What's the news?
Following on from its sibling A-Class, the Mercedes-Benz CLA and its Shooting Brake derivative are getting a facelift. A few new engine and transmission choices are also brought in, while the monster Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 models get a 381hp powerplant.
Exterior
Now, the A-Class facelift of 2015 was mild and the same is true for the CLA Coupé and Shooting Brake models. What you're looking for on these 2016MY variants is the diamond radiator grille in black as standard, the new front bumper with a trim strip (finished in silver, black or chrome), a reshaped rear bumper that can optionally have another trim strip in chrome (or black on the Night Package) between the tailpipes and exhaust surrounds that are now integrated flush into the back of the car. Five different designs of 18-inch light alloy wheels are offered, with a new five twin-spoke rim on AMG Line available in black or titanium grey, while an additional body colour - Cavansite Blue Metallic - joins the fold. Options include LED High Performance headlamps; choose these and even the rear lights get dimmed to prevent dazzling following vehicles. And that's it. We did say it was a minor facelift...
Over on the Mercedes-AMG front, the basic design of the CLA is tweaked as above but there are a few more points to raise here. Those LED lights, previously optional, are now standard fit and the twin bars in the radiator grille are finished in silver chrome. AMG says it has improved the aerodynamics of both the Coupé and Shooting Brake high-performance models, with the Coupé getting a revised boot lid spoiler. Both 45s have the A-wing lower front bumper design with matte titanium grey inserts and high-gloss black flics, while the rear diffuser has a quartet of vertical fins. The AMG Aerodynamics option package adds a front splitter, more flics, a black AMG lip spoiler at the rear and spoiler lips over the 'simulated air outlets' on either side at the back, while the AMG CLAs also get new alloy wheel designs - 18-inch ten-spoke items or optional 19-inch cross-spoke rims.
Interior
With Mercedes claiming the CLA and CLA Shooting Brake already possessed the latest generation of assistance and safety systems, the main work inside revolves around new seat upholstery, updated trim parts and a slimmer eight-inch freestanding media display system for the centre console. The dials with red needles in the instrument cluster are said to be easier to read and there's a smattering of silver chrome finish around various controls in the cabin. Choose from sail-look finish, matte black ash wood, black Dinamica microfibre or aluminium with honeycomb grain trim elements for the dashboard and door cards.
Mercedes will also boost the tech of the CLA Coupé and Shooting Brake twins by offering Hands-Free Access as an option (with which you can open and close the boot in a keyless and contact free manner by waving your foot near the rear bumper), a trailer coupling facility on AMG Line models, enhanced smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and even the sheer luxury of a pair of coat hooks on the grab handles above each rear side window; steady on, CLA fans, this is only for the Coupé as the Shooting Brake already had this essential functionality.
The AMG models are less noticeably different from their pre-facelift predecessors, as an instrument panel swathed in Artico man-made leather with red contrast top-stitching is about the biggest alteration. An optional AMG Dinamica Cockpit package brings in more trim and a steering wheel clothed in Dinamica microfibre, while the ignition key and gear select lever both bear AMG emblems.
Mechanicals
A lot of the engines and drivetrains are carry-over, so let's talk about the newcomers only. The efficiency champion is the 109hp/260Nm CLA 180 d BlueEfficiency Edition, which uses the 1.5-litre turbodiesel and some consumption-reducing measures to return 3.5 litres/100km (80.7mpg) as a Coupé and 3.6 litres/100km (78.5mpg) as a Shooting Brake. Those numbers equate to CO2 emissions of just 89- and 94g/km for the four- and five-door CLAs respectively; you can have the 180 d without the BlueEfficiency suffix, but the eco-stats rise to at least 3.7 litres/100km (76.3mpg) and 98g/km for the Coupé, and 3.9 litres/100km (72.4mpg) and 101g/km for the Shooting Brake. Any 180 d, BE Edition or not, takes 11.6 seconds to get from 0-100km/h (11.9 seconds for the Shooting Brake); top speeds are 190km/h for both BE versions, 205km/h for the 180 d Coupé and 200km/h for the Shooting Brake.
The CLA 220 2.0-litre petrol, with 184hp and 300Nm, now comes with 4Matic all-wheel drive. Paired to a seven-speed 7G-DCT automatic gearbox, 0-100km/h takes 7.1 seconds (7.2 seconds for the Shooting Brake) and the top speed is 240km/h (235km/h for the Shooting Brake), while consumption/emissions run 6.5 litres/100km (43.5mpg) and 152g/km CO2 for the Coupé and 6.7 litres/100km (42.2mpg) and 154g/km for the Shooting Brake. Meanwhile, on the Shooting Brake side of things only, the CLA 180 BlueEfficiency Edition petrol is added, with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine making 122hp and 200Nm. Consumption is as low as 5.5 litres/100km (51.4mpg) and CO2 stands at 126g/km; this engine was previously only found in the Coupé. The final note on the regular powerplants, before we look at the AMG variants, is that the CLA 200 d and 220 d models still use the old 2.1-litre, OM651 diesel - they haven't yet got the new 2.0-litre OM654 as seen in the latest E-Class.
So, the performance models. There are two versions of the petrol CLA 250, the 'regular' motor with 211hp and 350Nm, or the Sport iteration that increases the horsepower by seven to 218hp. Choosing the more powerful unit trims 0-100km/h times by a tenth, to 6.5 seconds for the Coupé and 6.7 seconds for the 4Matic-only Shooting Brake, although it does nothing to the estate's 240km/h top speed; Sport, however, does increase the Coupé's maximum by 10km/h to 250km/h flat out.
However, the best mechanical news is saved until last. The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 and CLA 45 Shooting Brake cars, both 4Matics, get the uprated 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo as seen in the A 45 of last year, meaning peak outputs of 381hp at 6,000rpm and 475Nm from 2,250- to 5,000rpm. That's enough to punch the four-door to 100km/h in just 4.2 seconds with the wagon not too far behind at 4.3 seconds, with a limited top speed of 250km/h on both. Fuel consumption is quoted as 6.9 litres/100km (40.9mpg) and CO2 emissions are 162g/km for both cars. New features on top of the additional firepower include AMG Dynamic Select transmission modes, shorter gear ratios in the AMG Speedshift DCT seven-speed gearbox and the option of a mechanical differential lock if you opt for the Dynamic Plus Package.
Anything else?
The facelifted CLA Coupé will debut at the New York Auto Show at the end of March; the Shooting Brake will be unveiled a little later, in Berlin in mid-April. Please note that we have not yet received Irish pricing, specifications or range details so some of the above may differ for the Irish market.