0 The new Mercedes Benz CLA Edition 1: Exclusivity from the very beginning

The "CLA Edition 1" will only be available for twelve months. The model, which can be combined with any engine, has exclusive equipment which includes amongst other things the NEON ART interior with upholstery in leather and black microfibre DINAMICA with yellow contrasting topstitching. The Edition 1 can be ordered immediately at a starting price of 35,402.50 euros (CLA 180 Edition 1).

With the CLA-Class, Mercedes-Benz continues its series of extraordinary Edition 1 special models. Limited to one year after its launch, the Edition 1 combines special equipment which highlights the sportiness and exclusivity of the four-door coupé. This includes paintwork in either mountain grey, cosmos black, night black, cirrus white or designo polar silver magno (expected to be available from the third quarter of 2013). AMG front and rear aprons as well as side sill panels in combination with the black painted multi-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels provide for a powerful appearance. The diamond radiator grille boasts a black fin and chrome inserts. Bi-xenon headlamps are standard as too is the lowered sports suspension.

The NEON ART interior is exclusive to this special model. The sports seats are upholstered in leather and black microfibre DINAMICA whilst yellow stitching creates a very special contrast. The instrument panel and the beltlines are in ARTICO man-made leather with yellow stitching in a wrap-around look. Trim elements in aluminium with a light longitudinal grain and a 3-spoke multifunction sports steering wheel in nappa leather with a flattened bottom section and perforations in the grip area complete the dynamic appearance.

An overview of prices and models:

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Detail: The new Mercedes Benz CLA Edition 1: Exclusivity from the very beginning

0 New CLA 45 AMG to be premiered during private event at NYIAS 2013

An announcement on the official Facebook page of Mercedes-Benz USA ( https://www.facebook.com/mercedesbenzusa/ ) signals the new CLA 45 AMG high-performance four-door coupe is about to make its official debut during a private night event at the New York International Auto Show 2013 kicking off 27th March.

If visitors complete the online form in the dedicated application, they can win chance to see the new model engineered in Affalterbach in person during the special Mercedes-Benz AMG Preview Night - the special trip also includes further advantages, as tickets for the salon, a 3-day hotel accomodation, a spending budget and round-trip airplane/auto transportation to the site.

However, given these coordinates, the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG (C 117) will skip the public show at New York, as the global premiere is scheduled for the IAA Frankfurt 2013 in September. Sales of the new model will start worldwide this autumn, at a baseline price located just under €40,000 / $54,000. In the mean time, CLA's brother, the A 45 AMG boasting 354 hp, 450 Nm and Performance 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system will be officially introduced at Geneva, in less than a month. Market release for the W 176 sports variant is planned for summer 2013.

Find out more details --> https://www.facebook.com/mercedesbenzusa/app_457670514281673 !

Note: Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 EDITION 1 pictured.

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Detail: New CLA 45 AMG to be premiered during private event at NYIAS 2013

0 REPORT: Mercedes-Benz readying new versions for the A-Class and CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz is reportedly mulling over two new variants to expand its premium compact class portfolio. The attention is focused towards the flagships of the lineup, the A-Class (W 176) and the CLA-Class (C 117), which are said to receive new additions in about two years.

With striking visual elements and intelligent technologies, the A-Class and CLA are just the right models to build up on a consistent range of compact vehicles. First to come is the new A-Class 3-door hatchback (C 176), expected to debut in early 2014 - apart from the number of doors, the model will not be aesthetically different compared to its 5-door sibling.

Towards the end of 2014, Mercedes-Benz will add a new iteration in the CLA family - the Shooting Brake variant. Internally codenamed X 117, the future CLA Shooting Brake follows the trail of the bigger CLS Shooting Brake and proposes the same, stylish coupe form enclosed in a practical 5-door body. The new Merc will also be optionally available with the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system - the CLA 45 AMG SB boasting 354 hp will also be unveiled shortly after the launch of the standard-spec model.

During 2015, Mercedes-Benz will reveal the all new A-Class Cabriolet. The need for an open-top compact car is obvious given the competition already has similar models in the same segment. The so-dubbed A 176 model will feature an electrically retractable soft roof, to save important kilos, and a uniquely styled rear end to meet the new top-less architecture of the vehicle. Chances are an A 45 AMG Cabriolet version will also arrive as we approach 2016.

