The least expensive sedan in the Merc line-up will rival the A3 sedan.
Mercedes-Benz might have launched a limited stock of the CLA 45 AMG to keep the performance-oriented buyers happy, but what will help Merc gain market share in the premium compact sedan segment is the CLA. As reported earlier, the car is expected to launch in January next year, says MotorBeam.
The CLA is based on the MFA platform which underpins all the front-wheel drive Mercedes cars in the country, like the A Class, the B Class and the GLA. To be positioned below the recently launched C Class, the CLA is going to be the least expensive, three-pointed star bearing sedan one can buy.
Its positioning means the only car which it will lock horns with is going to be the Audi A3 sedan. Mercedes Benz is expected to price it competitively, which means the rest of the D+ segment which comprises of cars like the Skoda Superb, Toyota Camry, and Hyundai Sonata could also witness customers flogging to Merc's dealerships.
Much like the GLA compact SUV, powering the CLA will be a 2.2-litre diesel and a 2.0-litre petrol engine. The former is going to be the more popular option, and with a max power of 134 hp, torque of 300 Nm, and an overall fuel economy of 17.9 kmpl, there's hardly any doubt about that. The turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine will be slightly more performance oriented: 181 hp of max power and 300 Nm of max torque to justify that.
Also read: Mercedes to open pre-owned car business in India
Both engines will come mated to Merc's 7-speed automatic gearbox sending power to the front wheels (FWD). No 4Matic versions (unlike the CLA 45 and GLA 45 AMG) will be offered, though.
Competitors: Audi A3
Expected price: INR 25-30 lakh, ex-Showroom
Launch date: January 2015
[Source: Motorbeam]
