Mercedes-Benz Releases Pictures and Video of New CLA and CLA 45 AMG

According to the crew over at the German-language Mercedes-Benz Passion website, the brand with the star has shared a multitude of pictures and a video of the upcoming Mercedes CLA compact sports saloon ahead of the car's world premiere at the Detroit motor show in mid-January next year.This wouldn't be a first for Mercedes-Benz, which often releases pictures of its future models, sometimes with heavy camouflage, sometimes without, in advance of their world debuts, as was the case recently with the A 45 AMG hatchback.

We don't have the official press release in our hands yet – it shouldn't be long before Mercedes shares it with the rest of the world, but it's obvious that there are two CLA models pictured here, a regular version and the AMG model, both featuring the brand's 4Matic all-wheel drive system, developed for FWD models with front transverse engines.

The new CLA is a spin-off model from the A-Class hatchback, with which it shares its platform, albeit stretched in length, the interior and mechanical components, including a range of four-cylinder turbocharged diesel and gasoline engines topped by the AMG model fitted with a 2.0-liter force-fed unit rated at 350-horsepower and 332 lb-ft (450Nm).

Unlike the hatchback, which has been received warmly in Europe, the CLA will be offered in North America as well.

 

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VIDEO

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BMW Looks to a Front-Drive Future

Big changes are about to take place at BMW as the brand begins a shift towards front-wheel-drive models.

BMW has long been known as a performance brand with a penchant for luxury and advanced technologies. Along with its high-performance M division, it has become the benchmark in many segments, including sport sedans, coupes, convertibles and crossovers of various shapes and sizes. But one element has combined all of its cars through the decades: rear-wheel-drive. That's apparently all about to change, however, as word has it that the German automaker is proposing to launch up to 20 new front-drive models in coming years.

Don't think of this as simply an expansion of its Mini brand, however. No, this plan is much more extensive and will include many BMW-badged models as well. So far, up to12 new FWD BMWs and Minis have been approved for production, all of which will utilize the same new platform that will underpin the new Mini hatchback. One new BMW will be a production version of the Concept Active Tourer that was unveiled at September's Paris Motor Show to take on the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class. The philosophy behind the change stems from a marketing and customer shift to smaller cars, hoping that downsizing will help them save money at the pumps.

Europe is currently leading this global trend and evidence of its influence is already being seen in the US and China, two markets that were once heavily dominated by large sedans and SUVs. These new models will slot below the 3 Series in terms of size and a BMW official has confirmed that the 3. 5 and 7 Series sedans will remain rear-drive, as per tradition.

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Mercedes Reveals C-Class Sport Package

Can't quite get to the C63 AMG? Mercedes has just released a new Sport Package for the "ordinary" C-Class family.

Buyers looking for a sportier take on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class but unable to stretch to the full-on C63 AMG may be interested to learn that the German automaker has just announced a new AMG Sport Package for the company's smallest sedan. Released on Mercedes-Benz USA's Facebook page, the package includes 18-inch twin-spoke AMG wheels and a rear lip spoiler, but the interior is where the real action's at.

The cabin has been decked out in artificial leather and suede, a flat-bottomed sport steering wheel with paddle shifters and red trim for the upholstery stitching, floor mats and seat belts. The optional Sports Package Plus further optimizes the suspension, exhaust, steering and shift geometry, but the engine remains the same, depending on which model the buyer specifies. Pictured here in coupe form (with striking matte silver paint), the rear-seat image suggest the package will be available in sedan form as well.

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Mercedes, Jaguar to Present New Debuts

We already know to expect the new Subaru Forester and Honda Civic, the production version of Acura's new RLX flagship sedan, the new Lamborghini Aventador Roadster and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series, to name just a few. But then there are a few wildcards. Rifling through the press release, the show organizers have revealed that both Mercedes and Jaguar will be showcasing as-yet undisclosed new vehicles in the City of Angels. These will be in addition to the aforementioned SLS Black and the North American debut of the F-Type roadster, respectively.

If recent spy shots are anything to go by, Mercedes could be ready to show off a facelifted E-Class or possibly the new CLA four-door coupe. The GLA crossover, however, doesn't look quite ready yet. As for the Jaguar, previous reports indicated that we could see a coupe version of the F-Type in LA, but Coventry has also been gearing up to unveil a new XFR-S performance sedan. Meanwhile Porsche recently announced that it would unveil a new compact sportscar in LA. While details remain sketchy, industry insiders expect we'll be seeing the new Cayman when the show opens its doors at the end of the month.

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