A last-minute report claims Mercedes-Benz will preview its upcoming GLA-Class urban crossover this year in April, at the Auto Shanghai motor show. Like the Concept A-Class and Concept Style Coupe, the presumed Concept GLA-Class will display an attractive progressive styling visibly close to the series production model.

Image Credits: stern.de / Theophilus Chin

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Detail: REPORT: Mercedes-Benz readying new versions for the A-Class and CLA-Class

0 First Mercedes-Benz CLA Rolls off the Production Line at the Kecskemét plant in Hungary

Less than ten months after the opening of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Kecskemét, the location has reached the next milestone. With the official start of production of the Mercedes-Benz CLA, the first model exclusively built in Kecskemét is now rolling off the production line as the plant's second product along with the B-Class. On this occasion, plant manager Frank Klein took special pleasure in welcoming Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orbán and Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Daimler Board of Management and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, who both had also attended the plant's grand opening in March 2012.

In his speech, Dr. Dieter Zetsche explained the background of the product decision: "The CLA is based on the Concept Style Coupe, which we introduced last year. The most frequent comment by far was 'Please put this car into series production.' That's precisely what we are doing now." With respect to the excellent performance of the Kecskemét plant's team, Zetsche said: "More than 40.000 B-Class vehicles built here prove that you know how to build great cars. You are doing a first-class job here at the plant." Zetsche also expressed the company's special thanks to all Hungarian partners in the political, administrative and social areas for the continuous, constructive partnership: "We're on a good way to reach our common goal – Kecskemét is developing as a center of the Hungarian automotive industry."

Plant manager Frank Klein added: "The plant's entire team can't wait to get the CLA to our customers as perfectly as the B-Class cars we build in Kecskemét. We aim to follow up seamlessly on what we achieved in our first, very successful production year of 2012." Last year, the Kecskemét plant had reached the first goal to produce more than 40.000 vehicles as planned, thus making an important contribution to the B-Class' best-ever annual sales (worldwide sales of 145,649 units, more than 11 percent over the previous sales record in 2006).

About the Mercedes-Benz Kecskemét plant

The Kecskemét plant and the Rastatt plant together form the production network for the new generation of Mercedes-Benz compact cars. That network significantly contributes to the overall economies of compact car production and allows the flexible and optimum management of both plant's capacity utilization. The Kecskemét plant was opened in March 2012, less than four years after the initial decision for the location, and has since produced the B-Class, which is also built in Rastatt. State-of-the-art, environmentally sound technology is used at the plant. In the meantime, the number of staff has grown from about 2,500 to more than 3,000, in line with the further development of the plant and the preparations for production of the CLA. The plant is the most attractive employer in the region, not least to due to the high attention given to the qualification of its employees. The pioneering efforts of the plant and its Hungarian partners to establish dual vocational and university education based on the German model further contribute to this. Daimler AG and the Hungarian Government in 2012 also signed a joint partnership agreement to establish and reinforce the region of Kecskemét as a center of the Hungarian automobile industry on a long-term basis.

About the Mercedes-Benz CLA

The CLA is set to establish a new segment, with world-leading aerodynamics (Cd = 0.22), avant-garde coupé design and 4MATIC all‑wheel drive (optional). As a new four-door coupé it follows the idea of the CLS, whose design concept has spawned more than its fair share of imitators since its debut in 2003. With its frameless doors, the coupé adopts the design of the Concept Style Coupé into series production.

The newcomer features a radar-based braking system (COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST) as standard which is able to warn the driver of an obstacle from a speed of 7 km/h and to initiate precision braking when the driver steps on the brake pedal. The new CLA is available for ordering with immediate effect and will be delivered to dealerships beginning in April.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Detail: First Mercedes-Benz CLA Rolls off the Production Line at the Kecskemét plant in Hungary

0 Spotted: The New Mercedes-Benz CLA in its First Starring Role

While the official public debut of the much-anticipated Mercedes-Benz CLA four-door coupe is still nearly two months away, the vehicle has been spotted at red carpet premiers, racing alongside Formula One cars, and doing the club scene. The CLA, a seductive and dynamic new coupe which will create a new entry point for the Mercedes-Benz brand, is the centerpiece of a new 60-second ad that will debut in the fourth quarter of the year's biggest night in television advertising: Super Bowl XLVII.

The ad, which was created by Merkley+Partners (NYC), is a tongue-in-cheek depiction of how far a person might go to get their heart's desire and what shape the "good life" might take. Filmed in part on location in New Orleans, MBUSA went full throttle with star power including Kate Upton and Usher playing themselves. But the commercial is more than just glitz, glamour and the unveiling of the CLA. It's another example of the company's ties to the city.

