Mercedes boosts CLA range

MERCEDES-BENZ has confirmed timing for two variants in its CLA sedan range, including the CLA250 Sport performance variant that will arrive in July with 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

The all-paw CLA250 Sport is priced from $64,900 plus on-road costs and will act as the non-AMG flagship of the range, sitting under the 265kW/450Nm $86,900 CLA45 AMG performance sedan.

At launch, Mercedes confirmed a CLA250 Sport in front-wheel drive guise only from $63,400, but the company changed tack when the 4MATIC version became available and is now introducing it with a $1500 premium over the two-wheel drive.

Power comes from a 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine which pushes the sleek four-door from a standing start to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds.

While it is difficult to pinpoint a direct rival for the CLA250 Sport, Audi’s 132kW/280Nm A3 1.8 TFSI Quattro sedan starts at $47,800, while BMW’s 160kW/310Nm 125i hatch kicks off from $47,500.

Arriving earlier than the CLA250 Sport in March is the CLA 200 CDI diesel, kicking off from $50,400 plus on-roads, which is $500 dearer than the identically specified CLA200 petrol variant.

The closest competitor for this variant is the newly released Audi A3 sedan, which in 2.0 TDI diesel guise starts from $44,800, some $5600 less than the CLA200 CDI.

The frugal oil-burner is powered by a 100kW/300Nm 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, sipping 4.7 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle.

Standard features on the CLA200 CDI include ‘Thermotronic’ climate control, Becker ‘Map Pilot’ satellite navigation, a reversing camera and 18-inch wheels.

Upgrading to the CLA250 Sport adds AMG styling and performance tweaks, heated electric leather sports seats, ‘Comand’ sat-nav, a Harmon Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system, an AMG performance steering wheel, AMG driver’s package and an AMG night package.

The German car-maker’s local arm says both variants are available to order now.

Since the coupe-like four-door launch in October last year, Mercedes has sold 809 CLAs and it has shifted 3702 examples of the mechanically related A-Class hatch since its arrival in local showrooms in March last year.

2014 Mercedes CLA pricing*

200	$49,900
CDI	$50,400
250 Sport 4MATIC	$64,900
45 AMG 4MATIC	$86,900

*Excludes on-road costs.