UCSD_C350

Sorry to sidetrack the forum, everybody. Let's get back to the discussion at hand.

I would buy the CLA for design more than anything. I don't see why they couldn't put that type of aesthetics into our W204. I feel like my car will look so dated once the new E-class and CLA's are out on the road.

snowmuch

I think w204 will look very classic once the new e and c hit the road... The new e and c is so round that it looks girly

Petje

0-60mph in 5 seconds

So he will beat the C350

UCSD_C350

I don't think he was talking about the AMG but if he was, then I'm gonna go crawl back in my corner now...

I used to love the 335i design, more than my C-class even, but as soon as the 2013's hit the market, I couldn't help but think that the design looked dated (classic nonetheless) which is what I'm afraid will happen to mine. I'm just a materialistic guy, I suppose.

livestrong191

So are we saying that the CLA will be for sale at the dealerships end of this year or end of 2014

ralawren

I expect them to be available by Oct 2013 in the USA. Unfortunately I don't think the BMW 2 series Gran Coupe or A3 Sedan will be available then to compare.

Pete7874

A FWD Mercedes? No, thanks!

omega48er

i thought it was a AWD?

ralawren

The CLA is based on a FWD platform and will initially be offered as FWD only. In about 6-12 months an AWD version will be released and the car mags also believe the AMG version will be AWD. So it is going to be a wait for the AWD.

Pete7874

And even then, it'll be a predominantly FWD arrangement. The power will only be pushed to the rear axle when the front starts losing traction, kind of like the Haldex system used on transverse VW/Audi cars.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes...ic-system.html

Still, better than a plain FWD one, and it'll help deliver better MPG for sure (compared to permanent AWD, like in the C-class). Just not the same driving dynamics as a rear-biased drive system provides.

AllEyesOnMe

If there was a coupe version i would... It looks beautiful... Certainly does look more premium than its entry price of ~$30k

MDMercedesGuy

Bah... I didn't think about it being FWD/FWD based.

That would kill it for me alone.

Sportstick

For those interested, I just saw the official pricing...$29,900.

Petje

Here the entry will be 32K Euro for the 180 with 122HP
LOL

C300Kid

I would doubt that. The new NA spec 1 series is already well into development and it's actually going to be called the 2 series and be rwd as it's based on the new euro 1 series hatch. I've not seen any mention of a sedan for the next generation (2014) of this car. The 2 series coupe will have an M variant called M2.

I HAVE heard they're planning a fwd sedan that'll probably carry the 1 series badge that will slot below the current 1 series (as it's renamed 2 series). Somehow I doubt BMW will make an M1 though. I'd say we'll see a "sport-tuned" 135i M-Sport, but no M1.

Sportstick

The evidence for a new rwd 1 series sedan and M1 is pretty strong if you google around and read the multiple articles and see camo photos from Europe. The 2 will be the Coupe and Gran Coupe version of the 1, just as the 4 is the coupe and Gran Coupe versions of the 3.

C300Kid

I'm still skeptical. There's already a confirmed 1 series on the way and it's a FWD hatchback based on next generation Mini Cooper architecture. Spy shots all over the web and a concept version released a while back. Google 1 Series GT.

I think it's unlikely BMW will give a RWD sedan and a FWD city car the same name.

If there is a sedan version of the new 2 series, I'd expect it to be the gran coupe only which will retain the 2 series name.

We'll have to wait and see.

Sportstick

Yes, time will tell. But we can be more sure BMW won't try to force an automatic transmission on everyone so I'm sure I'll find something I will like!

Glyn M Ruck

0 to 60 in 6.7 seconds is more than good enough. This dumb world of ours is going to have to stop thinking that more cubic inches = good.

We need decent performance from frugal, fun to drive cars & that's where it is going.

The new E Class sans a pair of lights looks very nice!

Sportstick

Philosophically reasonable, but this will happen when men look away from Kate Upton to gaze at Anne Hathaway .

TexFinn

No need for AWD and will definitely not get FWD, so it's good that neither me nor my wife have any needs to get a new car anytime soon.

Well..., maybe in the next year or so when there are more W212s in the ~$25K range, my wife will bite, but that's about it. CLA? Definitely not.

Glyn M Ruck

I certainly know where you are coming from but I do think that capacity is more of an American thing.

A colleague of mine's kid comes & borrows tools from time to time. "till now he has had a Ford Focus ST 5 Cylinder. A little car that always put a smile on my face. Well he arrived the other day with the new ST 4 cylinder Turbo Ecoboost in eye searing, bright metallic orange "Tangerine Scream". I took it for a thrash through the pass behind where I live (something like what you guys would call a canyon run). Ford has done wonders with the chassis & the engine just loves to be revved. Sounds brilliant too. I never thought a 4 banger could sound as good as the NA 5 banger but it does. A really fun little car. I had to buy Alfa's (of which I had 7) in my youth to have that sort of fun.

Sportstick

Have an hors d'ouerve?




Yes, the ST has had a wonderful reception here too, considered very much the equal of VW GTI. The trend to smaller is happening as the technology makes it less painful. But, you're correct, we have a long history with "bigger is better" (probably goes back to musket size in the Revolutionary War!) and I don't think that will ever completely disappear.

C300Kid

Right. At the end of the day there's going to be some new BMW compact sedan with a manual coming. It's just the name we're unsure of.


Regarding the CLA, the more I look into it the more I like it. It's not supposed to be a rwd premium sedan, nor is it supposed to appeal to Mercedes' current customers. It is what it is; a stylish and modern sporty sedan aimed at young buyers. It's Mercedes' take on the VW GLI/Acura TSX crowd. I think it will be a big hit assuming they aren't all spec'd to $40k when they hit dealer lots.

Glyn M Ruck

Indeed! And 72oz for what you guys call an entre. Well in Texas anyway!