Modern cars are evolving at a frightening pace, whether it’s technology, design or the way they drive. Media attending the sneak preview of the new Mercedes-Benz CLA found themselves somewhat taken aback. In a good way, for the most part.
I’m no tech guru, but the idea of playing video games like Angry Birds on my expensive CLA sounds rather absurd. I am paying close to R1 million for a car, not a gaming console. What is the world coming to? Then again, this is the era of AI, self-driving tech and Elon Musk launching ever-more bizarre creations.
Apart from my woes, the new CLA is geared towards the young, budding professional looking to enter the three-pointed star family. There’s a lot to like. The rear styling instantly captured my attention. It’s curvy, sporty and has a futuristic edge.
The front end took a little more convincing. Remember Sid from Ice Age? That was the vibe I got at first. But the CLA’s sleek silhouette, flush door handles, and striking AMG wheels ensure you still look like the real deal.
As for technology, Mercedes-Benz has gone all in. If two screens weren’t enough, the new CLA can be specified with three. The passenger gets a dedicated display, giving them access to entertainment, music, games, and various vehicle functions while on the move.
The biggest talking point, however, is the artificial intelligence baked into the new operating system. The CLA is the first Mercedes-Benz to run the brand’s new MB.OS platform, combining ChatGPT and Google Gemini into its MBUX Virtual Assistant.
In theory, you can have natural conversations with your car, ask complex navigation questions, search for points of interest and receive contextual responses, all through voice control. Whether we’ll all end up chatting to our cars like old friends remains to be seen, but the technology is impressive.
Voice control is present, of course, while the cabin retains the signature Mercedes-Benz flair. Ambient lighting, a chunky three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, quality materials and supportive leather seats make it a pleasant place to spend time. The large panoramic glass roof further enhances the sense of space and occasion.
Under the bonnet sits a new 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 120kW and 250Nm through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Mercedes-Benz claims fuel consumption of just 5.4l/100km, but we’ll put it to the test when we get our hands on it soon.
At R937,000, the CLA 200 certainly isn’t cheap. But for buyers wanting a stylish entry into the Mercedes-Benz range with enough technology to make a smartphone blush, it might just be one of the most interesting new cars on the market.
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