Mercedes-Benz CLA45 2015 News

Mercedes has announced Australian pricing and specifications for the new CLA Shooting Brake compact wagon.Priced from $52,400, the CLA-based model will be the cheapest Benz wagon ever sold in Australia, and priced below the Holden Calais V Sportwagon local hero.Your $52,400 will get you a 115kW/250Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine in the base model CLA 200, capable of returning 5.7L/100km combined.An additional $500 brings the 2.1-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine producing 100kW/300Nm in the $52,900 CLA 200 CDI. Combined fuel consumption for the diesel model listed as 4.3L/100km.The CLA-based model will be the cheapest Mercedes-Benz wagon ever sold in Australia.Standard features on both 200 models include power tailgate, satnav, 18-inch alloys, keyless start and a reversing camera.Both entry-level models are front-wheel drive and fitted with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox as standard.The mid-spec $66,400 CLA 250 4MATIC Shooting Brake is powered by a 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine. The 250 also scores AMG styling pieces, diamond grille, sports suspension, panoramic glass sunroof, heated electric leather front seats, and 4MATIC four-wheel drive.The range-topping CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake is the performance model in the line up, powered by the 265kW/450Nm turbo four-cylinder engine from the A, CLA and GLA 45 AMG models.It can sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds – a tenth slower than the CLA 45 sedan – and is fitted with upgraded suspension, brakes, wheels and tyres and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic with launch control. The AMG performance model also comes with extra standard equipment, including upgraded satnav, Harmon Kardon sound system, cruise control with auto brake functionality and lane keep assist.The Shooting Brake features an additional 25-litres of cargo space over the CLA sedan at 495-litres VDA, while folding the rear seats flat sees that swell to 1354-litres VDA.The CLA Shooting Brake is expected to arrive in Australia before June.

Mercedes-Benz has revealed its newest member of the expanding A-Class family, the CLA Shooting Brake.As indicated over a year ago by Mercedes-Benz design boss Gordon Wagener, the new Shooting Brake will enter production in January 2015 becoming the prestige marque’s second coupe-come-wagon model after the larger CLS Shooting Brake.Mercedes describe the Shooting Brake as a more practical and spacious version of the stylish CLA sedan, for those buyers who don’t want to compromise style for usability, or plump for a more expensive C-Class Estate.From the A-pillar forward the design mirrors that of the standard CLA with the same headlight and grille design, the doors also feature the same swooshing character lines that have been adopted by most of the Mercedes passenger lineup in recent times.The roofline and D-pillar are new however, and there’s a sleek tailgate that exaggerates the length of the car giving almost yacht-like proportions in a similar fashion to the CLS Shooting Brake.Inside, the CLA Shooting Brake features the same youth-orientated interior design as the CLA four-door coupe, though the new roof design is said to give rear passengers greater headroom.Boot space has also swollen by 25-litres to 495-litres VDA. With the rear seats folded flat a total of 1354-litres VDA is available.Mechanicals for the wagon mirror the rest of the CLA range with a choice of turbocharged petrol and turbodiesel engines available with front-drive or 4MATIC all-wheel drive.In overseas markets a manual transmission will be offered, but Australia’s love affair with autos will likely see the 7-speed double-clutch automatic the sole gearbox for locally delivered models.International turbodiesel options include the 100kW/300Nm CLA200 CDI and the CLA220 CDI with the same 2.1-litre turbodiesel unit in 130kW/350Nm tune. Both models can achieve around 4.2L/100km combined on the European cycle.The petrol range kicks off with the 90kW/200Nm CLA180 followed by the 115kW/250Nm CLA200 with both models capable of using around 6.0L/100km combined.The CLA250 uses a 2.0-litre turbo four-pot producing 155kW/350Nm and can hit 100km/h in 6.8 seconds in all-wheel drive 4MATIC form. Combined fuel consumption for the all-paw Shooting Brake is 6.6L/100km.Mercedes is also launching a CLA45 AMG version of the Shooting Brake which gets the same 265kW/450Nm 2.0-litre turbo unit as the performance arm’s other '45' models.Mercedes has carved yet another niche in the marketA 4MATIC all-wheel drive system and double-clutch transmission with launch control function helps the new model reach 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds – a tenth off the slightly lighter CLA45 sedan, but a tenth quicker than the GLA45 SUV with the same powertrain. The AMG model also features bigger brakes, more track-focused suspension and tyres and a number of styling pieces to give a sportier look. The new CLA load lugger won’t have any direct rivals when lands in Australia next year, as Mercedes has carved yet another niche in the market.Though Australian pricing and specifications are unconfirmed, expect the CLA Shooting Brake to be slightly more expensive than its sedan sibling, which starts at $50,900.

The New York motor show in April will see the announcement of which vehicle has won the 2014 World COTY, and there looks to be a tough -- and very varied -- field of finalists.Last year's winner was the Volkswagen Golf, which also took awards in pretty well every country on the globe. But this year it could be anything from the little electric BMW i3 to the offroading Jeep Cherokee and even the Citroen C4 peoplemover, judging by the shortlist.A panel of 69 motoring experts from around the world -- including Carsguide's Paul Gover and National Motoring Editor Joshua Dowling -- will choose the winner from: Audi A3, BMW 4 Series, BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Ford Fusion/Mondeo, Infiniti Q50, Jeep Cherokee, Lexus IS, Mazda3, Peugeot 308 and Skoda Octavia.The 10 finalists for the 2014 World Luxury Car are the Bentley Flying Spur, BMW X5, Cadillac ELR, Cadillac Escalade, Maserati Ghibli, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Porsche Macan, Range Rover Sport and Rolls-Royce Wraith.Due to a tie, there are 11 finalists for the 2014 World Performance Car: Alfa Romeo 4C, Audi RS 6 Avant, BMW M6 Gran Coupe, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Ferrari 458 Speciale, Ford Fiesta ST, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster, Mercedes-Benz A/CLA45 AMG, Porsche 911 GT3, Porsche 911 Turbo and Volkswagen Golf GTI.A separate panel of five 'green' experts will choose the 2014 World Green Car from Audi A3 Sportback e-tron (+ Audi e-gas), BMW i3, Honda Accord Hybrid, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Volkswagen XL1.Similarly, a panel of five design experts will decide on the 2014 World Car Design of the Year, from among: BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Mazda3, Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Volkswagen XL1.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Mercedes-AMG has made its name on sharp-edged performance. And, until recently, that's involved cramming large-displacement engines under the hood. Now, surprisingly — representing a significant turnaround from some years ago — even AMG sees hybrid powertrains in its future. While BMW and Audi have been refocusing their performance efforts toward diesel engines, AMG chairman Ola Källenius told Edmunds that diesels don't deliver the aggressive characteristics of a gasoline engine. According to Källenius, AMG will produce a hybrid model “when the market is ready for it.” V12 engines can be offered for at least another five or six years, he says, but looking ahead we'll see a clear trend toward turbocharging and downsizing. Luckily, the executive points out, some of the development for F1 and production sports-car technology — especially concerning weight and materials — is converging. The new 2014 CLA45 AMG is already leading the performance division down a fresh path. With its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, making 265 kW, pushes the kilowatts-per-litre limits of petrol engines, at present. Supplementing smaller turbocharged engines with electric motor systems could, if properly tuned, provide a compelling powertrain for future performance models. AMG has a rich history of thoroughly re-engineering or reworking engines, transmissions, and every core component for a sharper, more satisfying driving experience, and by the time such models arrive, we fully expect the same here. www.motorauthority.com