It’s front wheel drive! That seems to be the biggest hangup that people focus on when criticising the all new 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250. Other than that, in terms of value, Mercedes Benz has made a real winner when it comes to marketing and delivering to middle class America.
Here are the basic facts. Starting MSRP is $29,990. It’s powered by a 2.0 Liter turbocharged inline 4 capable of 208 HP and 258 lbs-ft of torque. 0-60 comes in 6.5 seconds and sips gas at 24 city and 36 highway.
Here are a couple of things you didn’t know about the new Mercedes that are worth noting and come standard.
A 7 speed dual clutch automatic transmission is mated to all engines. This isn’t a manumatic transmission which allows a slush box automatic transmission to be shited on demand, but a full on clutch operated transmission with two sets of odd and even gears for faster pre- selected shifting operated hydraulically and fully automatic at your demand.
All 250 CLA’s are equipped with electromechanical power steering.The electronic-control electric motor only consumes energy when steering actions are actually being performed. Sensors detect the steering torque and the speed with which the driver is turning the steering, and transfer this information to the steering control unit in the form of an electric signal. This control unit uses the data to calculate how much steering assistance is required and precisely actuates the servo motor as required.
The Mercedes Benz CLA 250 has one of the lowest drag coefficients in automotive history. Typical drag coefficients run from .38 to .27. The all new Nissan GT-R has a drag coefficient of .26. What does the Mercedes Benz CLA 250 achieve? .23 All thanks to a low A-Pillar design, sleek mirrors, low drag wheels and wheel spoilers around the arches as well as underbody diffusers directing air underneath. The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 literally slips through the air.
Collision Prevention assist and attention assist come standard as well. With Collision prevention assist speeds above 4 MPH, the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 will give the driver and audible warning of imminent collision and supplement the braking force to stop the car before a collision.
Attention assist uses variables such as how you are steering, whether its night, and overall pattern of driving to determine how drowsy you are, at which point, an audible alarm will warn the driver to take a break.
Mercedes puts it best when they said,
"Like every car bearing the Three-Pointed Star, the all-new 2014 CLA has been engineered with an uncompromising approach to safety that includes not only sophisticated measures to help protect occupants during collisions, but also innovative technology that can help drivers avoid accidents altogether."
Optional equipment is available such as 4 wheel drive, a sport package and lane changing assist, but all the above comes standard. What does this mean? It means that the middle class american dollar is well spent on a quality German engineered vehicle where you’ll be getting more than you originally bargained for. Sure it’s front wheel drive, but it’s so much more.
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