Yes, an AMG EPA Rated at 23/31 MPG

[MTI]

2014 Mercedes CLA45 AMG EPA-Rated 31 MPG, 0-60 MPH in 4.2 Seconds - Motor Trend WOT

At $50,000 . . . wow.

The U.S. will likely become the low-volume CLA45 AMG's top market. Eventually, the car will do battle with the 2015 Audi S3 sedan. The 2014 Subaru WRX STI and 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo -- two all-wheel-drive sporty cars at the very end of their production runs -- get on the highway the mileage the new CLA45 AMG gets in the city. With the 2015 Subaru WRX debuting later this month, we'll soon find out just how efficient the next-generation four-door will be.

[Jim B.]

Plus the brand equity is being squandered on this little thing, built to a price point. You too, can be driving a brand new Mercedes Benz for just $29, 900! CHEAP in both the literal and pejorative sense.


Nein danke...

[Ara T.]

AWD = wrong wheel drive?

Also... cough*190E*cough

[MTI]

Originally Posted by Ara T.

AWD = wrong wheel drive?

Also... cough*190E*cough

I agree, Jim is usually sharper than that, confusing the CLA250 with the AMG CLA45 . . . the highest HP four cylinder production engine ever, with AWD.

BTW, the 1987 2.3-16 in US trim had a sticker price of just over $40K. This CLA45 is a bargain by comparison.

[nate300d]

[QUOTE=Jim B.;3241057]
So well put.

[ruchase]

That transverse mounted 4-cyl looks completely out of place with a mercedes badge on it. Wrong on every level.

[nate300d]

Originally Posted by Ara T.

AWD = wrong wheel drive?

Also... cough*190E*cough

Originally Posted by MTI

I agree, Jim is usually sharper than that, confusing the CLA250 with the AMG CLA45 . . . the highest HP four cylinder production engine ever, with AWD.

BTW, the 1987 2.3-16 in US trim had a sticker price of just over $40K. This CLA45 is a bargain by comparison.

Really?!?! I loved my 190 2.3 with its 5-speed. Wish I had it back.

[MTI]

Originally Posted by ruchase

That transverse mounted 4-cyl looks completely out of place with a mercedes badge on it. Wrong on every level.

"Purist" said the same thing about the W201 190E. Where are they now?

[POS]

I like the new cars, but the $50k dollars will be $30k in 1.5 years, then $15k in 2 more.

[MTI]

Originally Posted by POS

I like the new cars, but the $50k dollars will be $30k in 1.5 years, then $15k in 2 more.

Depreciation goes without saying with any new car. Consider what happens to a brand new Maserati the first three years. It's pretty ugly.

[ruchase]

Originally Posted by MTI

"Purist" said the same thing about the W201 190E. Where are they now?

Yes, but the 190e still embodied the bigger benz's attributes with regard to powerplant and driveline...here, the CLA has just gone in a totally different direction and seemingly shares nothing in common with the rest of MB's lineup, except for exterior plastics.

[MTI]

I disagree somewhat . . . totally different for the US, since the A and B Class have been selling in the rest of the world, including Canada, for years. The jury is still out whether the car will hurt the "luxury" branding here in the US, but I think of it as a way of breaking out of that box by offering quality products across a wider range of buyers. The "luxury" thing in the US has prevented us from getting manual transmissions, diesels, and estates. It has also linked Mercedes-Benz with an image of being for the AARP demographic.

[engatwork]

I like the new cars, but the $50k dollars will be $30k in 1.5 years, then $15k in 2 more.

That is the way I'm looking at it.

The benchmark in front wheel drive (only), engine sits sideways cars, in my opinion, is Honda. We can only hope that MB took a hard look at the Honda and designed theirs even better and not necessarily in an "electronics" way.

Anyone want to take bets on who the luxury car maker that brings the first turbo three to market will be?

[nate300d]

Originally Posted by engatwork

That is the way I'm looking at it.

The benchmark in front wheel drive (only), engine sits sideways cars, in my opinion, is Honda. We can only hope that MB took a hard look at the Honda and designed theirs even better and not necessarily in an "electronics" way.

Anyone want to take bets on who the luxury car maker that brings the first turbo three to market will be?

I do remember in 2006 driving a new Accord. It was very silky smooth. Then 30 minutes later drove a new Buick LaCross. It felt so 90's. The price of the 2 was similar, but that was the only place where they were similar.

[ruchase]

Originally Posted by MTI

I disagree somewhat . . . totally different for the US, since the A and B Class have been selling in the rest of the world, including Canada, for years. The jury is still out whether the car will hurt the "luxury" branding here in the US, but I think of it as a way of breaking out of that box by offering quality products across a wider range of buyers. The "luxury" thing in the US has prevented us from getting manual transmissions, diesels, and estates. It has also linked Mercedes-Benz with an image of being for the AARP demographic.

Valid point - I didn't even think about the A and B class MBs...

If this change leads to opening up the MB USA market for more "euro" type offerings like manual transmissions & diesels, then it may very well turn out to be a good strategic move. It is disappointing to see the MB variants available outside the US, while we're stuck with the senior specials.