Motoring: Mercedes CLA can offer spaciousness with added spice
THE estate – or touring – cars produced by Mercedes have always found a ready market among buyers keen to enjoy the combination of a dynamic driving experience with the practicality of added load space.
In fact many drivers will opt for the estate over the traditional off-roader because they prefer the handling of the road car over a 4×4 – all without having to compromise on luggage space.
When the German manufacturer launched its four-door CLA last year, many buyers were attracted to its coupe looks with four-door practicality. Now the company has gone a stage further and is offering the CLA in full estate guise – or to give it its proper designation, the Shooting Brake.
The lower overall height and the elongated coupé-style roof contour line remain, giving the car a distinctive profile – and for taller passengers, the benefit of extra headroom.
The CLA Shooting Brake will initially be available with a choice of two diesel and three petrol engines as well as with 4MATIC all-wheel drive. It goes on sale in January 2015, with the first models going to customers towards the end of March.
Ola Källenius, Mercedes board member responsible for sales and marketing, said: “The new CLA Shooting Brake is the latest member of our successful family of compact models. The range, which now includes five models, covers an extremely wide spectrum: with the spacious B-Class sports tourer, the youthfully dynamic A-Class, the avant-garde CLA-Class Coupé and the compact GLA-Class SUV, we cater for a host of different customer wishes in this segment.
“Like its big brother, the CLS Shooting Brake, the CLA Shooting Brake is targeted at active customers who are looking outside of the mainstream for a car that impresses with a high utility value.”
This spaciousness is one of the strengths of the Shooting Brake. The load compartment offers a capacity that ranges from 495 to 1,354 litres when fully loaded. If the rear seats are moved into the more steeply raked “cargo” position, then the load capacity increases to 595 litres while still leaving space for five occupants.
The width of the luggage compartment, at up to 1328 mm, makes the car a leader in its segment. Clever little details include the magnetic catch on the loading flap in the rear-seat backrest for long items, such as skis.
Options such as the electrically operated EASY-PACK tailgate or the Load Compartment package can be added to make the vehicle even more user-friendly. Apart from the “cargo” positioning option for the rear-seat backrests, the Load Compartment package includes a collapsible box, a 12 V socket and an additional stowage net at the side of the load compartment.
The engine range is extensive right from the base model and comprises two diesel and three petrol units. The CLA 200 CDI, with an output of 100 kW (136 hp), is particularly efficient: it has a top speed of 215 km/h and a combined consumption figure of just 3.9 l/100 km, with emissions of 101 g CO2/km.
All versions are equipped as standard with the ECO start/stop function and are Euro 6-compliant.
All-wheel drive versions will be available from the model’s launch, initially in the CLA 250 4MATIC and CLA 250 Sport 4MATIC. Diesel variants in the form of the CLA 200 CDI 4MATIC and CLA 220 CDI 4MATIC will follow in September 2015.
For those who like a little more spice, there will be the CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake. With an output of 265 kW (360 hp) and peak torque of 450 Newton metres, the 2.0-litre turbo engine is the world’s most powerful four-cylinder engine in series production.
Tobias Moers, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG, said: “The continued high demand for our high-power compact models more than justifies our decision to launch another exceptionally dynamic high-performance car.
“This means that Mercedes-AMG now boasts the most varied model line-up in this segment. The CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake serves up an enthralling blend of supreme power and dynamic handling on the one hand plus efficiency and everyday practicality on the other, all beautifully packaged within an extraordinary design.”
The fourth high-performance compact car from Mercedes-AMG adopts the same philosophy as the successful CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake by offering enthusiastic drivers the opportunity to merge sports car handling with five seats and a large tailgate.
The car, which features the most powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the world, will be capable of generating 133 kW (181 hp) per litre of displacement, catapulting the CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake from standstill to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. At the same time, Mercedes claims the fuel consumption will be just 6.9 litres for every 100 km.
The list of technical highlights also includes the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission, fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive, a powerful braking system and a chassis that has been purpose-developed, from the tuning set-up right through to the axles.
The CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake will make its show debut in March 2015 at the Geneva International Motor Show to coincide with its market launch.