Long before purchasing the naming rights for the "Mercedes-Benz Superdome," which will be the site of this year's game, the company had been a supporter of the community. In October 2010, 180 employees from across the country spent more than three hours planting 125 trees to help restore some of what was lost to Hurricane Katrina. This year, as part of their $1.3 million national-commitment to Laureus USA, MBUSA joined with Laureus and Coaches Across America in New Orleans to train and place 26 coaches in 11 local after-school sports programs with a goal of providing safe afterschool activities for area youth.

In addition to setting its ad in New Orleans, MBUSA will have a series of onsite activations in the city on the day of the game. In the weeks ahead, the company will roll out a robust social media campaign, complementing the ad while building awareness and engagement prior to the arrival of the CLA in the Fall.

The company expects the CLA to bring in new buyers with an unexpected price point for the brand and a highly stylized, sporty design. Among its notable features is a dynamic on-board connectivity package allowing access to popular social media sites.

The CLA will make brief appearances at select events over the next few weeks leading up to its official world premiere at the Geneva Auto Show in March 2013.

Credits: Mercedes-Benz USA

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Detail: Spotted: The New Mercedes-Benz CLA in its First Starring Role

0 The new CLA-Class: Official Trailer & Footage Video

HIT PLAY AND ENJOY WATCHING!

Video Credits: Daimler AG /cms-GOMEX™

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Detail: The new CLA-Class: Official Trailer & Footage Video

0 The new Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class establishes new segment: Sleek as they come

The CLA is set to establish a new segment, with world-leading aerodynamics (Cd = 0.22), avant-garde coupé design and 4MATIC all‑wheel drive (optional). As a new four-door coupé it follows the idea of the CLS, whose design concept has spawned more than its fair share of imitators since its debut in 2003. With its frameless doors, the coupé adopts the design of the Concept Style Coupé into series production. The newcomer features a radar-based braking system (COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST) as standard which is able to warn the driver of an obstacle from a speed of 7 km/h and to initiate precision braking when the driver steps on the brake pedal. The new CLA is available for ordering with immediate effect and will be delivered to dealerships in April. Prices begin at 28,977 euros for the CLA 180.

"The response to the Concept Style Coupé was overwhelming. The most frequent comment by far was 'Please put this car into series production.' That's precisely what we are doing now," notes Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management at Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. "The CLA is a car that does not confuse 'middle range' with 'middling quality'. Its sporty design underscores the sporty side of the Mercedes-Benz brand."

In keeping with its sporty positioning, the CLA is available with high-torque turbo engines rated at up to 155 kW (211 hp), sports suspension and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The technical highlights of this new design icon include a new world record in aerodynamics for series production automobiles (Cd value: 0.22) and numerous driving assistance systems, including advanced COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST.

This radar-based assistance system provides the possibly distracted driver with visual and acoustic warnings of identified obstacles and prepares Brake Assist for precision braking. Braking is initiated as soon as the driver steps emphatically on the brake pedal. When an impending danger of collision is identified, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST calculates the precise braking force ideally needed to avoid an accident and makes the best possible use of any distance remaining. As a new feature, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST affords protection from typical rear-end collisions in dangerous traffic situations in the CLA from a speed of only 7 km/h (previously: over 30 km/h).

Five lines and packages which vary greatly in character are available to individualise the striking compact mid-range coupé (length/width/height: 4630/1777/1437 millimetres). In keeping with the digital lifestyle of the CLA's social media-savvy target group, smartphones can additionally be fully integrated into the vehicle's display and operating system.

Following a brief appearance on the eve of the NAIAS in Detroit (14 to 27 January 2013), the CLA will have its official world premiere at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin (15 to 18 January 2013). The new CLA is available for ordering with immediate effect and will be delivered to dealerships in April.

The style rebel: exterior design

Its breathtakingly sporty proportions and powerfully dynamic design idiom featuring an interplay between concave and convex surfaces give this four-door coupé its unmistakable look. The CLA adopts the avant-garde design of the Concept Style Coupé into series production almost 1:1.

The vehicle's striking features include the bonnet embedded in the front end with powerdomes and the diamond radiator grille. The light modules and LEDs behind the headlamp cover glass have been arranged in such a way as to create the characteristic "flare effect" for the daytime driving lights and indicators. This light signet defines the car's energetic appearance and shapes a new, youthful Mercedes face.

