Mercedes-Benz is expanding its vehicle lineup with its all-new 2014 CLA-Class mid-size luxury sedan. Described as a four-door coupe, the vehicle features is based on the automaker’s “Concept Coupe” and feature's that concept vehicle's styling with its frameless doors. Mercedes said it received an “overwhelming” positive response to its Concept Style Coupe and decided to put the vehicle into production.

The CLA-Class comes in two models, the CLA250 four-door coupe and the CLA250 4MATIC all-wheel-drive four-door coupe. It will be available in September 2013, with a model equipped with 4MATIC all-wheel-drive the following year in the spring of 2014.

Performance

Each CLA-Class model comes equipped with Mercedes 2.0L four-cylinder gasoline engine that can produce up to 208 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine features ECO start/stop as standard and is matched with a seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. The automaker hasn’t yet announced fuel economy estimates for its CLA-Class models.

Exterior

Mercedes said it achieved a new aerodynamics benchmark for the CLA-Class, a coefficient of drag of 0.23, helping to improve fuel efficiency. They automaker achieved this via a low A-pillar shoulder with adapted A-pillar geometry, aerodynamic mirrors, low-drag wheel trim, and serrated wheel spoilers on the vehicle’s front and rear wheel arches. The automaker also used underbody cladding and an aerodynamically optimized muffler to improve air flow under the vehicle. Mercedes plans to offer a large panorama as a standalone option.

Interior

Inside, the CLA-Class features a standard anthracite surface finish, and burl walnut wood, black ash wood, and aluminum as options. For infotainment, the CLA250 and CLA250 4MATIC have a 5.8-inch display, with Bluetooth capabilities, as standard, and Mercedes mbrace2 system. The system can be upgraded to a seven-inch display with the Multimedia package featuring the COMAND system with hard-drive navigation, voice control, an SD card slot, an in-dash 6-disc CD/DVD changer, a 10GB music register, a rearview camera and SiriusXM Traffic & Weather. The display itself is in black piano-lacquer trim and has a silver frame.

Safety

The CLA-Class features a Collision Prevention Assist system and an Attention Assist system as a standard feature. The Driver Assistance option package comes with Merdeces’ “DISTRONIC” system, Blind Spot Assist, and Lane Keeping Assist. The automaker also offers its “PARKTRONIC” system with Advance Parking Assist (which automatically parks the vehicle in parallel and perpendicular parking spaces) as a standalone option.

Options

In addition to the Driver Assistance and Multimedia packages, Mercedes offers the Premium package. It features n iPod/MP3 media player interface, SiriusXM satellite radio, the harman/kardon LOGIC 7 surround sound system, heated front seats, auto dimming mirrors, an integrated garage door opener, dual-zone climate control, and a compass.