Mercedes Benz

SPY: The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class (C 117) makes new appearance on German and Italian roads

The future Mercedes-Benz CLA is quite a frequent presence on streets these days. The latest bunch of spy shots were captured in Stuttgart and in an unknown Italian town. As the model is taking the final of its on-road development phase, more and more styling details come to light to our desire. The front-driven 4-door coupé is following the CLS design theme seeing the heavily rear-dropping roofline, but it looks clear some of the elements premiered on the Concept Style Coupé will eventually make it onto the series production car.

The visual attribute of the so-entitled executive coupé is the powerful front end, which is sure to turn heads. The main centrepoint is the iconic SLS-esque radiator grille with the Star shining in the middle, which could not be complete without the streamlined headlights, an evolution of the design exercise seen on the Concept A-Class.

It seems the new-generation GLK 2013 will create a trend at Mercedes-Benz concerning the inner graphics of the tail lamps. It is visible from these scoops the CLA gets a similar light arrangement, divided into two areas: above, a bigger area comprising the brake/daytime/fog lights, and below, a thin strip for the LED indicator and the reverse-gear signal.

There is indication Mercedes-Benz is preparing an exquisite array of appointments for the new CLA. There will be new colour combos, attractive wheel designs and new premium materials, which together with the designo customization programme and the original accessories range of the constructor, will certainly suit even the most pretentious personalities.

The 2013 CLA-Class is packed full of the ultimate technology, once destined exclusively for the high-end Mercedes-Benz models. The safety equipment includes a full set of airbags (front, side, window, knee), the PRE-SAFE crash anticipatory system, Brake Assist Plus, ATTENTION ASSIST and the revolutionary Collision Prevention Assist. Connectivity aboard the C 117 is enhanced with the help of the COMAND Online infotainment system which incorporates Apple Siri-compatible technology and a complete media and social profile integration.

Engines come from the new A-Class and start from the entry-level CLA 180 CDI equipped with the 109 hp 4-cylinder Renault diesel engine and climb up to the high-end CLA 250 sporting the Mercedes-Benz 2.1-litre 4I gasoline unit delivering 211 hp. We are also expecting new additions to the existing lineup in the coming years, meaning more powerful IC versions could be planned - a 265 hp CLA 350 CDI sounds sweet. But as efficiency is the key term nowadays, the CLA will also be available with alternative power after 2015: take into consideration BlueTEC hybrid, F-CELL and E-CELL with range extender as main possibilities.

Engineers from Affalterbach are also busy at readying the range-topping CLA 25 AMG. When this rocket is unveiled next year, it will boast a new supercharged engine capable of releasing a peak output of 350 hp. All that impressive power will be channeled through a 7-speed automatic transmission to the four wheels, as the CLA 25 AMG sits on a specially-developed all-wheel-drive powertrain. 0 to 100 km/h should take less than 6 seconds, whereas the top speed is, how else, electronically-limited at 250 km/h.

Image Credits: WorldCarFans,Autoblog.it

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