CLA (C117) [Official] 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG

[Giannis]

Truth to be told, its dimensions and overhangs, should make me instantly hate it. After all, it goes against all of my virtues. But for some strange reason I do like it a lot, even though I should not. I believe that despite the problem (overhangs and dimensions) that the designers had to work with, they did a great job. I still have to see a CLA, AMG or not, in flesh, though.

 

[chonkoa]

I am not digging it.

 

[Star&Car]

I adore it especially from this angle.

 

[Sunny]

But how is it any different from the normal CLA except for quad exhaust and black trim instead of silver -

 

[mini_cooper4]

They are TOTALLY different you are just blind...

 

[Padi]

What the fck is that thing? Looks bloody awful TBH, would look good as a shooting brake, but that..

Ehh.... Noooo. No.

 

[mini_cooper4]

^ YES!

 

[Levi68]

A 45 AMG > CLA 45 AMG

Side-profile is the worst I've ever seen, well as French cars. It may looks better life, but front-overhang is still way too long.

 

[Merc1]

You guys are really caught up on something that will rarely matter in real life with the car. Unless you have a long walk to your car from the side everyday. That front overhang will be matterless in real life.

M

 

[Giannis]

You guys are really caught up on something that will rarely matter in real life with the car. Unless you have a long walk to your car from the side everyday. That front overhang will be matterless in real life.

M

I respectfully disagree.

The front overhand has a direct relation with the overal proportions of the car. A large front overhand means that the front wheels are closer to the A pillar, thus killing the long-bonnet, cabin towards the back effect of most RWD cars, which, truth to be told, is a great result. The issue is not the overhand, as I see it. The issue is how high one values the "RWD proportions".

Personally, I do value them quite high, but when time comes to compromise, I can sacrifice it for good value-for-money total.

 

[Merc1]

I respectfully disagree.

The front overhand has a direct relation with the overal proportions of the car. A large front overhand means that the front wheels are closer to the A pillar, thus killing the long-bonnet, cabin towards the back effect of most RWD cars, which, truth to be told, is a great result. The issue is not the overhand, as I see it. The issue is how high one values the "RWD proportions".

Personally, I do value them quite high, but when time comes to compromise, I can sacrifice it for good value-for-money total.

Agree to disagree. Its a FWD based car, at some point everyone is going to have to get over it. Like I said, unless you're walking to the car from the side all the time, an you're like 4ft tall you won't see it from the angle of the worst pics presented here. The front overhang IMO isn't the problem with the car, having seen it in person, the regular CLA.

M

 

[Pagani]

You guys are really caught up on something that will rarely matter in real life with the car. Unless you have a long walk to your car from the side everyday. That front overhang will be matterless in real life.

M

But I will know all the time that it is there and it will bug me. I am buying a MB, therefore expect a profile that is better than an Elantra. If not caring about this, they may as well not shop MB at all.

 

[Merc1]

But I will know all the time that it is there and it will bug me. I am buying a MB, therefore expect a profile that is better than an Elantra. If not caring about this, they may as well not shop MB at all.

Then this Mercedes isn't for you guys. I don't know what you want them to do here lol. Really, there are so many things I don't like about today's Mercedes compared to 20 years ago, but it is what it is. I think you all need to see this car in person and out on the road.

M

 

[Wolfgang]

The CLA 45 AMG might sport the larger brakes?

Mercedes AMG http://www.mercedes-amg.com

 

[HighestOfHigh]

^^I totally agree with this!

 

[Levi68]

Everytime I see a Peugeot I vomit because of the long front overhang. No it has nothing to do with RWD proportions. When the rear overhang is too long it is not good either. There has to be a balance. The MINI is FWD and has very good proportions. So FWD argument is not totally correct. I think my Alfa is beautiful but I freaking hate the long front overhang. I'll say the same for the the next generation 1 Series, unless BMW gets that correct, and even the 6 Series and SL have a long front overhang, being RWD. Well, sure that is only my opinion, and IMO CLA suffers from this more than the A.

This looks OK.

 

[Tarek]

^Oh shit, good then I didn't post the bit about how this car reminds me of a dog pooping

No..no..the above pic is reserved for the A7..sorry Tumbo.

 

[martinbo]

^ The CLA wishes it had 10% of the A7's style and grace.

 

[Sunny]

No..no..the above pic is reserved for the A7..sorry Tumbo.

I am no fan of A7's rear end either, but it is not fundamentally disproportionate the way CLA is. It seriously reminds me of a dog taking a dump, like it is about to tip over on it's nose or ass. It is like they put the CLS body in a vice grip squeezed it, but it is still 2 sizes too big for that wheelbase.

I don't know what you want them to do here lol.
M

I know market forces compel them to make a FWD car and I am fine with A class, which is a proper FWD based hatch. I would have also been fine if they put a normal 3 box body on A class. But here, they went for style over substance and got neither. IMHO.

 

[Merc1]

^ I think the market is going to disagree with you on that Sunny.

M