Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe: New vs Old - Major Differences

The baby Mercedes sedan gets a lot of updates both inside and out in its latest avatar. Read to find out what’s changed

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the latest iteration of the CLA Coupe at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. We reckon it’ll be launched in India within the 2019-20 fiscal year. But before it comes to our shores, let’s see what has changed in comparison to the model that’s currently available.

Dimensions

• The CLA Coupe has now grown in size in just about every aspect. It is longer, wider and taller than before, which might also make it more spacious than before.

Design

• Prettier, Sportier: The new Mercedes CLA looks prettier than before while the wider stance gives it an even sportier look.

• The new headlamps appear to be a more slender, elegant design that makes it look similar to the new CLS. It also gets new, optional multibeam LED headlamps while it’s equipped with halogen headlamps and integrated DRLs as standard.

• The front grille is a new shape and is matched by the new headlamps design. It also gets a new front splitter and new separated front air dams on either end of the front bumper.

• The new CLA looks even more like the CLS from the rear with the new sleek LED tail lights wherein the split tail lamp design allows for a more elegant looking boot.

• The rear bumper has also been redesigned and it now houses the number plate.

• The new CLA will be offered with wheel sizes ranging from 16-inches to 19-inches while the existing one offers choices between 16-inches to 18-inches in India.

Interior & Features

• Mercedes-Benz has given the CLA its most significant update as far as the cabin, features and technology are concerned.

• The dashboard has been updated and it now includes the new free-standing widescreen display that spans nearly two-thirds of the dash to include the driver’s instrument cluster as well as the touchscreen infotainment system. This replaces the older dashboard layout which had a traditional driver’s instrument cluster and a smaller central display for the infotainment system. There are further analogue controls for the climate control and telephonic functionality on the central console of the outgoing CLA.

• The interface for the dual-zone automatic climate control has been updated too. It’s now the same as the new-gen A-Class. Even the design for the air vents is new.

• The central console has also been updated to incorporate the touchpad interface and various buttons to control the car’s drivetrain settings.

• Mercedes-Benz has given the new CLA a new steering wheel with the touch-sensitive controls.

• It also gets the latest and most advanced version of the MBUX system. It packs an AI voice assistant that can be activated using the phrase ‘Hey Mercedes’.

• The new CLA also features the Energizing package that debuted on the new GLE. It uses presets to create a sense of well being for the occupants by controlling the air con and the seats (heating, ventilation and massage). The Energizing function works in sync with the MBUX as it learns from the users’ preferences and settings to create the presets.

• The new CLA is equipped with various safety technology and driver assist systems from the S-Class, including active distance assist, active emergency stop assist, and lane change assist, as part of an optional package. The current CLA in India does not get any of these assist features.

Engine

• Mercedes-Benz has not yet announced the full lineup of drivetrain options that will be available on the latest CLA Coupe. But it did confirm that it will get both petrol and diesel engines with a choice of manual and dual-clutch automatic transmissions.

• The variant on display at the unveil was a petrol unit which had a performance rating of 225PS and 350Nm of peak torque paired to a 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission. The current CLA is sold in India with a 1991cc petrol engine that has an output of 183PS of power and 300Nm of peak torque.

• The diesel engine on the India-spec CLA (first-gen) is a 2143cc diesel unit with an output of 136PS and 300Nm of torque. Both the engines on the current CLA in India come mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission.

Launch & Price

The new Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe is expected to launch in India within the 2019-20 financial year. Currently, the CLA sold in India is priced between Rs 31.72 lakh to Rs 36.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The new CLA will likely be priced at a premium over those prices and rival the Audi A3.

Read More on : Mercedes-Benz CLA Automatic