Mercedes-Benz has renewed the CLA-Class. Most economical 2016 Mercedes CLA will consume only 3.5 liters of diesel per hundred kilometers. The CLA Shooting Brake version will follow shortly, it will be shown at the Laureus World Sports Awards 2016 on April 17th in Berlin, Germany.

Time flies. It seems like yesterday when we had an opportunity to review the 2013 Mercedes CLA-Class, a vehicle with a record low air resistance. Today it’s time to refresh the offer. The renovation covered both body styles, sedan and shooting brake.

The designers have paid much attention to the shape of the bumpers, which now even more reflect the sporty character. Radiator grille of all CLA’s will be decorated with the so-called diamond pattern. Minor changes were made on the rear end with  bumper-integrated exhaust pipes. In this revision Mercedes also prepared new sets of rims for the CLA-Class family, among other things it is possible to choose between five different 18-inch products) and a new metallic blue color – blue canvasite.

2016 Mercedes CLA will be available with LED headlights

The cabin has gained a new seat cover and chromed decorations on certain buttons and switches. The biggest novelty is thinner 8-inch digital screen, which will understand the main operating systems of mobile phones (Apple car play and Android auto). The Mercedes CLA usefulness will be increased with hands-free tailgate opening (kicking below the vehicle) for both body styles and in the case of shooting brake also an automatic closure (for which the buyer will have to opt in for the smart key addition).

Mercedes CLA achieved the highest standards in the field of assistance systems already before the facelift in this vehicle class, in which Mercedes, also thanks to this model, has already sold more than four million vehicles. Among serial equipment remains the collision prevention system (active brake assist) with autonomous braking to reduce the chances of a collision.

The title of the most efficient version after facelift goes to the Mercedes CLA 180d blue efficiency with 109 hp, which will be available only with a manual transmission. Its consumption is projected to be only 3.5 or 3.6 liters (sedan / station wagon) per 100 kilometers. The quantity CO2 emitted, however, should not exceed 89 grams per kilometer.

Four-wheel drive will now also be available in the petrol version of the CLA 220 with a two-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower. Newcomer in the gasoline Shooting brake range (until now only available to customers of four-door coupe) is downsized 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 122 hp and 5.5-liter consumption.

The cherry on the cake – Mercedes CLA AMG

Face-lifted CLA AMG variants are equipped with LED headlights as standard. For improved driving performance and lower drag coefficient the designers played with the details. Therefore, the design of the into the body integrated rear air deflector is slightly changed and the rear diffuser is also optimized.

As usual, also less powerful engines can be equipped with an attractive AMG package. Otherwise, the performance of those real AMG beasts remains unchanged and impressive. With 381 hp and thanks to all-wheel drive the “real” Mercedes CLA AMG can get from null to one hundred kilometers per hour in just 4.2 seconds.

Mercedes CLA current model overview

CLA Petrol models

• CLA 180 blue efficiency, 1,6-liter, 122 hp, 190 km/h
• CLA 180, 1,6-liter, 122 hp, 210 km/h
• CLA 200, 1,6-liter, 156 hp, 230 km/h
• CLA 220 4matic,  2-liter, 184 hp, 240 km/h
• CLA 250, 2-liter, 211 hp, 240 km/h
• CLA 250 Sport, 2-liter, 218 hp, 250 km/h
• CLA 45 4matic, 2-liter, 381 hp, 250 km/h

CLA Diesel models

• CLA 180 d blue efficiency, 1,5-liter, 109 hp, 190 km/h
• CLA 180 d, 1,5-liter, 109 hp, 205 km/h
• CLA 200 d, 2,1-liter, 136 hp, 220 km/h
• CLA 220 d,  2,1-liter, 177 hp, 232 km/h

Mercedes CLA-Class competitors:

1. Audi A3 Sedan
2. BMW 4 series
3. Buick Verano
4. Mazda 3 Acura ILX

Image credit: Mercedes