CongratuLAtions, it's a wagon
The rollout of Merc's new-generation CLA range continues with the reveal of its wagon shape – the one true shape.
I said last week that I don't love the new CLA's snout, but the rest of it makes for a nice silhouette, and I'm just glad to see any brand persist with sedans!
That's doubly true with the reveal of the wagon. (See Expert's detailed reveal story here.) Along with two-door models and the manual gearbox, the longroof is about as endangered today as a species can be before slipping into extinction.
As before, the wagon is officially known as the CLA Shooting Brake (one doesn't quibble* on the brand-focused evolution of terminology).
The new one is bigger than the old one, as always (how long until Mercedes launches an A-Class wagon?**), coming in at 4723mm long on a 2790mm wheelbase (up 35mm and 61mm), 1855mm wide (up 25mm) and 1855mm wide (up 25mm) excluding the door mirrors.
Ridiculously, rear legroom has shrunk by 6mm, and it hasn't all gone into the boot either – now 30 litres smaller at 455 litres.
Want more details? Not here mate, but Will Stopford at Car Expert has a strong wrap that you can read right here. You can also follow Will here on Insta. Good page! (I also pinched his spec table below.)
Will we see the new CLA Shooting Brake in Oz?
Probably not. I'd love to be proven wrong, of course.
History: The first-gen model (Drive) had its Australian ticket punched in time for the big reveal, but the second didn't. (Carsales)
This time around, the new one is at least "under consideration" for Australia, which probably just means they're either still reviewing the business case; waiting for dealer feedback on buyer interest; or both. (The shape of the latter is obviously a big part of building the former.)
The fact that they've so far been revealed only in electric form is likely also a limiting factor, since the probable retail price for those in Australia would be pretty bloody high.
Europe will see 48V mild-hybrid versions next year, so maybe that'll be when we get a clearer sign of some Australian potensh.
ASIDE: We should've got Kia's ProCeed wagon
You know which model did a lovely job of pinching inspo from the CLS and CLA silhouettes? Kia's Cerato-related ProCeed.
I see more than a few of these around Berlin, and it's a genuinely handsome thing. There's a regular wagon version too, but this is the real looker.
It's a model I really think could've stolen hearts and cheques in Australia, but it was engineered for LHD only and built exclusively in Europe, so – no surprise – the local Kia office had little hopes of getting it here at a good price.
Bloody shame. It's a good thing they never followed through on the rumour of dropping the i30 N's 2.0 turbo petrol engine into it. The envy would've been more than I could bear! (Carsales)
Learn more about the new CLA below
...and see my shitty photochop of its face without the lightbar!
Mike Stevens
**The answer is 'never', of course. Barely anybody wants a wagon anymore, let alone a little one to barely squeeze in beneath the CLA.
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