The wait is over: the new Mercedes-Benz CLA is now here in Singapore.
Now in its second generation, the new CLA-Class (called a coupe by Mercedes) is bigger and more powerful in sole CLA200 guise.
It’s now much more coupe-like than the previous generation, at some angles looking like the CLS-class.
What are my choices for the new CLA?
In Singapore, the new CLA is available in either the Progressive or AMG line.
Prices start from $181,888 for the Progressive trim, rising to $188,088 for the AMG line.
In Progressive trim, you get 18-inch light-alloy wheels, a leather-lined multifunction sport steering wheel and comfort seats with seat cushions adjustable for depth and angle and a 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat backrest.
Externally the Progressive line is also distinguishable by the visible exhaust tailpipes and the discreet chrome trim strip
on the front and rear aprons.
These two German automakers will jointly develop autonomous vehicles
The AMG line swaps out the standard 18-inchers for AMG ones, an AMG front apron, AMG rear apron and AMG side sill panels,
sports seats, multifunction sports steering wheel in nappa leather, light longitudinal-grain aluminium trim elements or black DINAMICA microfibre.
The AMG Line has the lowered comfort suspension.
An exclusive, one-year-only Edition 1 trim level is also available if you like some orange accents on your car.
The one-year-only Edition 1 with orange accents.
You get LED High-Performance headlamps, 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with orange-painted rim flanges, sport seats and the Night package with numerous trim elements in high-gloss black and orange highlights.
Inside, the Edition 1 has orange-coloured contrasting topstitching on the dashboard, sport seats, armrests, door panel waistlines and floor mats.
Ambient lighting with 64 colours is standard, and other special trim elements with “Edition 1” lettering add to the exclusivity.
Colour choices are polar white, night black, cosmos black, mountain grey and designo mountain grey magno.
Engine choices on the new CLA
All CLA200 trim levels get the same 1.33-litre, four-cylinder engine developing 163hp and 250Nm of torque.
Fuel consumption is now 17.5 km/litre (5.7l/100km) and acceleration from 0-100km/h is over in 8.2 seconds.
What else has changed?
With a lower coefficient of drag, the new CLA cuts cleaner through the air.
The redesign isn’t just cosmetic, either: the new CLA cuts cleaner through the air than before despite having a wider track.
The bigger interior should attract buyers looking for more practicality too.
Frontal headroom has increased by 17 mm and elbow room by 35 mm.
Thanks to a wider opening (+262 mm), the boot compartment is now more convenient to load than the predecessor model, although it shrinks by 1 litre.
The new CLA gets MB’s new MBUX infotainment setup with ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice control.
Inside, the new CLA also gets the latest Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) version with the ‘Hey Mercedes’ hotword.
For the first time, the new CLA is able to drive semi-autonomously in certain situations via the Driving Assistance Package.
