The new Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4Matic, featuring an iconic design and intelligent MBUX interior assistant, is celebrating its world premiere as part of the New York International Auto Show on April 16.

The new CLA 35 4Matic (combined fuel consumption 7.3-7.2 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions 167-164 g/km)  is the latest, more lifestyle-oriented, point of entry to the world of Mercedes-AMG. The four-door coupé shares the progressive technology of the A-Class.

The agile high torque 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine delivers 225 kW (306 hp), which is variably distributed to all four wheels via the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and the all-wheel drive. The sporty driving performance (acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds) is linked with a wide spread of the driving experience - from very sporty to comfortable on long journeys.

"With its iconic design and agile driving dynamics, the new CLA 35 is an attractive offer for a young, active and lifestyle-conscious target group,” said Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

“These customers define their requirements very clearly: They expect exciting design from their vehicle alongside superior performance and inspiring handling characteristics. The new CLA 35 embodies just this attitude to life – and enables stepping in to the fascinating world of AMG Driving Performance in a particularly emotional way.”

The combination of sporty design and sophisticated details is also featured in the MBUX infotainment system with its innovative operating and display concept. The previous COMMAND systems have been replaced by the MBUX, creating a closer connection between the vehicle, driver and passengers. Emotionally appealing presentations underline the clear control structure and feature brilliant maximum-resolution 3D graphics. Visually, the two displays blend into a Widescreen Cockpit and consequently emphasise the horizontal orientation of the interior design.

The new optional MBUX interior assistant recognizes movement meaning select infotainment functions can be operated through certain hand gestures and the reading light can be switched on and off.

In the Radio and Media menu, using the MBUX interior assistant reduces the number of operating steps. In the Navigation menu, the system fades in the navigation as soon as a hand moves to operate the touchscreen or touchpad, so that a symbol is selected directly. When displaying the camera image, as soon as a hand moves toward the touchscreen the MBUX interior assistant enables the four camera operating symbols from the 360-degree camera to be directly faded in. This means that the front, rear, right or left camera view can be directly selected.

The CLA 35 4Matic also comes with trailblazing voice control, activated by "Hey Mercedes". Thanks to artificial intelligence, MBUX recognises and understands nearly all sentences from the fields of infotainment and vehicle operation, even if they are expressed indirectly.

The customer can choose between the three AMG display styles "Classic", "Sport" and "Supersport" for the instrument cluster. The "Supersport" mode is particularly striking with a central, round rev counter and additional information presented in the form of bars to the left and right of the rev counter: with a three-dimensional perspective, they reach far into the background to an artificial horizon. Via the AMG menu, the driver can call up various special displays such as Warm-up, Set-up, G-Force and Engine Data.

New four-cylinder turbo engine with output of 225 kW (306 hp)

The 2.0-litre turbo engine is a new development and is based on the M 260 four-cylinder engine in the new A-Class. The new drive boasts a spontaneous response to accelerator pedal commands, high tractive power (400 Nm max. torque from 3,000 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.

A twin-scroll turbocharger is used for turbocharging, combining optimum responsiveness at low engine speeds with a strong power increase at higher speeds. The housing of the twin-scroll turbocharger is divided into two parallel ducts, which, in conjunction with two separate exhaust ducts, make it possible to channel the exhaust gases separately on the turbine wheel.

This results in a further advantage of twin-scroll technology, i.e. minimisation of the mutually adverse effects of the individual cylinders on the gas cycle. The exhaust gas back pressure is reduced and gas exchange and engine efficiency are improved.

The AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7G dual-clutch transmission also contributes to the agile and dynamic character of the new CLA 35 4Matic. The gear ratios have been configured so that the driver experiences very spontaneous acceleration in all speed ranges.

The standard RACE-START function, is a highly emotional experience, allowing maximum acceleration from stationary. The functions of the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7G transmission are rounded off with a temporary M mode activated by operating the steering wheel shift paddles in any driving mode, and with the manual transmission mode "M" for manual gear shifting with the shift paddles.

The different manifestations of AMG DYNAMICS are called "Basic" and "Advanced". On the multimedia display, when a drive program is selected, the new AMG DYNAMICS symbol is displayed together with the corresponding additional information.

•    "Basic" is assigned to the "Slippery" and "Comfort" drive programs. In this case, the CLA 35 4Matic shows very stable handling with high damping of the yaw rate.
•    "Advanced" is activated in the programs "Sport" and "Sport+". The CLA 35 4Matic remains neutrally balanced. The lower yaw damping, lower steering angle requirement and enhanced agility support dynamic manoeuvres such as driving on winding country roads.

The MBUX Augmented Reality function also allows the ideal line of a stored racetrack to be displayed on the multimedia display or optional head-up display, allowing the driver to improve lap times with a virtual instructor on board. – TradeArabia News Service