Mercedes-Benz CLA

What is it?

Basically, the CLA-Class is a smaller CLS-Class, a coupé take on the age-old C-Class Saloon. At £24,775, the CLA is just over £2,000 cheaper than the C-Class and £21,000 cheaper than the CLS.

I've heard the CLS is available as a Shooting Brake version. What is it, and can you get a CLA Shooting Brake?

If the CLS is a coupé take on a saloon, the Shooting Brake is a coupé take on an estate. And yes, both the CLS and CLA can be specified as a Shooting Brake. But we won't talk about that here.

What powers the CLA?

Petrol power comes in the form of a CLA 180, CLA 250 4MATIC and CLA 45 AMG 4MATIC. They're said to get 50, 45 and 40 mpg respectively. If you opt for the more economical diesels, your options are the CLA 200 CDI, CLA 220 CDI and CLA 220 CDI 4MATIC. The first two are said to get as near as makes no difference 70 mpg, with the latter said to achieve just under 60 mpg. All but entry level CLA 180 and CLA 200 CDI models (6-speed manual) are coupled to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Tell me more about the CLA 45 AMG 4MATIC.

Not only is it available on the Coupé (saloon style), but also the Shooting Brake. Despite acting like a normally-aspirated 4.5-litre engine, the 4-cylinder 2.0-litre unit churns out 360 bhp making it good for 0-62 mph in sprint in 4.6 seconds. Emitting 165 g/km of CO2 and running at a claimed 39.8 mpg, it'll do 155 mph.

What's the standard spec like?

Available in Sport, AMG Sport and OrangeArt trims, the CLA comes as standard with 18-inch alloys and halogen headlights but you can upgrade for AMG design alloys, bi-xenon headlights and rear privacy glass.

And the options list?

You can specify a storage compartment under the front passenger's seat, ambien lighting, heated front seats and a rear armrest. There's plenty of safety kit too like the lane keeping assist and traffic sign assist as well as a reversing camera. Unfortunately, keyless go is on the options list - on such a car I would expect it to be standard on at least the higher-end models. The panoramic sunroof requires some rather deep pockets too, being a £1,000 option.

How would you spec your CLA-Class?