Mercedes-Benz will officially reveal the new-gen CLA-Class at the 2019 CES tomorrow. The CLA was the entry-level sedan for the German carmaker before the new A-Class arrived and now it will be entering into its second generation. A reveal at the CES means the CLA will be festooned with high tech features to make it furthermore desirable than the older car. So let us have a look at all that we expect to see from the India-bound 2019 CLA-Class.
Distinct design:
Although we have only seen the CLA in teasers, we know that the baby four-door coupe will adopt a new-styling distinct to the one seen on the elder sibling, the CLS. The fascia gets the same wide-gaping grille seen on the CLS, but the headlamps have a new lighting signature with a single strip of LED daytime-running-light as seen in the teaser. The silhouette retains the characteristic four-door-coupe line. However, a liftback tailgate is planned for the new CLA which can help it gain better practicality credentials. The tail lights get an all-new signature with 3D LEDs making it appear futuristic. The Edition 1 will get a special paint scheme along with contrasting highlights all around the car. Multispoke alloy wheels are also part of the package for the Edition 1, but a standard CLA might get newer design wheels too.
New MFA platform:
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 that we don’t generally expect from a sedan in that segment. 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’ new CLA.
Feature-laden cabin:
On the inside, there is a wide-floating screen integrated with Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system. The MBUX is the most advanced infotainment system from Mercedes to date with active driver’s interaction. The wide-screen display which debuted on the S-Class a few years back is present in the new CLA. The multifunction steering wheel gets aluminium inserts and the jet-fighter style air-vents looks the part inside the modern cabin. Mercedes-Benz has also teased an ‘automatic dome light’ which turns on/off with the driver’s hand gestures. Another feature the CLA comes with is the Energizing Package, which lets the driver connect a smartwatch with the car.
Powertrain:
Under the hood of the new-gen CLA 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 in markets 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 putting out around 400bhp. However, an affordable CLA 35 AMG is also on its way similar to the A35 hot hatch.
India-debut:
After the official reveal the CES, Mercedes-Benz is expected to put the new-gen CLA on the highways in the international markets by the middle of this year. So we can expect the Indian-debut to happen either in late-2019 or early next year. The new CLA will be part of Mercedes’ model offensive which consists of at least five cars such as the new-gen GLE, A-Class, GLC facelift, B-Class, all-new GLB and few AMG models.
