LEAKED: Meet the brand new Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class (C 117)!

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As today is the 24th December, we were not expecting many breaking news to publish on our website. But Santa Claus thought different and we ended up receiving a rather unexpected, yet highly pleasant Christmas gift. Here, we share it with our visitors - ladies and gentlemen, a warm welcome to the new member of the Mercedes-Benz family: the CLA-Class, company's so-entitled executive compact four-door coupe.

At a closer inspection, the leaked photos appear to have been scanned from an internal brochure and then spread across the internet. However, we do not expect to see the official press pack any time soon. As the CLA gets a special preview on the eve of the NAIAS Detroit 2013, first pictures and information should be released by mid-January (14 to 15). This all-so-crucial model also follows the heritage of the CLS bestseller, in a compact-sized approach but retaining the pure essence of an elegant 4-door coupe model through its emotional exterior design.

Sticking to the car itself, the CLA resembles the main attributes of the New Compact Car Generation (NCCG) lineup, although its length is anything but compact. 4.6 meters, which is at least 1 centimeter longer than the current C-Class Sedan. This means the W 205 generation of the premium mid-class limousine should have around 4.7 - 4.8 meters to accomodate the CLA in the range.

The front end is powerful and inspired from the A-Class and the Concept Style Coupe, although a bit toned down compared to the showcar. The images emphasize the range-topping CLA 250 SPORT edition, specially engineered by AMG. This version is distinguished by the state-of-the-art Diamond grille, the impressive front air intakes, the special alloy wheels with sports styling, the rear diffuser and the LED technology for both the headlamps and tail lights. The engine that powers the CLA 250 SPORT is a straight-four, 2.1-litre petrol unit rated at 211 hp.

Moving inside the car, we embrace a familiar atmosphere. Merely revised compared to the A-Class, the dashboard of the new CLA-Class features the dynamic wing-shape design and certain specific elements to make it stand apart from the hatchback model. The instrument cluster and silhouette of the trim panel running across the middle section of the dashboard are different for the C 117. By looking at the upholstery on the sport seats pictured in the photos, it is highly possible Mercedes-Benz offers greater customization choices for the CLA, as this is a niche model.

- More preliminary facts --> HERE

- Early photos with an uncovered pre-series CLA >> HERE

We shall find out more about the all new Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to www.mercedesgla.blogspot.com for the latest news!

Image Credits: GermanCarForum

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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VIDEO: CAR and DRIVER editor Csaba Csere gets an exclusive look at the new E 63 AMG

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After Motor Trend had the opportunity to take a ride in the updated Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG performance saloon, it is now the turn of CAR and DRIVER contributing editor Csaba Csere to chat with the most important guys from the Affalterbach-based firm on their brand new rocket. Ola Kaellenius, head of Mercedes-AMG, and Tobias Moers, development chief of the company, explain him the most important characteristics of the model which gets officially introduced to public in January at the NAIAS Detroit. Without revealing many intricate details, we learn that the 2013 E 63 AMG, which hits the American market during summer next year as a 2014MY vehicle, gets a heavily revised front fascia, a new 4x4 powertrain with a fixed, rear-biased transfer ratio of 33:67, more output for the 5.5-litre V8 BITURBO engine underneath the bonnet and further ride management and assistance systems. Hit play and find out more about the new-generation Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG. Enjoy! :)
Video Credits: CAR and DRIVER - Youtube Channel

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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SPY: The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class (X 156) meets snowy roads in Scandinavia

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Winter is quickly spreading across Europe, so it's perfect time for cold weather testing in Northern Scandinavia. Mercedes-Benz is gradually moving its fleet of future models for some development in Sweden. The first model spotted by spy photographers is the upcoming GLA-Class (X 156), slated to appear towards the end of 2013.

The new GLA will be the fourth member of Mercedes-Benz's New Compact Car Generation (NCCG), after the B-Class, A-Class and CLA-Class. It will be assembled at the Rastatt facility, a well-known excellence center for the production of compact-sized models under the Three-Pointed Star.

The new premium compact SUV builds on the heritage of the G-Class, given its official title, and on the dynamic appearance of the new A-Class. Situated right below the GLK, the X 156 displays a modern and progressive exterior styling complete with some beefy rear shoulders, a prominent front fascia with a larger grille and a higher ground clearance to give it the desired all-terrain vehicles look.

The GLA will be offered in both 2WD and 4WD specification, at choice. The modular MFA platform will form a standard equipment for most of the lineup, while the 4MATIC will be available as an option for the high-end petrol and diesel variants. Specially for its new compact class cars, Mercedes-Benz has developed a new version of its versatile 4x4 traction system to suit the character of such models. Most of the time, it acts like a front-biased platform, with some torque also directed towards the rear axle via the 7G-DCT, whom the system works in conjuction with. At need, the system converts to a real 4x4 configuration and can transfer the entire torque to one wheel, to the front axle or to the rear one, given the most adequate grip.

