Mercedes has trotted out what we are all expecting after seeing the facelifted A-Class in Frankfurt; prototypes for the refreshed CLA sports sedan.
Don’t fret if you fail to find anything remarkably different from the current car as exterior revisions will be restricted to the re-profiled bumpers, the optionally available on base versions and standard on the AMG model, LED headlamps, tweaked grille, and even though they’re not used on the tester, revamped tail light graphics.
The 2016 A-Class hatch that’s not sold in the USA provides useful information for what to expect inside, with the CLA to get better materials, a range of new colors, tweaked instrument panel, and Merc’s latest infotainment system with a larger, 8.0-inch freestanding screen that’s compatible with both Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink on higher trim levels
Just like its compact hatchback sibling, the CLA will benefit from a range of powertrain improvements to lower CO2 emissions and fuel consumption, while the diesel models will follow Benz’s new nomenclature that drops the CDI and Bluetec badges for a plain ‘d’ after their name.
While not yet available in the USA, Mercedes didn’t wait in Europe for the upcoming facelift to give the range-topping CLA 45 AMG the latest A45 AMG’s stronger 2.0-liter turbocharged four with 381PS (376hp) and 475Nm (350 lb-ft) of peak torque – an increase of 21hp and 25Nm respectively. We’ll probably see the tweaked engine on the facelifted CLA 45 AMG here in North America.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
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