Mercedes-Benz model assault in SA
Mercedes-Benz has been on somewhat of a roll when it comes to new model introductions in 2019.
In addition to some updated models, we’ve seen some all-new vehicles enter the market. I made my way to the Four Seasons in Johannesburg recently to attend the launch event of the A-Class Sedan, an all-new model for the brand as well as the new CLA and the updated GLC SUV.
The A-Class Sedan
In a global market where large markets like China and the United States now dictate what vehicles are made due to their sheer economic power and demand for cars, it’s no surprise that there’s a now a sedan version of the A-Class. From a local perspective, Mercedes-Benz says that this car has been introduced to cater for those buying down from say, a C-Class for example, offering a more attainable small sedan much as Audi did years ago with the A3 Sedan.
In terms of styling, it really is the A-Class hatchback with a boot, featuring the same front-end styling and a similar aesthetic from the C-pillar frontward. The rear-end, in typical sedan fashion squares off and features LED rear lights to complete what I feel is a wonderful small sedan design. Much as with the hatchback version, there’s ambient lighting inside along with two infotainment screen options, dual 7.0-inch displays or two 10.25 inch screens. In terms of practicality, the boot offers 420-litres of space and the rear quarters can accommodate four occupants comfortably. The powertrain options on the A-Class sedan include two petrol engines, both paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The A200 gets the brand’s 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine with 120kW and 250 N.m while the A250 features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder motor with 165kW and 350 N.m.
The new CLA
The previous generation CLA model didn’t make much sense to me from a practicality perspective. Much like its larger CLS sibling, the CLA has a coupe-esque sloping roofline, yet features four doors, creating a ‘saloupe’, if you will. The new car hasn’t rewritten the rulebook for the small saloupe and in this writer’s opinion, is still a bit pointless, even more so now that the A-Class Sedan exists. Mercedes-Benz claims that the CLA has a more youthful and style-focused customer in mind.
From a styling perspective, the CLA certainly aims to be more elegant, it is therefore longer, wider and lower than the A-Class Sedan while retaining the same wheelbase, making it some 35kg heavier. It also features a protruding front end, which the brand calls the ‘shark nose’ along with reshaped headlights, diamond-shaped mesh in the front grille and the signature sloping roofline which extends into a more rounded read-end with narrower taillights. The interior is very much as you’d find in the A-Class and A-Class Sedan, as is to be expected although, the main difference can be found in rear headroom, where the aforementioned sloping roof seriously compromises head room for taller folk. Powering the CLA is either a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine with 120kW and 250 N.m paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, or a 2.0-litre turbodiesel with 140kW and 400 N.m mated with an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
The updated GLC
Since debuting some four years ago, the GLC has shown how popular SUVs have become with the ‘C-Class of SUVs’ registering solid sales figures. Now halfway through its lifecycle, the GLC has been updated to bring it more in line key rivals such as the BMW X3, Volvo’s XC60 and Audi’s Q5.
Both the ‘regular’ and Coupe versions of the GLC have been updated aesthetically and both now benefit from LED head and taillights as standard while there’s the new Mercedes front grille, as well as mildly updated front and rear bumpers. It’s inside where you’ll note the more prominent changes with the MBUX infotainment system now standard, adding a pair of 10-inch colour touchscreen displays atop the dashboard. Powering the GLC range are two engines, one petrol and one diesel in two states of tune, all paired with a nine-speed automatic gearbox. The petrol engine in the 300 model produces 190kW and 370 N.m while the 220d gets a 2.0-litre turbo diesel with 143kW and 400 N.m and the 300d the same engine, but with the wick turned up to produce 180kW and 500 N.m.
Warranty and service
All Mercedes-Benz passenger car models come with a two-year unlimited mileage warranty as well as a five-year/100 000km maintenance plan.
Pricing
A-Class Sedan 200 R533 400
A-Class Sedan 250 Sport R604 800
CLA 200 R570 500
CLA 220d R612 800
GLC 300 4MATIC R842 800
GLC 220 d 4MATIC R786 100
GLC 300 d 4MATIC R825 100
GLC 300 Coupe 4MATIC R985 300
GLC 220 d Coupe 4MATIC R929 600
GLC 300 d Coupe 4MATIC R964 200
