Don't Miss

Mercedes-Benz releases new coupe CLA-Class for Nigeria

By BusinessNews Staff on May 21, 2015

Mercedes-Benz hopes to attract a younger generation of Nigerian customers as it introduces its new sporty and compact CLA-Class to the country’s auto market.

Westerstar Associates, the authorised distributor of the Mercedes-Benz brand of vehicles in Nigeria, says it is set to introduce the four-door coupe with its ‘breathtaking sporty proportions’ to the market.

The firm says in a statement that the car’s cockpit has been “patterned after those in the Mercedes’ sporty cars, with round vents punctuating the dash.”

It says drivers and passengers are bound to be drawn to its prominent features such as the bonnet embedded in the front end with power domes and the diamond radiator grille.

With optimum fuel consumption, low emissions and the world’s best Cd value for a series production vehicle of 0.22, the CLA-Class appears to have set new benchmarks in efficiency in the medium-size category.

The Chairman, Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz cars, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, says, “The CLA is a car that does not confuse mid-range with mediocrity. Its powerful design underscores the sporty side of the Mercedes-Benz brand.”

Exterior

The firm says the car’s light modules and LEDs behind the headlamp cover-glass have been arranged in a way to create a “flare effect” for the daytime driving lights and indicators. This shapes the new Mercedes face.

The gently sloping roof contour and the pronounced, hallmark curvature of the rear window are said to provide the CLA with a coupé-style character from the rear.

It says, “The athletic impression from the rear results from the drawn-in C-pillars in conjunction with the shoulder muscle over the rear wheel arch linings. The tail lights are framed by the muscular lines of the shoulders which extend into the rear end, the horizontal orientation of the lights emphasising the rear’s powerful and aesthetic breadth.

“A large panoramic sliding sunroof is optionally available. This sunroof consists of a fixed polycarbonate cover at the front, a moving element made of mineral crystal and side trims to match the glass look.”

Interior

The interior design also contributes to the special feel of car, especially through the selection of high quality and well-blended materials.

The CLA is fitted with integral seats in the front and rear, underscoring its sporty character. The rear bench seat emphasises the outer seats (2+1-seater).

Coloured contrasting stitching is also available, according to the selected interior appointment options. A fibre-optic cable in the opening between head restraint and backrest is optionally available as part of the ambient lighting.

The standard equipment of the new CLA-Class is particularly generous with its air conditioning, three-spoke multifunction steering wheel plus 12 function buttons, steering column adjustable in height and longitudinal direction, green-tinted heat-insulating glass.

Engine performance

The CLA is available with high-torque turbo engines, sports suspension and the optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive, keeping with its sporty positioning.

For the CLA 180, the petrol engine displacement of 1.6 litres, covers an output spectrum of 90 kW (122 hp) and 200Nm of torque.

The CLA-Class can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 9.3 seconds and has a top speed of up to 210km/h. The fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures of 5.4 l/100 km,

“All engines feature the ECO start/stop function as standard. The engines are combined with a six-speed manual transmission or with the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission, which reconciles comfort and sportiness in inimitable fashion,” the firm says.

Safety

One of its standard safety features is that it carries a new Collision Prevention Assist function, using radar. The CLA can alert the driver of upcoming obstacles when it is travelling at more than 4mph, and can calculate the amount of brake force needed to avoid an impact.

Also standard are its attention assist and its coffee-cup reminder to pull over and avoid drowsy driving, and a driver knee airbag.

Its safety options are adaptive cruise control; blind-spot monitors; lane-keeping assistance; and parking sensors with parking assist.

Infotainment

The CLA Class comes with standard Bluetooth, cruise control, a power driver seat, and MB-Tex upholstery, according to an online auto journal, the Car Connection. It also sports the latest smartphone connectivity functions via Mercedes-Benz’s mbrace2.

Weststar lists other features of the car as audio 20 CD radio with dual tuner, colour display and MP3- WMA- AAC-capable CD drive, six speakers as well as Aux-in socket and USB interface in the centre armrest for external audio and video devices.

[Punch]

headline