaser image. However, a liftback tailgate is planned for the new CLA which can help it gain better practicality credentials. The tail lights will be similar to the design we have seen on the new-gen GLE and CLS.
On the inside, there will be a wide-floating screen integrated with Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system. Given that it debuted at the same CES stage in January 2018, the MBUX can get additional features this time around which aren’t currently available.
Under the hood will be the new range of downsized engine line-up. So we expect a range of four-cylinder petrol motors putting out between 150-250bhp. The oil burner will also be available as well where Mercedes still sells diesel engines. The transmission would be the new nine-speed automatic apart from the standard seven-speed unit. This is until the more potent CLA 45 is introduced with AMG tuned engine and aggressive styling. An affordable CLA 35 AMG is also on the cards.
After its reveal on 8 January, the new-gen Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class will go on sale in select international markets by the middle of next year. We expect it to reach our shores in the last quarter of 2019 as a part of Mercedes’ model offensive which consists of at least five cars such as the new-gen GLE, A-Class, and few AMG models.
