Mercedes will introduce its next four-door coupe built on the MFA platform that underpins the A-Class and B-Class at the Beijing Motor Show. Christened the CLA, the concept is different from the production ready CLC coupe that will make its Los Angeles debut next month. Mercedes describes this baby CLS to be the fifth platformed on the MFA.
Reports suggest that the CLA will take up the position below the C-Class as an entry-level sedan. With this, the German luxury carmaker continues striving for its low-cost small car. Mercedes will give a choice of sub-150 hp petrol and diesel variants for the CLA. Also, expect Mercedes to develop a 300 hp top of the range version with AMG tuned hybrid power plant. It will feature as both front and all-wheel-drive mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch and a six-speed manual gearbox.
Production of the CLA will be at the Hungary plant with the first batch arriving late 2012. India is certainly welcoming this sedan by early 2013 and it will be placed below the C-Class at a price range of INR 20-25 lacs. With the success of BMW X1 as an entry level car, expect Mercedes to launch its B-Class soon. We also speculate the A-Class based sedan, CLC coupe and CLC sedan to join the Merc lineup in India.