Supercar buyers illustrate north-south divide
TRUTH – as if it were really needed – of the economic gap between the north and south of the UK has been graphically illustrated in a new survey.
Luxury car funding firm Oracle Finance has found the number of supercar buyers in the south of the UK is more than double that of those in the north – really, who would have thought it?
Oracle has delved into its deal history from the last 12 months and has found that 48% of its buyers came from the affluent south, compared to just 20% from the north.
As for the bit in the middle, Oracle Finance – which provides funding for supercars like the Ferrari 458 and McLaren 650S and luxury vehicles like the Range Rover – found that buyers the Midlands bought as many new cars as those in the north, with 20% of the firm’s deals completed in the central region.
Buyers in Scotland bought 6% of the supercars funded by Oracle, while nearly 4% headed to Wales. Less than 1% went to Ireland.
“The north south divide has been clearly demonstrated by our data on the super car finance deals we’ve arranged around the UK,” said Peter Brook, managing director of Oracle Finance.
“For years there have been reports of the difference in house prices and wages between the north and the south and now our figures demonstrate that there is a distinct difference when it comes to luxury car purchases too.
“We were shocked at just how much of a difference there was though – we weren’t expecting the south to account for more than double the north’s supercar purchases.”
In the south the top five areas for super car sales were London, Surrey, Essex, Berkshire and Middlesex.
In the north the most sales were in West Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire, North Yorkshire and South Yorkshire.
“The good people of Yorkshire certainly like their supercars, but the finance packages we arranged there were nowhere near the numbers we arranged in the south,” added Mr Brook.
“The figures really are clear – those in the south seem to have the desire and the spare capital to put down a deposit on the car of their dreams and pay for the competitive finance packages we arrange.”
Oracle Finance is now opening new offices in London to cope with the increased demand for luxury cars in the City.
Odd then that its head office should be Knaresborough.
JLR named most trustworthy OEM
JAGUAR LAND ROVER has become used to winning awards in recent years but its latest plaudit is particularly significant.
The company has been named the most trustworthy OEM in a study conducted by global information and analytics provider, IHS Automotive. The unique global survey allows automotive suppliers to rate carmakers on a range of key criteria.
The SuRe index established by IHS Automotive, is an annual study of the automotive supply industry and, since its inception, has included participation of more than 1,000 senior to middle managers working at automotive suppliers that liaise directly with OEMs. The index is based across five categories: profit potential, trust, pursuit of excellence in 2014, organisation and outlook.
JLR came first in two of the five categories – profit potential and trustworthiness, with treatment of supplier intellectual property and responsiveness in considering supplier technology being cited as particular strengths. The areas assessed also included quality and stability volume planning, price reduction and keeping agreements on price.
Furthermore, Jaguar Land Rover’s rating was the company’s best yet. Its overall score of 602 was a 11.7% improvement overall on the prior year and 98 above the average SuRe index rating.
Ensuring the UK supply chain is amongst the most competitive in the world is a priority for JLR as it seeks to grow its global business. Investment to uplift skills, capacity and capability will ensure UK suppliers are able to capitalise on the growth in this evolving sector.
Currently, JLR has more than 2,500 suppliers and supports an estimated total of 190,000 jobs in the UK supply chain, dealer network and wider economy.
Commenting on the study, Ian Harnett, Director of Purchasing – JLR, said: “Jaguar Land Rover has ambitious plans for growth which will see the introduction of new and refreshed product lines. Our ability to deliver these products to market lies with the ability of our suppliers to deliver quality components in volume. The suppliers’ view is testament to the responsive manner in which we work, and we are proud to have achieved the highest ratings ever in the history of the OEM study on suppliers’ view of Jaguar Land Rover’s long term outlook.”
Elsewhere, the company has scooped two further trophies by being named the winner in two prestigious categories of the Scottish Car of the Year Awards 2014.
The Jaguar F-Type sports car beat stiff competition in the Coupé category, while in the newly introduced category for the motor industry’s best design and innovation, the Jaguar XE was named the winner. The award was presented to Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum.
Drive safely.
