USA - The Mercedes CLA gets a more refined look as well as a host of other trim and equipment upgrades.

The sporty, expressive design of the CLA is now further honed in a facelift involving new front and rear bumpers as well as new light-alloy wheel designs. The interior also benefits from numerous enhancements, among them new seat covers and trim parts, as well as chrome-plated controls. LED High Performance headlamps, HANDS-FREE ACCESS and further possibilities for integrating smartphones into the control system are all options that serve to enhance safety and comfort. 

The addition of Active Brake Assist as a standard feature further strengthens the CLA's credentials as a leader in its class, as does HANDS-FREE ACCESS as an optional convenience feature. The Mercedes-AMG CLA45 now features even more dynamic styling and a further upgraded interior. With a peak performance of 375 hp and maximum torque of 350 lb-ft, it is amongst the most powerful vehicles in its segment.

The facelifted version of the CLA 4-door Coupe will make its physical debut at the New York International Auto Show on March 23rd. The 2017 CLA will be available in US- dealerships in the third quarter of 2016.

In undertaking the facelift modifications, the Mercedes-Benz designers have subtly honed the distinctive look of the CLA. All models now have a new front bumper with a silver, black or chrome trim strip. 

The rear bumper is optionally available with a panel incorporating a trim strip in chrome or black (Night Package) between the tailpipes. The tailpipe trim panels themselves are now integrated flush into the bumper. This adds visual width to the vehicle and ensures a superior high-quality appearance thanks to even and narrow gaps where the panels join.

There is a new metallic paint available, Lunar Blue. Most of the available wheels now feature a new design – overall, six different wheels are available to chose from for the CLA250. The CLA previously included the latest generation of assistance and safetysystems that are, in some cases, only now gradually being introduced in the other model series. 

Among these are Active Brake Assist as standard (known until now as COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS), which is able to trigger autonomous braking as a means of reducing the danger of rear-end collisions, as well as the transmission mode selection function DYNAMIC SELECT. 

With this system the vehicle characteristics can be adjusted at the touch of a button, as the system modifies the engine, transmission and steering feel. The ambient lighting system, which can be individualized by setting any one of twelve color moods, has been part of the specification since the start.

The interior: slimmer display, new trim parts, chrome-plated controls

The interior also benefits from features such as new seat covers and trim parts, as well as chrome-plated controls. The highlight here is a much slimmer-looking freestanding 8-inch media display with a new-style glass cover, standard equipment in the US. The new-style dials and red needles in the instrument cluster make it easier to read the instruments.

Meticulous attention to detail is also evident from the silver chrome finish to the controls and to the fascia and switches in the doors for the electrically adjustable seats, as well as from the chrome surround to the stowage compartment in the center console.

New trim elements in sail-look finish, matt black ash wood, black DINAMICA microfiber trim (optional in conjunction with the Sport Package Plus) or aluminum with honeycomb grain, serve to liven up the interior. There is also a revised range of seat covers: for the optionally available Interior Package there is a new leather upholstery option in beige/black.

The equipment features: LED High Performance headlamps as an option 

The CLA is optionally available with LED High Performance headlamps with a color temperature that is closer to that of daylight than traditional xenon headlamps. This is more restful to the eyes and therefore provides relief to the driver at night. The 34-watt LED low-beam headlamps also have very low energy consumption – around 60 percent less than xenon and around 70 percent less than halogen.

The low-beam headlamps use LED projection technology, while the main-beam headlamps use LED reflection technology. Direction indicators, daytime running lamps and position lights are in the form of multifunctional fiber-optic cables, which are also used for the 'Coming Home' function. As all lights use LED technology, there is never a need to change a bulb over the entire service life of the vehicle.

The new optional LED High Performance headlamps are combined with automatic intensity control tail lights, which reduce the dazzling effect for vehicles following. The multi-level functionality regulates the brightness of the brake lights and direction indicators in three stages (Day/Night-time driving/Night-time stationary).

Loading becomes easier with the HANDS-FREE ACCESS option. This system allows the trunk lid or tailgate to be opened without any physical contact; all it takes is a motion of the foot in the area of the rear bumper. HANDS-FREE ACCESS is now included as part of the Premium Package.

