Mercedes to launch 2016 CLA in New York; 89g/km diesel to join range
Mercedes will unveil the facelifted CLA at the New York motor show later this month. The four-door coupe and its Shooting Brake estate derivative will be updated with new bumpers, a lightly revamped interior and a new super-frugal diesel engine from the latest A-Class.
See more CLA leasing deals here: business / personal
The arrival of the new 180d BlueEfficiency diesel engine improves the CLA’s economy dramatically. A 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit with 107bhp, it’s capable of 80.7mpg and 89g/km CO2 emissions, which places it comfortably into the 16% company car tax bracket. In comparison, the outgoing car’s most efficient engine – the 200d – managed just 67.3mpg and 109g/km emissions.
The 180d engine will also be offered without the BlueEfficiency technology, but it will still return up to 76.3mpg and manage sub-100g/km CO2 emissions.
Customers looking for a more powerful diesel can opt for the larger 200d or 220d, both of which return up to 70.6mpg and 104g/km in their most parsimonious forms despite boasting 134 and 174bhp respectively.
Those in search of a petrol-powered CLA get even more choice, with options ranging from the 1.6-litre 180 to the 2.0-litre 250 and the fire-breathing, AMG-badged CLA 45.
It’s much the same powertrain line-up as before, but there are one or two changes. The 181bhp 2.0-litre 220 engine, for example, is now available with four-wheel drive, and the little 180 engine is now offered in frugal BlueEfficiency guise. That means CO2 emissions drop to 117g/km and fuel consumption hits 56.5mpg.
All these engines are available in the Shooting Brake variants (pictured above), but the larger boot comes at the cost of a little efficiency and performance.
Exterior revisions have been minor, comprising tweaked bumpers, a new grille, new alloy wheels and optional LED headlights , and the internal update has been similarly subtle. Eagle-eyed readers will spot new seat upholstery, new trim parts and some chrome-plated controls. There’s also the option of an upgraded infotainment system with more smartphone connectivity options.