Numerous details indicate that on a design level the CLA represents a further development of the modern classic Mercedes-Benz CLS. Three prominent lines give structure to the vehicle when viewed from the side: the front structural edge over the wings flows towards the rear end in a characteristic dropping line. Another, more sinewy line spans the shoulder muscle above the rear axle, while the third feature line extends in a sweeping curve from the front wheel towards the rear. Together, these lines lend depth and dynamism to the side profile.

The width-emphasizing rear end exudes power and athleticism, featuring an interplay betweeconvex and concave surfaces and edges. The gently sloping roof contour and the pronounced, hallmark curvature of the rear window provide the CLA with a coupé-style character from the rear, too. The athletic impression from the rear results from the drawn-in C-pillars in conjunction with the shoulder muscle over the rear wheel arch linings. The tail lights are framed by the muscular lines of the shoulders which extend into the rear end, the horizontal orientation of the lights emphasizing the rear's powerful and aesthetic breadth. The light functions feature an arrow-style arrangement.

A large panoramic sliding sunroof is optionally available. This sunroof consists of a fixed polycarbonate cover at the front, a moving element made of mineral crystal and side trims to match the glass look. As such, the glass surface then extends from the front windscreen to the rear window.

"Cool touch" effect: the interior

The exterior's progressive, sporty appearance is continued inside the vehicle. The interior additionally derives a very special quality feel from the design idiom, the selection of high-quality materials and the available combinations of materials. All trim surfaces are galvanised, resulting in a metallic finish.

The instrument panel incorporates five round vents. The outer rings of the round vents have a high-quality electroplated finish. The airflow direction is governed by a galvanised insert that reveals a meticulous attention to detail. The free-standing display screen features a black piano-lacquer-look front panel and a flush-fitting silver frame.

The CLA is fitted with integral seats in the front and rear, underscoring its sporty character. The rear bench seat emphasizes the outer seats (2+1-seater). Coloured contrasting stitching is available, according to the selected interior appointment options. A fibre-optic cable in the opening between head restraint and backrest is optionally available as part of the ambient lighting.

Sleek as they come: new record Cd value

With a Cd value of 0.23, the CLA sets a new benchmark – both within the Mercedes-Benz model range and among all production vehicles. The drag area, Cd x A -which is crucial to aerodynamic resistance – also leads the field, at 0.51 m². This already record figure is undercut still further by the CLA 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Edition, which will be launched in June and is also available to order with immediate effect. In this case the Cd figure is 0.22, while in terms of wind resistance the four-door coupé manages to breach another magic barrier: the figure here is just 0.49 m².

The good air flow characteristics, which are a major contributory factor to the vehicle's low fuel consumption in everyday conditions, result from numerous aerodynamic optimisation measures. These include a low A-pillar shoulder with adapted A-pillar geometry, aerodynamically optimised exterior mirrors, wheel trims designed for low aerodynamic drag and serrated wheel spoilers on the front and rear wheel arches.

Extensive underbody panelling, additional panelling in the middle area of the rear axle and an aerodynamically optimised rear silencer followed by a diffusor improve the flow of air under the underbody.

Smart safety: advanced assistance systems

Numerous driving assistance systems offer support in the CLA and reduce the driver's workload. Standard-fit features for the coupé include ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection and radar-based COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST with adaptive Brake Assist, which now helps to protect the CLA from collisions from a speed of only 7 km/h (previously: over 30 km/h).

This feature combines with DISTRONIC PLUS to become COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, incorporating an additional function: when a danger of collision persists and the driver fails to respond, the system is able to carry out autonomous braking at speeds of up to 200 km/h, thereby reducing the severity of collisions with slow or stationary vehicles. The system also brakes in response to stationary vehicles at a speed of up to 30 km/hand is able to prevent rear-end collisions at speeds of up to 20 km/h.

Established assistance systems, such as the Lane Tracking package with Blind Spot and Lane Keeping Assist or Adaptive Highbeam Assist, are also available for the CLA. Active Parking Assist (option) enables automatic parking in lengthways and crossways parking spaces.

