The Mercedes-Benz CLA was perceived right from the beginning as a potential market grabber. The coupe styled luxury sedan was first showcased at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. A few months post the US launch, the CLA has turned up to be the most successful launch by the German company in America. So much so that Mercedes-Benz claims it to be their best launch in the last 20 years. The Kecskemet plant in Hungary which handles the CLA production is running to its full capacity and yet demand seems difficult to meet.
The Mercedes CLA was also targeted at a much younger class of buyers. The design is extremely aerodynamic, sporting a sleek look with curvy lines flowing all over the body and featuring AMG-inspired interiors. Most importantly, the CLA sedan was also priced economically (in the luxury segment) targeting younger buyers. The CLA sedan is the most affordable Mercedes-Benz in the US. Sensing the high demand, Mercedes predicts it will only be by June 2014 that they will be able to bridge the demand-supply gap.
The Mercedes CLA250 features a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine which peaks power at 208 BHP with 350 Nm of torque. The CLA220 CDI features a 2.2-litre diesel engine with a maximum power output of 168 BHP and 350 Nm of torque. The AMG version, CLA45 will have under its hood, a highly tuned 2.0-litre, four cylinder engine which tops power at 355 BHP with a maximum twist of 450 Nm. The Mercedes CLA sedan is also among the much awaited cars in India. The CLA sedan bears a starting price of Rs. 17 lakhs in the US which in India will start from around Rs. 30 lakhs.
