AMG version to follow

Mercedes-Benz has announced the CLA Shooting Brake will be introduced next year.

We were hoping Mercedes-Benz would show us the CLA SB soon as numerous prototypes wearing very little camouflage have been caught testing in the last few months. However, that won't happen as the more practical yet still stylish CLA will be out in 2015 and will be the fourth member of the A-Class range after the hatchback, sedan and crossover.

Essentially a downsized CLS Shooting Brake in terms of design, the stylish CLA estate will also receive an AMG version but that will happen several months after the standard model's launch. An online reveal of the CLA Shooting Brake will likely occur before the end of the year, with sales programmed to kick off in the first months of 2015.

Engine lineup will mirror the rest of the A-Class, including the AMG models with their 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline motor delivering 360 PS (265 kW) and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque sent to the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. This hardware arrangement should grant the CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) run in around 4.7 or 4.8 seconds since the slightly lighter CLA 45 AMG does it in 4.6 seconds.

Expect the CLA Shooting Brake versions to be a tad more expensive than the equivalent CLA.

The fifth member of Mercedes’ front-wheel drive compact family has been officially confirmed, and it’s the CLA Shooting Brake. Obviously, the car wasn’t exactly a secret, but Mercedes announced that the model will go on sale early 2015, publicly admitting for the first time that it is producing the estate version of the CLA.

The CLA Shooting Brake will add to the existing A-Class hatchback, CLA sedan, GLA crossover and B-Class MPV as the brand’s fifth front-wheel drive compact model. The design of the CLA Shooting Brake will feature design cues from the CLS Shooting Brake and the CLA sedan, with which it will share the mechanical platform.

This means the CLA Shooting Brake will be powered by turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, mated to six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmissions. It will be available either as a front-wheel drive model or with the 4Matic four-wheel drive system.

As spy shots have shown, Mercedes-Benz will also offer a range-topping CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake with 355 hp (360 PS) from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

The CLA Shooting Brake is part of the brand’s plan to launch ten all-new models between 2012 and 2020. The first was the CLS Shooting Brake, followed by the CLA and GLA. The CLA Shooting Brake, AMG GT sports car and ML Coupe will follow. Mercedes-Benz is also expected to launch four new variants of the S-Class, including two extended-wheelbase limousines and a convertible version of the S-Class Coupe, as well as an all-new GLK crossover.

Features 'AMG-developed front axle and suspension'

Mercedes-Benz is now offering an optional Sport Package Plus kit in United States for the CLA250.

After introducing the CLA250 Sport in Europe last year, Mercedes-Benz is now offering a similar package for the U.S.-spec version. The CLA250 Sport Package Plus has received unique 18-inch AMG alloy wheels and a different setup of the exhaust system to provide a more aggressive tone.

It also comes with a different front axle and suspension developed by AMG while inside it gets TEX/DINAMICA sport seats with red top-stitching.

There aren't any changes in the engine department so the CLA250 continues to pack a 4-cylinder 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine delivering 208 bhp (155 kW) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a seven-speed DCT dual-clutch automatic gearbox while for more money Mercedes-Benz is offering an optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive system.

The standard CLA250 starts at 29,990 USD (without 925 USD destination charges) while the 4MATIC model is 2,000 USD more expensive.

Mercedes announced the addition of five new models to its front-wheel drive compact model family in Europe, including the CLA, A-Class and GLA-Class lineups. Starting this autumn, the CLA gets its first all-wheel drive diesel variants, the CLA 200 CDI 4Matic and CLA 220 CDI 4Matic.

Both the CLA 200 CDI 4Matic and the corresponding front-wheel drive model get a 2.2 liter engine which produces 136PS (134hp). Combined fuel consumption is as low as 4.0 l/100 km (58.8 mpg US) for the CLA 200 CDI with 7G-DCT transmission, one tenth better than the previous model with the 1.8-liter engine.

The A-Class lineup will also expand with the 184PS (181hp) A 220 CDI 4Matic, which accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.4 seconds and averages 6.3 l/100 km (37.3 mpg US), corresponding to CO2 emissions of 148 g/km.

The GLA-Class gets a new model as well, the entry-level GLA 180 CDI, which is powered by a 1.5-liter turbo diesel engine producing 109 PS (108hp) and 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) of torque from 1,750 to 2,500 rpm. The model averages 3.9 l/100 km (60.3 mpg US) when fitted with the 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission.

The new models of the CLA and A-Class can be ordered with immediate effect, while the A 220 4Matic will be available to order from July 31. The new versions will begin to arrive in Mercedes-Benz' European dealerships from September 2014.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG may have the most powerful production four-cylinder turbo engine in the world, but it is a car that can be used as a daily driver.

After six months of driving it, the folks from Auto Express decided to share their impressions about the high-performance sedan.

With 355 hp, the CLA 45 AMG didn’t disappoint them in terms of speed, but it did in terms of pricing. Added up, all the optional extras fitted to the car bring the CLA 45 AMG to a similar price as the Porsche Cayman.

Obviously, the CLA 45 AMG isn’t as engaging to drive as the Cayman – and nowhere near as desirable, I would add. Another problem it has is the ride. Owen Mildenhall found it too firm to get used to, with passengers also describing it as uncomfortable. In the end, it’s all about how much the buyer is willing to compromise, as you can find out by watching the following video.