Yahoo Autos Next-Gen Mercedes-Benz CLA Shown for First Time
The next-gen Mercedes-Benz CLA’s been teased in concept form, but today is our first glimpse at what the production version of Mercedes’ upcoming entry-level model will look like underneath the cover of camouflage.
Revealed on Friday at the 39th Festival d’Hyères, a French fashion and photography festival, the new CLA mimics the general shape of its concept, though it’s not quite as flowing and hunkered down over its wheels as the concept might’ve suggested. The grille is covered outside of its massive three-pointed star logo, and Mercedes left some room for air to flow through the lower front bumper. Its final LED headlights are poking through, and its front fascia adopts the chin-forward design seen on the concept.
Reasonably sized wheels that you’d expect on a CLA with “d’Hyères” adorning them fill the arches, and you’ll notice the CLA also features pop-out door handles the likes of which are seen on many Mercedes models these days. Both rear quarters appear to be home to a fuel door, electric charging port door, or perhaps even a fake flap in a bid of misdirection. No, Mercedes didn’t specify if this CLA seen here is an EV or gas-powered version.
We do know Mercedes is planning on offering both electric and hybrid variants of the next-gen CLA. Its Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) can support either. While the dual flaps might suggest a plug-in hybrid at first glance, we wouldn’t put it past Mercedes to conjure up a bit of deception here. Its lack of a front grille opening and nonexistent exhaust can just as easily – and perhaps more convincingly – suggest full EV.
Its rear design is generally rounded off, and if there’s an exhaust, it exits downward behind the rear bumper. The trunk lid spoiler breaks up its flowing lines, and the full-width rear taillight looks like it’s going to be a statement piece when the camo fully comes off.
The CLA looks like it’s close to production at this point, and with Mercedes teasing its final design, expect to see the undisguised car shown off sooner rather than later. If the EV’s specs can be in the same ballpark as the Concept CLA, that bodes well for what is shaping up to be a small, stylish sedan.
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