CLA (C117) [Spyshots] 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA coupe (spyshots & info)

[trader1]

was hoping today was April 1 because from what I see so far that is just a joke... a major abortion. Thought the A class was an improvement over the CLS but this is a major step backwards...

 

[fortuner]

I like.......

 

[Human]

I think it's supposed to be a Mini CLS. CLS+A= CLA.

Concept Style Coupe previewed the CLA.

http://www.germancarforum.com/community/threads/official-mercedes-benz-concept-style-coupe.44176/

That's the thing right there!^ The car we all have been dreaming about and I for one hope and prayed the CLA was going to be!

And aahh, now!? See that's the problem with f-en Concept Cars, they just make final production products seem bland by comparison.

So then the production version leaves me...meh. I hoped for so much more...life is life I guess = reality's a bitch!

Your concept was bad publicity/marketing for the final product Daimler...anti-climax, you fellow male members knows all to well how this can be interpreted hie-hie

 

[Pagani]

Yes, the concept writes a check the real deal cannot cash. It looks like someone machine dried the CLS (and even the new speculated S design). The front wheel-well jutting into the A-pillar is an instant eye-sore, and the huge headlamps only accentuate the huge overhang somehow. My 2012 Elantra sedan is a far better resolved FWD design. Sorry to say I expected more from Mercedes.

 

[Sunny]

MB's design motto seems to be cramp as many presently popular design ideas into a given space as possible...

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Eh, you guys are whinging for nothing.

With all the AMG added hoopla, sure this variant may be looking a bit over the top in these photos, but mark my words, the A and CLA are going to bring a whole new generation of buyers into the MB fold.

Like it or not the MB image is much much 'older' than BMW and AUDI, and simply offering a shrunken versions of their larger cars would have done nothing to overcome this. Audi get's away with it because they are the 'cool and upcoming' and BMW is getting away with it for now simply based on their legacy (they wouldn't dare turn out another questionable 1 though).

No one would for an instance would doubt that when you ask the average young joe on the street about BMW they'll say it's 'sporty'. You ask the same fellow about Mercedes and they'll say it's 'nice but for older people'. Hence MB has no choice but to go all out and make a statement. And it appears to be working from the general consensus I'm hearing from people out of this forum.

 

[941benz]

This car needs emergency facelift.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

I think it looks stunning.

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

What's with that sharp crease in the middle of the body design? What is that suppose to signify? It looks hideous. I love how aggressive the AMG pack makes this car look.

 

[ZicZachZo]

Okay, I finally get what this car is intended for: the American market. Gotta say, it looks like shite. Not elegant, a big mess. The design language is barely acceptable on the A-Class and here they've tried to throw in the CLS and A design language and it looks like a tiny toy car that a 4-year-old would play with. Not impressed Mercedes.

 

[BKK-ES]

Even though it looks just fine but it's a big disappointment. MB just ruins my dream. Why the had to make such a good looking concept car and destroy it. And those headlights!!!!!!!! It looks OK in hatchback form but not in this. I hold my order on F30 just for this? My big mistake.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Wholey cow! ....


New 1 series now has a friend.

 

[Human]

I have posted my view and concerns about the CLA on this page YET:

CLA will ALWAYS be a better proposition than...It's a Benz and its GERMAN!

And I hope it outsells all of them 10/1

 

[K-A]

Looked great to me at first instance but no, apart from that i don't think it's anything but another MB with random lines all over it. Toned down A3 and 1er you might say, but I tend to think that "toned down" designs shows that those manufacturers are more confident of their design, the design language, the thing that it is trying to convey. Just look at MB, come on, it is all over the place, there still isn't one design theme it relies on... with these models you have the new grille just copied everywhere, and a BMW inspired hood design, and lights that are so bling bling.. yes it stands out but that's it, there is not much depth to it imo.and just look at how it is so intentionally made to look aggressive.. .V.

Take a look at the iPhone, from the original version to the 4, it never looked bling, never had anything too sharp to it (in terms of exterior design), and you see others trying hard to make phones of different shapes and colours with nice lit buttons.. the confidence, when you've got confidence you won't do too much.

I don't think the A-class looks too good either, the proportions and lines are crap imo, but it's a good thing that they thought of using this new grille, which traditionally were only applied on SPORTS models, is now making its way onto every model. To me i think this killed a bit of history, but OK at least it looks ok but those stupid lines on the body, no.

Totally agreed.

I can't even begin on this design, but I told everybody that the real thing would look far less "grand" than the Concept.

The proportions are hideous, showing M-B is truly green at a fashionable-yet-FWD design. The front overhang is HUGE, and the HUGE headlights further accentuate that.

The side lines.... oh those side lines. Preposterous. They don't even look straightly carved, they actually *look* like clay. The car has SO many different and confused elements, so many wayward motions, and that rear bumper, WTF?! It looks like some generic kiddy "rice rocket" stereotype with those vents and stance. There's not a clean and uncluttered surface on the car, like M-B literally crammed every single disjointed trend they can think of into it.

My annoyance is so grand that it's forced me to question whether or not these designers who clearly lack true confidence while trying to mask that by looking fully narcissistic, truly designed something as well as I've thought they did in my beloved E-Class. To put it shortly: My distaste has put the brakes on my long honeymoon period with the car. Does that make sense? Not really, but it's how "over it" I am with this design team in charge of the M-B ship.

 

[941benz]

Car looks so much better with camouflage on. If I had to drive one of this cars I whould have to put camouflage on a car. I'm sure that car will look a lot better in real life, even on normal pictures. Spy pictures always look awkward because they are taken from far away and zoomed 100 times.

 

[K-A]

LOL. I said the same thing (prediction) about the S-Class. The only way new M-B's look clean and nice is with chamo. When they come off, all those distracting and messy/unresolved lines and surfaces just jar the eyes and throw everything off.... IMO.

 

[soulless]

not so good for me...thought it will be better...looks like an older Subaru WRX for me..will buy a Passat CC - the old one..

 

[marley71]

I was looking forward to this....not anymore. My caveat is always that I wan't seriously looking to buy it anyway.

On second thoughts I think that the non-AMG version without that ridiculous back bumper and those gaping fangs up front might be better resolved. Still don't like the size of the headlights. Just too big. In essence it's a beautiful shape. I never understand why people don't worship at the altar of simplicity.

 

[as7920]

OFFICIAL PIC??

Interesting tweet by MB UK seems to suggest this is the new CLA:

http://www.twitpic.com/au5gz1

 

[SKY]

Just a CLS