Will this sexy sports wagon, or Mercedes-Benz prefers it to be called a shooting brake come to Malaysia and sit alongside their extensive range of family and lifestyle vehicles?
Already the fifth model in the compact class, the new CLA35 4MATIC Shooting Brake is the latest point of entry to the world of Mercedes-AMG. The five-door model combines the powerful proportions of a sporty coupé with the decisive extra functionality thanks to the extended roof, the large tailgate, the wide load compartment opening and the variable interior. The agile high-torque 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine delivers 306hp, which is variably distributed to the front and rear axle via the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and the AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The sporty performance (acceleration 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds) is coupled with an increased amount of space for luggage or sports and outdoor equipment.
With sports car genes
The design with its elongated bonnet including power domes, broadly sculpted wheel arches, a slim waistline, compact greenhouse and width-accentuated tail end displays clear sports car genes. The AMG-specific radiator grille with its twin louvre and the AMG Line front apron with flics around the air inlet grilles as well as the front splitter and the inserts on the louvres on the outer air inlet grilles in silver chrome are characteristic elements of the “35” models and are thus also among the distinguishing features of the Shooting Brake.
From a side view, the aerodynamically optimised 18-inch light-alloy wheels in a 5-twin-spoke design and the dynamically sculpted side sill panels catch the eye. The outline of the frameless windows is identical to the outline of the Coupés itself up to the B-pillar. Behind it, the window line runs considerably higher, which makes entering easier for rear passengers and facilitates the larger load compartment capacity.
The rear view is dominated by the rear apron with a diffuser insert and four vertical fins, the AMG airflow break-away edge in the vehicle colour on the roof spoiler and the two round tailpipe trims on the left and right. The two-piece, narrow tail lamps and the number plate housed in the bumper make the tail end look especially wide.
4-cylinder turbo engine with output of 306hp
The 2.0-litre engine is based on the M 260 four-cylinder drivetrain in the new A-Class. The AMG-specific developments include the exhaust-gas turbocharging, the water charge air cooler and the independent air intake (clean air line). The sporty drive system boasts an immediate response to accelerator pedal commands, high tractive power (400 Nm max. torque from 3000 rpm), a supremely lively response and an emotional engine sound. The crankcase made of high-strength, lightweight die-cast aluminium reduces the vehicle weight where it matters most for driving dynamics.
