Mercedes-Benz CLA and Shooting Brake updated for 2016
Mercedes' sleek compact saloon and estate enjoy a host of revisions to increase their appeal
Following on from the refreshed Mercedes-Benz A-class, both the CLA and CLA Shooting Brake have now been updated with a range of small improvements and a subtle facelift.
The saloon and estate variants of the A-class get lightly redesigned bumpers front and rear, enlivened by a silver, black or chrome trim strip, a new diamond radiator grille design in black, and new alloy wheels and a new paintwork finish, cavansite blue metallic.
Inside, Mercedes has redesigned the cabin’s media display centerpiece, which is now slimmer, with an 8-inch display. Some minor switches have been reworked and a range of new finishes is available, including sahara beige leather upholstery, and white or blue highlights for models with the new Urban equipment line.
The engine range is largely unchanged, though a new CLA 180d BlueEfficiency Edition joins the range boasting ultra-low CO2 emissions of 89g/km in the CLA and 94g/km for the Shooting Brake. Official fuel economy of 80.7mpg and 78.5mpg also impresses, though keen drivers may be dissuaded by the 107bhp maximum power output.
Those unconvinced by diesel in general might opt for the CLA 180 BlueEfficiency Edition (121bhp, 126g/km, 51.4mpg) available in Shooting Brake form for the first time, while buyers in need of all-wheel drive can now have such a thing on the CLA 220d.
Both CLA 45 and CLA 45 Shooting brake retain the existing 375bhp four-cylinder turbocharged engine, allowing the former to reach 62mph in 4.2sec and the latter in 4.3sec.
LED High Performance headlights – optional through the rest of the range – are now standard on AMG models. The cars’ coefficient of drag has been reduced, while bumpers front and rear have been subtly redesigned, the rear getting a new diffuser insert. An AMG Aerodynamics package is also available, adding a deeper front splitter, side blades and a spoiler lip at the back.
AMGs also get redesigned alloy wheels – 18-inch as standard and 19-inches as an optin – with matt black or titanium finishes. Interior changes include Artico artificial leather trim, liberal use of AMG logos and a matt printed finish to the dashboard trim elements.
Order books open in April with deliveries beginning in July. Pricing will follow- but we’ll see the finished article at the New York auto show later this month.
