The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA coupe was revealed this week and the German brand is promising a vast amount of changes with new technology, improved driving dynamics and automotive intelligence.
Here are the top five things the new CLA has to offer.
MBUX interior assist
The new CLA will feature Mercedes-Benz’s recently launched MBUX interior assist. It includes, a full colour head-up display, navigation with augmented reality and software that includes the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice command. The new MBUX system allows the virtual assistant to answer more complex queries, while the system will no longer be affected by other passengers conversing as the system will only respond to the last person who said ‘Hey Mercedes’. The MBUX interior assist is also very intuitive, as passengers are able to switch off interior lights just by waving their hand over the rear view mirror, and the ‘navigate me home’ command can identify who is operating the car’s infotainment system before working out which address to put into the navigation.
Multibeam LED headlamps
Mercedes-Benz are saying the CLA has automotive intelligence, one example of this is the new multibeam LED headlamps which improve visibility in all conditions. The CLA has 18 individual controllable LEDs in its headlamps that allow quick and precise adjustments to help different traffic situations. The CLA is also available with high-performance LED headlights as an optional extra.
See available CLA dealsLarger Dimensions
The second generation CLA is longer and wider than the model it replaces. Being 48mm longer and 53mm wider, as well as being 2mm lower, the new CLA is bigger than a BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. With the car being slightly lower than before and having a lower centre of gravity, the car is expected to handle better than its predecessor.
Intelligent Drive
The new CLA has borrowed driving technology from the S-Class luxury limousine. Intelligent drive consists of semi autonomy for certain traffic situations, improved cameras and radars with radiuses of up to 500 metres, as well as active distance assist as an option with the driving assistance package. The package helps the driver on journeys with satellite navigation, as the system can adjust the speed when coming up to bends, junctions and roundabouts.
Active lane keep assist applies a pulsating feeling through the steering wheel to keep the driver alert if the car begins to drift out of its lane on the motorway, with the car pulling back into lane with the application of the brakes on one side.
Engines
A range of updated petrol and diesel powerplants will be available, with the most powerful being the 225bhp 2.0-litre petrol currently fitted in the A-Class. Later on, you will be able to get a CLA 45, which is rumoured to have around 400bhp, combined with a 0-60mph time of under four seconds. All engines will have an automatic gearbox as well a choice of front or four-wheel drive.