The Merc Is Back

And then the sportier front of the MFA (Modular Front-Wheel Architecture) platform has suddenly become affable with the launch of the new CLA Class in itself, and price tag of Rs 31 lakh; the Merc is back to the country where it was loved the most. Very peculiar though, the CLA saloons extend all the way to Rs 68 lakh.

There are two ways we can get done with it, one--talk about how practical the CLA Class is, or second, talk about how sporty the CLA 45 AMG is. Humour me, and let’s take the second route first. The one that would cost you a bomb is the CLA 45, and remains the eye candy in the legion.

The design You could try to parse what makes it a rolling ScarJo—the pert back end, the unbelievably smart rolled fenders, the hood that stretches all the way to the hori`zon—but why bother? What's important is that the CLA 45’s enduring shadow is a blessing for Merc’s image, and lovely is the fact that the whole segment has retained the look.

The difference among each one is under the hood. The sides are full of curvy creases and they converge in a compact rear with a pair of neat LED tail-lamps. The design of the 225/45 R17-inch alloy wheels looks superb too.

Of course, this car is not entirely unfamiliar, with this ‘vanilla’ guise, there’s no doubt the CLA is a stunner. Under the hood Press the CLA 45’s starter button, floor it, and you realise its very right. A low and throaty rumble explodes into a staccato pop pop pop, not unlike aircraft fire. Cars are complicated these days, more automaton than automobile, smoothed out and reined in. But the CLA hands you a stick of dynamite and a match and tells you to go nuts.

You're drilled into your seatback by lurid acceleration and thrown sideways when the road bends. “At the Buddh circuit, I realised that the most intense version, sits squarely in Jaguar F Type territory. It's been a long time since you could make that comparison with a straight face,” quipped a reviewer with Smart Drive. Let’s now talk about the practicality of the class.

With the C-class having moved even more up market, the company needed a more accessible sedan to draw in newer, younger buyers in a country where luxury hatchbacks like its own A- and Bclass are still seen more as the second or third vehicle in a premium garage.

Yes, the compact luxury sedan is big business in India, and competitor Audi has already got a head start with its impressive A3. But with this new CLA-class, Mercedes appears to have a powerful card in its deck, at least on the surface. Even when it's standing still, the CLA makes you grin silly. It's a trophy in your driveway and an Instagram magnet on the street.

The understated and unremarkable-looking Audi A3 better watch out. HOT WHEELS With this new CLA-class, Mercedes appears to have a powerful card in its deck, at least on the surface. Even when it's standing still, the CLA makes you grin silly.It's Trophy in Your Driveway and an Instagram magnet on the street.The understated and unremarkable-Looking Ausi A3 better watch Out.

Augustin Kurain