Mercedes-Benz CLA200: Quick, crisp and compact

An agile and accessibly amusing drive, the Mercedes-Benz CLA plays is a compact youth-oriented “mini-me” sister to the glamourously slinky and trendsetting CLS-Class. A self-style “four-door coupe” like the CLS, the CLA is however based on Mercedes’ A-Class hatchback and conceptually sits between the premium compact Audi A3 saloon and BMW 2-Series two-door Berlinetta Coupe.

Driven in CLA200 guise, it is fun, flexible and efficient, delivering a bigger punch than its 1.6-litre turbocharged engine’s 154BHP headline output figure suggests. Manoeuvrable and pointy, with direct steering characteristics and compact dimensions, the CLA sits somewhere between a coupe with four-door practicality for well-to-do youths or a sporty compact saloon for young families.

Svelte and stylish

Slimmer and narrower than the luxuriantly long and wide CLS, the CLA looks like a slightly distorted and condensed interpretation of the former’s rakish and low-slung roofline. However, the CLA’s snoutier and more urgently lunging demeanour and design are best appreciated after experiencing its agile, eager and nippy manoeuvrability on a brisk B-road jaunt.

With jutting and wide large tri-star emblem-adorned grille, raised bonnet centre and twin ridged bonnet scallops, the CLA cuts an assertive and eager figure. Meanwhile, a descending arcing character line trails off from its headlight edges to converge with a rising arc and create a concave side surface and sense of dynamic tension and forward movement. 

Rakishly slanted and descending, the CLA’s stylish roofline may expectedly compromise rear headroom for taller passengers, but successfully convey the intended drama and glamour. Meanwhile, optional AMG body styling and optional 225/40R18 footwear emphasise the CLA’s sporting character, with the latter generating enhanced grip, but a slightly firm ride owing to low profile and convenient by stiff run-flat sidewalls. 

Punching above expectation

Muscular at low-end and mid-range, the CLA200’s compact 1.6-litre turbocharged direct injection engine develops 154BHP at 5300rpm and 184lb/ft throughout 1250-4000rpm. So punchy in mid-range is the CLA200’s engine, that it could almost be mistaken for Mercedes’ other and larger 2-litre turbocharged 181BHP and 221lb/ft “200” designated engine, as fitted to the C- and E-Class saloons.

With scant little turbo lag, the CLA200 spools ups swiftly to serve up its broad and muscularly generous mid-range torque. Easily able to spin and torque-steering its driven front-wheels before electronic controls subtly step in, the CLA200 can dash through the 0-100km/h benchmark in 8.5 seconds and top 230km/h, but also return frugal 5.1l/100km combined cycle fuel efficiency.

With rich and eager mid-range, the CLA200 is versatile, responsive and punchy on the move and at speed. Through swift switchbacks, one downshifts its 7-speed automatic gearbox through paddle-shifters to enter a corner at around 4000rpm. Reapplying throttle by apex, power accumulation is consistently plump. Running out of steam by around 5500rpm, another up-shift puts one back in the CLA200’s fulsome sweet spot.

Crisp characteristics

A seemingly quicker and more powerful car than its headline figures suggest, the CLA200’s charm is that of an agile compact car being driven fast. Narrow and manoeuvrable, with instinctive front-drive handling, the CLA200’s handling characteristics are easily acquainted. Moderately powerful, one also has the satisfaction of being more readily able to exploit the parameters of its performance envelope.

Initially torque steering on aggressive launch and if throttle is reapplied too early and hard on exiting a corner, the CLA200’s electronics and driver can, however, modulate input for tidier handling. With the right level of power and timing, the CLA200 powers smoothly, confidently and eagerly out of corners. Meanwhile, ventilated perforated front brakes provide effective stopping ability.

Keen and crisp into corners, the CLA200’s steering finds a fine balance between quick reactions, direct feel and refinement and high-speed directional stability. Tucking early into a corner, the CLA is predictable and eager through switchbacks, while optional AMG sports suspension keeps body roll well suppressed and ensures a buttoned down ride on rebound over sudden dips and crests.

Sporty and supportive

Sporty and smooth but slightly on the stiff side owing to its optional AMG suspension and wheels, the CLA200 is refined and feels well built inside. Luxurious and well appointed in terms of materials, design and textures, the CLA-Class is ultimately a sportier premium proposition that isn’t quite indulgently refined as Mercedes’ more traditional rear-drive executive and luxury saloons models. 

With good steering and seating adjustability, the CLA provides and alert, comfortable and supportive driving position with good front headroom and visibility. Given its stylishly rakish roofline, over-shoulder visibility and rear headroom aren’t quite as generous, and while tall adults might find rear headroom limited, rear accommodations are perfectly fine for shorter adults and children.

Well-equipped, the driven CLA200 featured numerous driving, safety, convenience and infotainment systems, including panoramic roof, 6-CD infotainments system with USB and Bluetooth connectivity, multi-function steering wheel, heated seats and parking and collision prevention assists. In addition to run-flat tyres, Jordanian models are fitted with a spare wheel, but at the cost of reducing the CLA’s generous and otherwise flat 470-litre boot.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 1.6-litre, turbocharged transverse 4 cylinders

Bore x stroke: 83 x 73.7mm

Compression ratio: 10.3:1

Valve-train: 16-valve, DOHC, direct injection

Gearbox: 7-speed automatic, front-wheel drive

Top gear/final drive ratios: 0.94:1/4.13:1

0-100km/h: 8.5 seconds

Top speed: 230km/h

Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 154 (156) [115] @5300rpm

Specific power: 96.6BHP/litre

Power-to-weight: 107.7BHP/tonne

Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 184 (250) @1250-4000rpm

Specific torque: 156.74Nm/litre

Torque-to-weight: 174.82Nm/tonne

Fuel consumption, combined: 5.1-5.4 litres/100km

CO2 emissions, combined: 119-125g/km

Fuel capacity: 56 litres

Length: 4630mm

Width: 1777mm

Height: 1432mm

Wheelbase: 2699mm

Track, F/R: 1549/1547mm

Overhang, F/R: 915/1016mm

Aerodynamic drag co-efficient: 0.25

Kerb weight: 1430kg

Headroom, F/R: 1006/905mm

Shoulder room, F/R: 1391/1350mm

Luggage volume, min/max: 470 litres

Steering: Variable electric-assisted rack and pinion

Turning circle: 11 metres

Suspension, F/R: MacPherson strut/multi-link

Brakes: Ventilated discs

Tyres: 225/40R18