Mercedes CLA compact sedan debuts at Detroit in January 2013
Now, Mercedes-benz-passion.com reports that the CLA’s world debut is stated to happen at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2013.
The Mercedes CLA is essentially a production version of the Concept Style Coupe (CSC). It is an entry level coupe that will sit below the Mercedes C Class. It is based on the Mercedes MFA architecture that supports the new A and B Class.
Mercedes plans to load it up with technologies such as as 4MATIC all-wheel drive, panoramic glass roof and smartphone docking facility.
A lot of the CLA's components, especially of the interior, come from the A and B Class cars, such as digital display and air con vents on the dashboard shown in the image.
The engine options will be derived from the A and B Class line up. There will also be a CLA 45 AMG version with 354 hp and 450 Nm of torque in the future.
If all goes well, the CLA could see a pan India debut with a sticker price of 18-20 lakhs. MB India will use the same procedure for deploying this car across India - launch as a CBU, and later localize components and assemble cars, to offer a wide variety of variants.
It would be interesting to see how the Mercedes CLA could affect the sales of regular luxury cars such as Skoda Superb and Honda Accord.
[Source: blog.mercedes-benz-passion.com]