9 May 2019

New CLA launched in Ireland

Ciaran Allen, Sales Manager Mercedes-Benz Ireland; with Managing Director Stephen Byrne.
A new generation of the Mercedes-Benz CLA compact coupe has gone on sale in Ireland at a starting price of €31,400, writes Brian Byrne.

Available in three design lines - Style, Progressive and AMG - it comes initially with three petrol engines and one diesel. Automatic transmissions is available.

The new 4-door car is longer and wider than its predecessor, which was introduced six years ago.

According to sales manager of Mercedes-Benz Ireland Ciaran Allen, the new car will compete with with equivalent models from BMW and Audi, and will 'add to the cross-generational appeal of Mercedes-Benz'.

The coupe will be joined by a shooting brake wagon variant in September.

Presenting the car, Ciaran Allen said the A-Class new generation compact cars had provided a 'huge increase' in female buyers for the brand, with 61pc of owners in the class being women.

The styling details echo those of the large CLS 4-door coupe, while the interior features all the details of the newer M-B cars, including the MBUX information and connectivity system.

The driver assistance technology which has also been rolled out in recent other models is also part of the standard and optional specifications in the new CLA.

A base model is not being sold here because in the distributor's experience more than eight in ten A-Class buyers choose a design line upgrade, while more than half go for technology upgrades.