The fifth member of Mercedes’ front-wheel drive compact family has been officially confirmed, and it’s the CLA Shooting Brake. Obviously, the car wasn’t exactly a secret, but Mercedes announced that the model will go on sale early 2015, publicly admitting for the first time that it is producing the estate version of the CLA.
The CLA Shooting Brake will add to the existing A-Class hatchback, CLA sedan, GLA crossover and B-Class MPV as the brand’s fifth front-wheel drive compact model. The design of the CLA Shooting Brake will feature design cues from the CLS Shooting Brake and the CLA sedan, with which it will share the mechanical platform.
This means the CLA Shooting Brake will be powered by turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, mated to six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmissions. It will be available either as a front-wheel drive model or with the 4Matic four-wheel drive system.
As spy shots have shown, Mercedes-Benz will also offer a range-topping CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake with 355 hp (360 PS) from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The CLA Shooting Brake is part of the brand’s plan to launch ten all-new models between 2012 and 2020. The first was the CLS Shooting Brake, followed by the CLA and GLA. The CLA Shooting Brake, AMG GT sports car and ML Coupe will follow. Mercedes-Benz is also expected to launch four new variants of the S-Class, including two extended-wheelbase limousines and a convertible version of the S-Class Coupe, as well as an all-new GLK crossover.
By Dan Mihalascu
Story References: Autoexpress
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