SPOTTED: The all-new Mercedes CLA 200

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Chance has a funny way of catching you off guard – And as chance would have it, the soon to be launched Mercedes CLA 200 was spotted on the roads today and this is the first unit you’ll seen that’s not parked on a trailer. The CLA is a very pretty car, with a face that so closely resembles the A-class, they might as well be cut from the same sheet of metal. But instead of splicing a boot onto a A-class and giving it another name, the CLA is considered as a 4-door coupe, much like the CLS, only smaller (and of course, supposedly more cheaper)

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Elsewhere around the world, the CLA is positioned as the entry level luxury compact sedan car …. something like the equivalent of a 316i. Nope, hatchbacks don’t count so don’t add in the A200 and the 1-series in the BMW. However, all things considered in Malaysia where car prices would boggle the mind of any right thinking European or American, anything is possible here. Rumors have it that it should be priced between the A200 and the cheapest C-class while some say because it’s CBU and the C class is CKD, it would logically cost more. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

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Diamond shaped grille with the new company logo set on a pair of rings, the front spells class in more ways than one.

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Measuring about 4.6m in length, 2.0m in width and 1.4m in height, the CLA is the first Mercedes sedan/coupe to be offered with in a front wheel drive configuration, much like the A and B Classes.

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It rides on 18″ wheels wrapped in 225/40 rubber.

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The distinct boot spoiler not only makes the car look longer, it’s also there as part of Mercedes’ most aerodynamic car of just 0.23. That makes it even more slippery compared to the Nissan GT-R.

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The rear combination LED lamps are such a thing of beauty to look at. Even the reverse lights are bright white LEDs.

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Inside. the layout and design is quite the same with the A-class with propeller design air conditioning vents and a display sitting in the center that looks like it’s an after marketing fitting. Rear seats are upright and since it’s of a coupe design, head room is restrictive. Probably not very comfortable for long journeys.

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The CLA 200 is said to be powered by a 1.6litre turbocharged engine, producing 156hp @ 5,000rpm and 250Nm@ 1,250rpm – 4,000rpm and would propel the CLA from zero to hundred in 8.6 seconds.

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Until the car is launched (some say 2nd quarter of this year), consider these as teasers. For me, at least, this is definitely my default choice if I were to pick between it and the C-class.

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