An electrified future for the CLA looms large - how fondly will its combustion era be remembered?
we drove recently. Those unfamiliar with the Mercedes way of doing things will be perplexed; those with some experience will have their choice of head-up display, dash and drive mode sorted not long after starting up. Some lovely lighting and neat features can’t entirely distract, however, from a car that probably doesn’t feel as solid as a £50k Mercedes should.
Having not driven a 35 AMG for a little while, it’s nice to be reminded how purposeful it feels - a proper 45 understudy rather than an extension of the regular lineup. The brake pedal is firm, the gearshift paddles feel great, the ratios of the dual-clutch are tightly stacked, and the launch control is great for rally driver impressions.
With the end of petrol-powered junior AMGs looming large, it seems churlish to criticise the engine too much. Especially as the sector is hardly blessed with standout 2.0-litre four-cylinders, from VW’s fairly ordinary EA888 to Hyundai’s Theta . But the fact remains that the M260 turbo is just a bit plain, even with new mild hybrid assistance; all the blazing shift lights and exhaust artillery fire in the world can’t hide that.
To drive, the CLA does what these ‘35 AMGs have always done: providing an assured, capable, enjoyable all-wheel drive experience. Sure, it isn’t the last word in thrills, though nor is it a fun-free zone. Sport feels like the best compromise of the Dynamic Select modes, with Comfort a little less firm but not as well controlled. Perhaps the sound is overdone, though that feels almost par for the course these days.
That doesn't make it bad, of course - it's significantly better sorted than the last Audi S3 PH tested - but in creating some of the best compact cars in years (think