First Drive: Mercedes-Benz CLA Class CLA 220 CDI Sport DCT - Top Gear
Nope, it’s a Shooting Brake, manufacturer speak for a wagon that puts style before everything else, and often used when a coachbuilder makes something longer-roofed from a sports car or coupe. Apt here then, as the CLA’s gestation is somewhat contrived, it being a ‘four-door coupe’. Spun off from the A-Class, the CLA Shooting Brake only adds to the confusion. It’s certainly more useful than the CLA with which it shares everything forward of the B-pillar. Practicality is not at the top of the CLA Shooting Brake’s key selling points then, though that new roofline does mean it’s a bit less claustrophobic for those sat in the back, headroom improving by around 4cm. It’s pretty though…. The transformation from pinched bum, somewhat awkwardly proportioned CLA four-door coupe to CLA Shooting Brake is undeniably successful. Though inside it feels little different except for a differing view out of the rear window. We didn’t get too excited about how the standard CLA relation drove, and the addition of around 30kg of weight to the rear does little to change that. That has fractionally changed the weight over each axle, but it’s so infinitesimal you’d need measuring equipment to notice it. Curiously the 355bhp CLA 45 AMG flagship does come with slightly softer suspension, AMG’s bods. Source: www.topgear.com
