Mercedes-Benz CLA launched at Rs 31.5 lakh

Mercedes-Benz will launch 15 cars in India this year and the first of them is their entry into the entry-luxury sedan segment, the CLA class. The CLA prices will start from Rs 31.5 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. The new entry-luxury sedan will take on the Audi A3 in this class.

The CLA-Class is an attractive design, not so much from the front but in its silhouette. Coupe like lines and an attractive set of 17 inch five spoke alloy wheels give it quite a sporty stance. You move towards the rear of the car and those swooping lights with those LED inserts and the sloping boot make it all the more charming. The interiors are luxurious but not as attractive as the exterior of the car. You get all the creature comforts you expect out of a Mercedes though.

The CLA-Class is built on Mercedes’ front wheel drive MFA platform. It shares its underpinnings with the A-Class, B-Class and the more recently launched compact SUV, the GLA-Class. Under the hood, the CLA-Class will sport a 2.0-litre petrol unit making 183.5PS and 300Nm and will also be offered with a 2.2-litre diesel mill that pumps 136PS and 300Nm. Both the petrol and diesel engines will be mated to Mercedes-Benz’s tried and tested 7-speed dual clutch gearbox.

In 2014, Mercedes launched the CLA45 AMG, surprisingly, before the AMG coming before the regular model. This could generate a lot of excitement around the new luxury sedan. And Mercedes must be anticipating this as bookings for the CLA began over two weeks before its launch. The minimum booking amount for the CLA-Class is Rs 2 lakh.

The CLA will be available in two trims - Style and Sport. Style gets 16 inch wheels, driver's side seat memory and different interior trim to the Sport. The Sport is the fully kitted CLA with chrome inserts in the steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, diamond grille, Harman Kardon surround sound system, satellite navigation driver and passenger seat memory and 17 inch wheels. Both variants gets paddle shifters, reversing camera and bi-xenon headlamps. Mercedes will offer the diesel variant only in style trim. 

Prices -

CLA 200 CDI Style (D) - Rs 31.5 lakh 

CLA 200 Sport (P) - Rs 35 lakh

CLA 200 CDI Sport (D) - Rs 35.9 lakh

All prices ex-showroom Delhi