RE: Mercedes CLA: Driven

[CDP]

mrpenks said:

Reasonable looks but really, would I spend my own cash on it? No, this is yet another fleet car for company car drivers, nothing to be excited by. The fact that is FWD doesn't bother me too much but the fact it is a Merc is a real worry: have you seen the state of 2000-2005my cars? Rust, electrical faults, horrible. One for the metalic silver German bage snobs this one.

I think I'd save my money and buy the Ford, Vauxhall or similar or more likely buy a used E class/XF/5 series.

[hepy]

WCZ said:

looks fab, who'd pick a golf over one of these?

Or a 1 series, or an A3 - plenty of people will fancy one as a company car.

[Amirhussain]

Decent looking car, looks a bit squashed and the rear lights look 'fake'

[jwwbowe]

Little bit gutted that Mercedes has gone FWD on this one, don't get me wrong I'm sure its perfect for the target audience (what was the stat? something like 70% of 1 Series owners didn't know [or care!] it was RWD) and we all know it will sell well, I'm just not sure about a FWD Mercedes "Coupe." Still hopefully it will tempt a few people away from Audi A3/A4s which can only be a good thing!! The only thing that might put people off is when some know it all type says "its not a proper Mercedes." The same stigma that hit the x-type.

[Stein]

Made in Hungary to be sold in Germany = € 29.000
Made in Hungary, reworked to comply with US standards, Shipped across the globe, clearing all import duties to be sold in the US = € 23.000

That's 6000 (read SIX THOUSAND) less...

How can a company spend more money on a product then proceed selling it for less and continuing being profitable all at the same time ?

Also know that both prices that are listed are for the base model but the American one will be the same as the premium European version so the real difference is even more absurd like over 9000 euro (30%) or so.

Why do i always have this feeling we're pulling the short straw? Even if they should decide to build them at their factory in the US it's still wrong imo.

It's like politicians keep telling everyone the economy is going down the drain but still these company's have this old fashioned idea that Europe is where the money is at... they keep demanding ridiculous 100% profit surpluses for products confident that the consumer over here will be more then happy to pay up without making a fuss about it.

That's just doodoo.

[Hellbound]

Good to see an interesting alternative to the standard 3 box banality out there.

[Fast Bug]

jwwbowe said:

The only thing that might put people off is when some know it all type says "its not a proper Mercedes." The same stigma that hit the x-type.

I think that's more to do with the fact that the X Type was heavily based on the Mondeo than anything else. As far as I'm aware, this is an MB only platform

[em177]

Fast Bug said:

I think that's more to do with the fact that the X Type was heavily based on the Mondeo than anything else. As far as I'm aware, this is an MB only platform

This.

[predding]

Lazygraduate said:

I think it's quite ugly! But I can see the appeal. A5 Sportback for me instead of this please

+1 BMW 4er for me please.

[CDP]

Fast Bug said:

jwwbowe said:

The only thing that might put people off is when some know it all type says "its not a proper Mercedes." The same stigma that hit the x-type.

I think that's more to do with the fact that the X Type was heavily based on the Mondeo than anything else. As far as I'm aware, this is an MB only platform

But apart from being RWD is the C Class a significantly better car than the Mondeo? Judging by the number of extremely high mileage Fords about I'd suggest probably not so the quality of platform was never really in doubt. The lack of Jagness was in part down to the shunty 4WD transmission (Audi's are no better) or front wheel drive.

Doesn't that argument also apply to the 2000's Passat/A6 and Octavia/Golf/Leon/A3?

[chrispj]

Is there an estate/shooting brake version of this due? That might tempt me (with a hopefully rear-biased 4matic and turbo petrol).

[Hellbound]

predding said:

+1 BMW 4er for me please.

BMW 435i Gran Coupe is what I think it will be. And something tells me THAT car will cost a bit more than this and I'd consider it a class above. Perhaps a 2 series Gran Coupe would make a better comparison/rival.

Edited by Hellbound on Wednesday 13th March 11:36

[pSyCoSiS]

Not a bad looker, and will 'freshen up' the company car parks a little.

Would def have one over the equivalent 'posh Golf'!

It's a clever marketing idea by MB, and they will start selling lots of them. Just look at how many new A Class you see on the roads, compared to 6 months ago.

[CDP]

pSyCoSiS said:

Would def have one over the equivalent 'posh Golf'!

If that's the choice. I'm sure it will have a reasonable leasing cost and CO2 output so well suited to the company user.

With the right engine, autobox and comfort suspension it's probably fine. But with front wheel drive I just can't see it being more than a posher VW/Audi/Skoda/Ford/Vauxhall.

[LasseV]

Best looking fwd car in the market right now. And the interior is a top notch too, best in class. I was really surprised how good car the A-class was, so i think people will love this car too.

Edited by LasseV on Thursday 14th March 12:32

[kambites]

sinbaddio said:

Hmmm. If this is a success I guess we can expect a 1 series GranCoupe and an A3 Sportback on the horizon?

Here you go:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/audi-a3...

[MadDog1962]

Benjaminbopper said:

Good looking, well priced and a cleverly positioned product.

90% of people who buy this won't care that it's FWD and with economy figures like that I can see this stealing many 3 series / A4 fleet drivers looking for a change.

I agree. And that seems to be exactly the intent. These are going to steal a lot of sales from the 3 series and A4 over here in North America. Probably quite a few sales from premium GM and Ford products too. Many buyers over here don't seem to know if their cars are FWD or RWD or understand the difference.

[LuS1fer]

It's better looking than the hatch - which is like saying Bella Emberg is better looking than Jabba The Hut. The rear lights fall away too much and look droopy.

[em177]

Would love one of these as a daily with an auto box. Diesel. And the AMG wheels, body package bits.

Well out of my price range for another 10 years or so mind :P

[V12 Migaloo]

MadDog1962 said:

Benjaminbopper said:

Good looking, well priced and a cleverly positioned product.

90% of people who buy this won't care that it's FWD and with economy figures like that I can see this stealing many 3 series / A4 fleet drivers looking for a change.

I agree. And that seems to be exactly the intent. These are going to steal a lot of sales from the 3 series and A4 over here in North America. Probably quite a few sales from premium GM and Ford products too. Many buyers over here don't seem to know if their cars are FWD or RWD or understand the difference.

What do you mean by FWD and RWD?