The most significant updates to the 2017 CLA45 are designed to improve aerodynamics.
It can be risky to mess with success, and few models in Mercedes-Benz history have come out of the gate faster than the compact CLA. But in today’s competitive luxury market, it can be even more of a risk to rest on your laurels for too long.
So, the German maker is taking steps to enhance the CLA and sportier Mercedes-AMG for 2017 without starting all over again. Think of it as a subtle facelift, rather than a full makeover.
“For the 2017 model year, the sporty, expressive design of the CLA is now further honed,” says Mercedes, with “new front and rear bumpers as well as new light-alloy wheel designs.” The CLA45, meanwhile, “now features even more dynamic styling and a further upgraded interior.”
First seen at the 2013 North American International Auto Show, the CLA caught fire with younger buyers on a budget. Introduced as a 2014 model, it marked the maker’s most successful launch in two decades, matched only by the original “Baby Benz.”
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The secret to the success of the Mercedes CLA was a mixture of styling and pricing. It was the easiest way for luxury wannabes to put a tri-star on their grille. But the coupe-look styling was a clear head-turner, as well.
Set to make its debut next week at the New York Auto Show the 2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA gets new bumpers, front and back, new paint colors and some new wheel designs.
Inside, the four-door gets newly chromed controls, new seat covers and a revised gauge cluster.
The performance model, the Mercedes-AMG CLA45, undergoes a few more readily apparent revisions for 2017, including new trim around the air vents, a new, four-finned rear diffuser and an updated rear spoiler. The CLA45 also gets two new light-alloy wheels. There’s also a new AMG Aerodynamics package which includes a larger front spoiler, winglets on the front splitter and other modest changes.
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Inside, there are also some modest tweaks that take a careful eye to spot, including new red contrasting topstitching and matte finish paint.
Even before the launch of the mid-cycle refresh, Mercedes was already tweaking the AMG version of the CLA, giving it a new 2.0-liter turbo four engine last year that boosted output to 375 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. That trimmed 0 to 60 times down to an impressive 4.1 seconds. Top speed is 155 mph.
As for the base CLA 250, it maintains its 2.0-liter four, making 208 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to get the front-drive version to 60 in 6.9 seconds, while the all-wheel-drive model will cut a tenth of a second off that number.
All versions of the CLA share a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, though the AMG edition has a sportier tuning and driver selectable modes.
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The U.S. version will reach showrooms by autumn – but American drivers won’t be getting the CLA wagon offered in Europe and a number of other markets.