The GLA portfolio will comprise up to seven different versions, four trim lines (Urban, Style, AMG Sport and the special GLA 250 SPORT variant) and unlimited customization possibilities:

- GLA 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY: 109 hp
- GLA 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY: 136 hp
- GLA 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY: 170 hp
- GLA 180 BlueEFFICIENCY: 122 hp
- GLA 200 BlueEFFICIENCY: 156 hp
- GLA 250 BlueEFFICIENCY: 211 hp
- GLA 45 AMG 4MATIC: 354 hp

Related articles:

- Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC: All-wheel drive for all – in every class

- SPY: First encounter with the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG (X 156)

Image Credits: GermanCarForum

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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SPY: The 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W 222) in the latest collection of road scoops

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Mercedes-Benz is still maintaining a complete secrecy over its brand new S-Class generation. Just to make sure the car is perfect when officially unveiled, the Stuttgart-based carmaker extended the development phase for the luxury limousine by more than nine months beginning with August 2012, which means we will likely see the finished product by May or June next year. The will to reveal the car at the most prestigious German motor show of 2013, the IAA Frankfurt in September, pushed the date so far ahead in the future and rose the anxiousness of clients and fans regarding the W 222.

Much has already been said about the design and technology of the forthcoming S-Class, many details are still to be learnt when the first official details are issued to the media. We already know the all-time king of the luxury class will be a clever vehicle, able to monitor every inch of the surrounding territory via intelligent multi-purpose cameras, to predict accidents and mitigate their effects, to communicate with other cars and offer full access to the internet via a comprehesive online integration and also to offer an enjoyable, yet frugal and environmentally-friendly ride.

You can learn more about the tech stuff to be showcased on the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class in our dedicated page --> Mercedes-Benz-Blog | New S-Class Special

Furthermore, we invite to take a look through the latest spy shots and spy video captured in the sunny Spain and in the wintry Sweden, where the camouflaged test prototypes of the luxury flagship of Mercedes-Benz have been recently spotted.

Image Credits: Motor Authority / Gmotors.co.uk / GermanCarForum / WorldCarFans / Autoevolution

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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SPY: The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class (C 117) scooped in Hungary

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The upcoming addition to the new premium compact class portfolio at Mercedes-Benz is the eagerly awaited CLA-Class. The so-called executive 4-door coupe, which takes most of its styling inspiration the elder brother, the CLS, and the Concept Style Coupe released in April this year, will celebrate the world premiere in 2013, at the Geneva Motor Show and not at NAIAS as previously programmed. The model will be assembled outside Germany, at the new Mercedes-Benz plant in Kecskemét, Hungary, integrated in the production network as a competence center for compact cars alongside Rastatt.

However, the new CLA will be introduced to the press representatives gathered at Detroit on the eve of the show during a special presentation gala, but the car will skip the public show. Thus, first details on the model are to be issued around mid-January (14th to 15th), sources indicate. The C 117 (internal designation) is highly important for the German constructor, so the decision to first introduce it on the stage of an European motor show instead prior the release onto the American market is likely based on solid arguments.

Sales for the CLA-Class start during summer of 2013 in Europe, whereas North Americans have to wait till the end of the year to get the car, also the first flagship of the new generation of compact vehicles to be sold on the continent. The engines and equipment come from the A-Class. Apart from the usual MFA front-driven transmission, clients will also be able to opt for the 4MATIC platform for the high-end variants, while the new CLA 45 AMG performance model comes standard with a special 4x4 sports traction system developed by the engineers from Affalterbach. Available from fall 2013, the super-hot four-door coupe boasts an all new 2.0-litre, I4 turbocharged petrol powerplant (M133) cranking out no less than 354 hp and over 400 Nm of torque.

For the start of sales, the entry-level version is the CLA 180 BlueEFFICIENCY with 122 hp (worth near €28,000 basic price), followed by the CLA 200 BlueEFFICIENCY with 156 hp. The range-topper will be the CLA 250 BlueEFFICIENCY (engineered by AMG) with 211 hp, which also receives the 4MATIC option from September 2013. This high-end version is also available with the bespoke AMG SPORT styling package, which adds an extra dose of sexiness to the already beguiling design of the CLA-Class.

For the beginning, the diesel choice will comprise a single variant: the CLA 220 CDI with 170 hp (worth €36,000 basic price). The CLA 200 CDI with 136 hp will be added to the range in the course of next year. In 2014 comes the CLA 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY boasting a 1.5-litre straight-four diesel engine co-developed with Renault and rated at 109 hp. The same year, the 4MATIC lineup extends with two new models that get the all-wheel-drive platform - the CLA 200 CDI and the CLA 220 CDI.

Read more about the new Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class following the next links:

- On track of CLS and Co.: 2013 premiere for CLA and CLA 45 AMG

- Newly developed 4MATIC all-wheel drive for the new CLA: All-wheel drive for all

Also, take a look at the spy shots captured during a photo session for the new CLA-Class in Los Angeles, USA --> 2013 Mecedes CLA Spyshots

Image Credits: WorldCarFans / GermanCarForum

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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