Mercedes will reveal more on its updated CLA today
The revised Mercedes CLA will debut on 18 January 2023, as confirmed by a shadowy teaser image posted by the German firm. The coupe-like four door is in its second-generation and acts as a direct rival to the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.
We’ve only seen spy shots of the new CLA testing before, so this is our first official glimpse but any new design details aren’t exactly clear. We expect the CLA to hit showrooms later this year with a mild increase on the current model’s £35,220 starting price tag.
The most obvious change seen in the teaser image is the new rear light signature – it’s much more akin to the one on the new Mercedes C-Class. Previous spy shots also show a subtly reprofiled front bumper and new headlight units, which feature a dual-element signature for the daytime running lights.
The facelifted CLA will retain the svelte profile of the outgoing car, with an arcing roofline, sinewy bonnet bulges and a single crease along the flanks. There appears to be a new radar system integrated into the windscreen, however, which could hint at upgraded ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) technology.
New wheel designs will also come as part of the update and Our spies have photographed the more practical shooting brake estate variant of the car, which will get the same round of styling tweaks.
There won't be any radical changes inside the CLA, which already boasts one of the most advanced cabins in the class. The facelifted A-Class, with which the CLA shares plenty of its technology and indeed powertrain, was facelifted last year so it’ll be a similar story here.
The dual 10.25-inch infotainment screens will be retained but we’ll see the latest MBUX software with more customization for the display style. Higher trim levels will get a heads-up display, Mercedes’ “interior assistant” and a 360-degree camera as standard.
The facelifted model is unlikely to receive the firm's latest double-spoke steering wheel design, but a raft of new upholstery and trim options could arrive as part of the update.
Fairly significant tweaks are expected under the skin, with every petrol engine becoming electrified, with a seven-speed or eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard. The new mild-hybrid system includes a 48V motor which Mercedes says “supports agility when starting off with an extra 13bhp”. Mercedes engineers should also retune the suspension to provide a better ride and handling balance.
The CLA's current range consists of a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine with either 134bhp or 161bhp, alongside a puncher 187bhp 2.0-litre motor which can be specified with four-wheel drive. There's also a plug-in hybrid variant built around the 1.3-litre petrol, which produces 215bhp.
Despite falling out of favour with buyers in recent years, diesel power may also be available in the form of the 2.0-litre CLA 220 d. On the other end of the spectrum, spiced-up AMG models will top the range – but the 302bhp CLA 35 and the racier 415bhp CLA 45 S are unlikely to receive any power upgrades.
Now read our in-depth review of the current generation Mercedes CLA…
Keyword: Facelifted 2023 Mercedes CLA given official teaser