The compact car family of Mercedes-Benz changed a paradigm and helped the brand attract younger buyers. With the help of the new and highly attractive models that have been gradually released since autumn 2011, the Stuttgart-based constructor managed to decrease its average client age by up to 15 years, with a big majority of today's clients having less than 30 years. The B-Class W 246 was the first milestone of the race, but it was the A-Class W 176 hatchback that said goodbye to the old MPV architecture and really set fire to the whole compact game. One year after its premiere in spring 2012, it was followed by the first-ever compact four-door coupe in the guise of the CLA-Class C 117. Late summer of 2013 saw the advent of the GLA-Class X 156 crossover, whereas during fall of 2014 the CLA Shooting Brake X 117 came up to complete the lineup. Since the birth of the A-Class back in October 1997 and up to now, combined with the sales of the new generation of compact cars and the previous A-Class W 169 series and first generation B-Class W 245, Mercedes-Benz has managed to sell more than 5,555,555 units in the compact class. And the future sounds marvelous: apart from the actual variant offerings, the forthcoming compact family will grow at up to eight models. The three new additions to the range will be the first-ever A-Class Limousine (possibly a global model and not just a China-targeted car like the BMW 1er Sedan, its direct competitor from Bavaria), the GLB-Class compact SUV (a mini G-Class, as spy shots indicate) and the fully electric EQA model coming in 2020.

Scroll down to read the official press release on this topic. Enjoy!

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Stuttgart, Germany - The A-Class from Mercedes-Benz celebrates its 20-year anniversary this month. On 18 October 1997 in Rastatt, a customer took possession of one for the very first time. More than three million others followed. As a result, the model not only established the segment of compact cars at Mercedes-Benz, but also began a real success story. Since then, more than 5,555,555 customers chose to buy an A-Class, B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake or GLA. While the first generations were popular with buyers mainly due to their functionality, the new generation of the family of compact cars launched in 2011 impressed above all with its sporty design. This played a significant role in changing the image of Mercedes-Benz.

The buyers of a compact car from the Stuttgart-based brand bearing the three-pointed star have become younger. Today, European A-Class drivers are 13 years younger on average, than they were in 2011. In China, one out of three customers last year even was under the age of 30. And the success story continues: in future, Mercedes-Benz will have eight models in the compact car segment. A first look ahead to this provided Mercedes-Benz this year. In April 2017 the Concept A Sedan show car was presented at the Shanghai Auto Show. How e-mobility in the compact car segment could look like showed Mercedes-Benz at this year’s International Motor Show in Frankfurt with the Concept EQA.

Credits: Mercedes-Benz / Daimler AG

Copyright © 2017, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

The CLA-Class has opened up a new market segment for Mercedes-Benz. BRABUS has naturally also developed an exclusive refinement program for this new model series. As is the style of the company, it includes a sporty-elegant designer outfit, powerful engine tuning, tailor-made BRABUS wheels with diameters of 18 and 19 inches, sporty-comfortable suspension solutions, and individual interior options.

The dynamic ex-factory appearance of the Mercedes CLA can receive further sporty emphasis with tailor-made BRABUS design components. The bodywork components are manufactured in OEM quality from high-grade PU plastics.

The BRABUS designers designed the front spoiler to attach to the lower section of the bumper. This not only boosts the CLA’s passing clout, but its design fine-tuned in the wind tunnel also reduces negative lift on the front axle at high speeds. In the rear the subtle BRABUS separation edge on the trunk lid and the roof spoiler successfully master the identical task.

The BRABUS alloy wheels in OEM quality are also a major factor in the BRABUS look for the CLA-Class. The 18- and 19-inch wheels were designed specifically for this car. The wheels lend the CLA an even more attractive appearance while giving it even more dynamic handling.

The largest wheel option for the Mercedes sport sedan are BRABUS 8.5Jx19 wheels in the five distinctive Monoblock E, F, Q, R and S designs. The matching high-performance tires are supplied by BRABUS technology partners Continental, Pirelli and YOKOHAMA in sizes 225/35 R 19 in front and 255/30 R 19 on the rear axle.

The BRABUS sport springs for the various versions of the CLA are calibrated to the low-profile tires. They lower the ride height of the four-door car by some 25 millimeters (1 in.). The lowered center of gravity provides an ideal combination of sporty handling and highly comfortable ride. The lowered ride height of course also benefits the car’s appearance.

BRABUS offers the world’s most extensive engine tuning program for Mercedes-Benz automobiles, backed by the BRABUS Tuning Warranty® of three years, up to 100,000 kilometers/62,000 miles, a warranty that is unrivalled in the industry. The BRABUS motor engineers themselves strive for a perfect combination of a high level of performance with outstanding refinement, exemplary eco-friendliness and durability beyond reproach. BRABUS recommends MOTUL high-performance lubricants.

At the 2013 IAA BRABUS presents the PowerXtra B25 performance kit for the turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine of the CLA 250. The BRABUS PowerXtra module is adapted to the engine electronics using plug-and-play technology.

The new parameters for engine electronics and boost-pressure control bump power output from stock 155 kW / 211 hp (208 bhp) to 180 kW / 245 hp (241 bhp). At the same time peak torque grows from 350 to 385 Nm (258 to 284 lb-ft).

This results in significantly enhanced dynamic handling and driving fun. The sprint time from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) is shortened to 6.7 seconds, top speed jumps to 250 km/h (155 mph). This makes the BRABUS-refined CLA 250 one of the most agile cars in its class.

Various BRABUS ECO PowerXtra performance kits are available for the diesel models of the CLA-Class. The plug-and-play BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D3 module is available for the CLA 220 CDI. It boosts power output of the common-rail turbodiesel from 125 kW / 170 hp (168 bhp) to 155 kW / 210 hp (208 bhp) and bumps peak torque to 410 Nm (302 lb-ft). A sprint time of 7.9 seconds for 0 - 100 km/h (62 mph) and a top speed of 238 km/h (148 mph) fully live up to the sporty outfit of the four-door car.

The BRABUS product lineup also includes stainless-steel sport exhausts with dual chrome tailpipes on either side sporting the characteristic BRABUS design. CLA owners can choose from a conventional version and the version with controlled butterfly valve, which currently is only available for the CLA 250. It allows drivers to switch between a subtle and a markedly sporty exhaust note at the push of a button in the cockpit.

The interior of any CLA can also be customized. The product options range from two-tone stainless-steel scuff plates with BRABUS logo and high-quality floor and trunk mats to matt anodized BRABUS aluminum pedals or door-lock pins.

Demands for further customization are fulfilled in the BRABUS upholstery shop. Upon customer request the experienced craftsmen transform especially soft yet extremely durable BRABUS Mastik leather and fine Alcantara into an exclusive BRABUS fine leather interior in any desired color.


















~ Official photos and details courtesy of BRABUS GmbH ~

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