Designed for dynamism: the chassis and suspension

The chassis of the CLA features a McPherson front axle and an independent multilink rear suspension, featuring three control arms and one trailing arm per wheel. This means that longitudinal and lateral dynamics are virtually independent of one another. A CLA-specific feature is the flexible decoupling of the rear axle carrier, which benefits ride comfort. Wheel carriers and spring links consist of aluminium, in order to reduce the unsprung masses. Two chassis and suspension set-ups are available: the comfort suspension and the optional sports suspension for sporty yet comfortable handling. The latter entails lowering of the body by 20 mm (front) and 15 mm (rear).

Irrespective of the selected chassis, all CLA variants come with the Direct Steer system. This electromechanical power steering offers improved feedback to the driver in comparison to conventional systems regarding the prevailing driving conditions and makes an important contribution towards overall efficiency, as the steering assist function only requires energy when steering is actually carried out. It additionally enables various steering assistance functions which are activated by the ESP® control unit. These include countersteering in case of oversteering, corrective steering when braking on road surfaces offering different levels of grip (split-friction braking), mitigation of the extent to which the front-wheel drive influences the steering and compensation of crosswind and road gradients.

High tractive power reserves and outstanding agility: 4MATIC all-wheel drive

The CLA from Mercedes-Benz is optionally available with a new generation of the 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system featuring fully variable torque distribution. Similarly to the other 4MATIC versions, this completely new development boasts high tractive power reserves and outstanding agility combined with superlative driving safety and energy efficiency.

The components of the new 4MATIC include the power take-off to the rear axle which is integrated in the 7G-DCT automated dual clutch transmission and the rear-axle gear with integrated, electrohydraulically controlled multi-disk clutch. This set-up enables fully variable distribution of the drive torque between front and rear axle. Additional benefits of this design are a lower system weight than is available from the competition and high efficiency.

All set for the future: powerful and efficient drive

A year ahead of the scheduled introduction of the Euro 6 in 2014, all petrol-engine variants and the top diesel variant of the new Mercedes-Benz CLA already meet the future requirements of this European emissions standard.

The petrol engines with a displacement of 1.6 and 2.0 litres cover an output spectrum ranging from 90 kW (122 hp) in the CLA 180 through 115 kW (156 hp) in the CLA 200 to 155 kW (211 hp) in the CLA 250. The two diesel engines combine dynamic low-end torque with the utmost efficiency: the CLA 200 CDI generates 100 kW (136 hp), with maximum torque of 300 Nm (available from the 3rd quarter of 2013). With a cubic capacity of 2.2 litres, the CLA 220 CDI will offer an output of 125 kW (170 hp) and 350 Nm of torque, emitting only 109 g CO2 per kilometre.

All the engines feature the ECO start/stop function as standard. The engines are combined with a six-speed manual transmission or with the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission, which reconciles comfort and sportiness in inimitable fashion.

An overview of the models and prices:

"Always on": the multimedia systems

The latest multimedia generation deployed in the CLA boasts new functions, additional apps and a modified graphic colour scheme.

Daimler's Digital Drive Style app concept, which together with the Drive Kit Plus for the iPhone® enables seamless integration of the iPhone® into the vehicle, has been extended. The highlights include Siri voice control and Glympse real-time location sharing. Glympse enables the user to share his or her current location with selected persons. Other functions are Facebook®, Twitter®, internet radio, AUPEO!™ Personal Radio and the advanced navigation solution from Garmin® with web-based real-time traffic information, online special destination search including Street View™ and 3D map display.

The COMAND Online multimedia system has also been extended. The latest generation offers improved, photo-realistic map display, an additional Bluetooth® profile (to enable the internet to be accessed by iPhone®, for example), the display of images additionally in bmp and png formats and the real-time transfer of traffic data.

The Mercedes-Benz management on the CLA - "The style rebel"

"We are adopting the expressive design of the Concept Style Coupé 1:1 into series production. With its unique design idiom, I am convinced that the CLA will firmly make its mark on the image of the Mercedes-Benz brand."
Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management at Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars

"Serially avant-garde – and yet the CLA remains true to Mercedes-Benz's core values by setting new standards in aerodynamics, efficiency and driving assistance systems, for example."
Prof Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Daimler Board of Management, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development

"We aim to reach new target groups with the CLA – including those who never intended driving a Mercedes."
Dr Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Mercedes-Benz Cars, Sales and Marketing

"The dynamic design idiom is manifested in breath-taking proportions, muscular, flowing contours and sculptural surfaces. The CLA is a style rebel."
Gorden Wagener, Head of Design, Mercedes-Benz Cars

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Detail: The new Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class establishes new segment: Sleek as they come