2012 Mercedes Concept Style (CLA)
Mini four-door coupe based on new A-Class
By Shahzad Sheikh
Extraordinarily sexy little four-door coupe from Mercedes is four-wheel drive and derived from Renault-Nissan alliance.
This is the Mercedes Concept Style Coupe, which could be badged CLA if it goes into production – which actually looks quite likely for 2013, both from its humble architecture and the near production-ready appearance of this ‘concept’.
Mercedes’ new A-Class is a very different car from the last A, and far more attractive, if rather less innovative – gone is the sandwich floor and tall stance. The CLA is touted as a four-door Coupe spin-off from the A, using the platform that will also produce a compact executive car for Infiniti.
This car is closer in size to a BMW 3-series, and features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 208bhp, and the concept gets four-wheel drive and a seven speed dual-clutch transmission – although the architecture is front-wheel drive, so presumably it will be offered as the latter too. There could also be CLA 45 AMG version offering 340bhp – nice!
From the pictures, the interior looks close to production, although perhaps they might offer a bench rear seat.
Inside and outside it is visually stunning though, harking back to the F800 Style concept from 2010, featuring sinewy surfaces and deeply sculpted lines. Yet it’s quite a butch thing as well. This could well be a compact segment winner for Merc.
