Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will launch a new version of the CLA sedan for the Indian market on November 30. This is the first major update for the sedan since it was launched in late 2014 and will continue through the local assembly route.
This new CLA will follow along the lines of its hatchback sibling and gets a host of cosmetic updates while remaining the same mechanically. The overall external design has been retained but the car now gets a slightly reworked front grille, new alloy wheels and a modified rear bumper.
The cabin is where Mercedes has done most of the upgrades. The COMAND infotainment system has been tweaked in terms of its appearance and it also gets latest software like Android Auto and Apple Car Play. Also expected to appear in this upgrade is a revised instrument cluster, switches and upholstery.
The CLA, in the Indian market, will be offered with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine producing 134bhp/300Nm while the petrol is a 2.0-litre unit producing 181bhp/300Nm. Both engines are offered with a seven-speed AT.
There is also expected to be a high performance CLA45 AMG which will to arrive at a later date. It makes use of a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit that has been tuned by the magicians at Affalterbach to produce 355bhp/450Nm of torque. This engine is mated to an AMG spec seven-speed DSG and 4MATIC AWD system.
We believe that there will be a minor price hike across the range when the range is launched. It takes on the likes of the Audi A3 in the entry-level luxury segment of the Indian market.
