A whole generation of cars, in a variety of sub-segments has spawned ever since the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class made its debut back in 2004. The four door coupe made a big dent in the automotive design universe, questioning those who believed that the words ‘coupe’ and ‘four-door’ cannot be spoken in the same breath. The big saloon, with a swooping roofline captured the imagination of the filthy rich, creating a fantastic success story for itself, and leaving a trail of clues for the rivals to flatter M-B with imitation. Some of the best known cars of our generation, including, but not limited to the Audi A7 Sportback, BMW 6-series Gran Coupe and even the super successful X6 have all taken cues from the bigger CLS.
It’s been more than a decade since the car first made its appearance. And the clamor for its authentically rebellious lines has only increased with time. However crazy and functionally impaired that dropping roofline may have sounded upon its origin, it has passed the toughest test, that of time with authority. This form is here to stay, and defines the single biggest design revolution for the cars in its time and generation.
So when the whole of the automotive world is doing its bit to copy the CLS’s roofline is a slightly different way and call it their own, Mercedes-Benz, too realizes the relevance and appeal of this relatively new styling language. To implement it across the length and breadth of its product range and especially in the more accessible categories is only a natural progression.
And thus, the CLA. A mini-me version of sorts, of the CLS. The car which made its concept debut in 2012, and got launched in 2013 is finally here to take the style quotient to a new level among its peers. A democratic representation of the most revolutionary expression in automotive design, the CLA is out here to redefine what one should expect from a premium car in its price range stylistically. If looking cool is what you buy a premium car for, this new car is going to make you think hard before you put your money anywhere else.
Design and style
Sure, that beautiful dropping roof-line isn’t very conducive for the health of them tall guys’ heads. It’s been bashed for having put form over function, which isn’t a very good thing, but the CLA has its own, very strong retort. The rather compact four-door mocks its detractors by being the slipperiest production car in the universe. With an incredibly low drag coefficient of .22 cd, the CLA holds the world record for being the most aerodynamically correct production automobile. The CLA, then is resisted less by the air as it moves, saving precious fuel every inch it moves and killing less butterflies in the process. Let a few heads get mildly hurt for the noble cause.
Sharing its face with the swashbuckling A-class to a large extent, the CLA has a swagger of its own. Low, squat with that aggressive snout, those power bulges on the bonnet and those boomerang LED’s – the CLA looks decidedly sportier than anything in its class as it crosses you in the opposing lane. I realized how good it looked when I saw one zoom by on the highway during the media drive event.
The shape of the CLA’s grille is the same as the A-Class. The glittery diamonds on the latter have been replaced by glossy black studs here for distinction, and a bit of cost saving too. The avant-garde grill with a satin silver slat with shiny chrome on top, holding the big triple pointed star with pride in the middle makes the CLA look absolutely smashing. Aggressive central and side air dams further enhance the CLA’s sporty appearance. Those pronounced creases atop the bonnet, or what Mercedes prefers calling power domes have been used outside of an AMG product for the first time.
On the sides, in addition to that sharply dipping roofline, the two creases shared with the S-Class and the C-class make an appearance on the CLS as well. Adding tremendous tension and athleticism to the car’s profile, those lines endow the CLA with a sense of motion even when it’s at a standstill. The greenhouse is lined with thick, hi-quality chrome. The 5-spoke two-tone 17 inch wheels look sporty and add vastly to the CLA’s appeal. The crease emanating from the tail lamps, converging half-way into the rear door lends the CLA a pair of sculpted haunches. I particularly like how the boot deck, with its integrated spoiler looks in profile. Adds a touch of performance oriented visual character to the car discreetly, yet assertively.
Still talking about the sides, those frame-less doors look astonishing, but that’s something you get to behold only when the car is on the standstill and the doors are swung open. The CLA won’t be caught in that state too often, not while it’s on the move, but every time it does, it’ll make a big statement.
The rear is dominated by that curvy LED tail-lamp, which looks fantastic when lit. A black diffuser beneath the rear bumper, accentuated by chrome and flanked by twin trapezoidal exhausts lends the CLA’s behind a distinctive, premium, aggressive air.
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I like it.
TYPO —should be CLS
… have all taken cues from the CLA.