The optionally-available Smartphone Integration Package allows the integration and voice-operated control of iPhones® and Android smartphones via Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ respectively. Selected functions can be operated using vehicle controls, thus allowing safe use even while on the move.

A Rear View Camera is now included in the standard equipment for the United States.

Drive system: Efficient and dynamic

The four-cylinder engine in the CLA250 delivers an output of 208 hp and is paired as standard with the 7G-DCT. It is available in both front-wheel drive or with optional 4MATIC.

Overview of the gasoline models:

	CLA250 / CLA250 4MATIC	AMG CLA45
Number of cylinders / arrangement	4/inline	4/inline
Displacement (cc)	1991	1991
Rated output (hp)	208 @ 5,500rpm	375 @ 6,000
Rated torque (lb-ft)	258 @ 1,200-4,000rpm	350 @ 2,250-5,000
Acceleration 0-60mph (s)	6.9 / 6.8	4.1
Top speed (mph)	130 mph	155 mph

Latest AMG design language and improved aerodynamics: AMG CLA45 

"Avant-garde meets Driving Performance" is the motto for the Mercedes-AMG CLA45. Offering a unique combination of a sporty driving experience, extravagant design and maximum individuality, the CLA45 also benefits from updated exterior asthetics. LED High Performance headlamps now come as standard, as does the twin louver radiator grille finished in silver chrome.

Aerodynamics have been further improved and the coefficient of drag has been reduced, all to the benefit of driving dynamics and stability. Further exterior features of the facelift include the AMG front bumper in a new A-wing design with front splitter inserts in matte titanium grey and high-gloss black flics, and a new design for the AMG lip spoiler on the trunk lid. New at the rear is the design of the diffuser insert, with four vertical fins. An AMG Aerodynamics package is now available as an optional extra. This comprises a larger front splitter, additional flics, a black AMG lip spoiler plus black accents over the simulated air outlets on the rear bumper.

Two attractive light-alloy wheels join the range: the standard specification includes 18 x 8.0-inch AMG ten-spoke wheels painted titanium grey or black and with a high-sheen finish, with 235/40 R 18 tires. Available as an option are 19 x 8-inch AMG cross-spoke light-alloy wheels with 235/35 R 19 tires. Here, too, there are two color variants, with matte black or titanium grey paintwork, in each case with a high-sheen rim flange.

The interior has been similarly upgraded and interiors are given an exclusive finishing touch of red contrasting topstitching. The new AMG trim design features a matte painted finish while the structure still has a polished surface that bears the AMG logo. It is available in black/red or in black/silver, depending on the chosen upholstery. Also new is the optional AMG DINAMICA Interior package with a trim element in DINAMICA as well as a full-DINAMICA AMG Performance steering wheel.

With a peak performance of 375 hp and maximum torque of 350 lb-ft, the Mercedes- AMG CLA45 4-door Coupe is among the most powerful vehicles in its segment, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds.

Extensive modifications undertaken by Mercedes-AMG last September had already added to the fun at the wheel and emotional appeal of the CLA. Along with the more powerful engine, the new features included the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT transmission modes as standard, plus shorter gear ratios of the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sport transmission. A mechanical limited-slip front differential is available in conjunction with the Dynamic Plus package (optional extra).

Did you know that... 

...on sale in the USA since 2013, the CLA was the first compact car to be marketed in the US market by Mercedes-Benz. As the new entry-level model, it has proved hugely successful, with sales of 29,643 units (2015: +8.3% vs. 2014) making the USA the single most important market for the CLA in 2015.

…more than four million compact cars from Mercedes-Benz have already been delivered to customers worldwide?

…the model series is built at the company's production facility at Kecskémet in Hungary? Production of the compact four-door Coupe started in January 2013. Since the facility opened in 2012 a total of 500,000 vehicles have already left the production line of the Kecskémet plant, which also produces the B-Class.

...as far as its technology is concerned, the AMG 2.0-liter turbo unit is related to the 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine in the Mercedes-AMG GT that delivers up to 503 hp.

...the four-cylinder turbo engine has already received the renowned "Engine of the Year Award" twice? The AMG unit won the award in the category for engines with a displacement of 1.8 - 2.0 liters in both 2014 and 2015. The independent experts were impressed by the trailblazing engineering and outstanding characteristics of this high- end four-cylinder unit.