Another cool car we don't get

[Shaun @ Tru6]

or maybe we will, Eric would know, is the A class coming here in 2014? It seems there are plenty of cool, small cars on Top Gear that we never see here. I could see this car selling very well here and have recently noticed a ton of new Mercedes C300s and E350s around Boston.

[motion]

That is one pissed off front-end!

[shinrai]

I thought they had white Mazda 3s in the US

Actually cool car.

I saw this a few years ago in China. China. When do we get it?

[Nostril Cheese]

They probably cant make a profit with it in the USA.

[onewhippedpuppy]

We are getting the CLC, which is the A-class done up in CLS style sedan-coupe style. Supposedly we are getting other models but NOT the 5-door hatchback, which I really like. Though all are front wheel drive, which doesn't help their appeal to me.

VW announced several years ago that we aren't getting the Scirocco, I think the fear was that it would cut into GTi sales.

[JAR0023]

Mercedes has already announced the 2014 CLA for this fall. The wife is hinting around about a replacement for her TSX. I'm digging the CLA but the I-Pad on the dash display looks awful to me.

[intakexhaust]

Count me out for the initial looks but I'm liking the numbers. Wicked stuff and real hand-built engines! One man - one engine approach.
AMG 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged powerplant with 360 horsepower and 295 lb ft of torque.
The high power 2.0-liter turbo engine combined with the standard AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive will lead to extreme performance. The 2014 A 45 AMG accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, with a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited). The A 45 AMG engine also leads its segment with fuel consumption of 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres in NEDC combined mode. This is accompanied by particularly low exhaust emissions: the A 45 AMG already complies with the EU6 emissions standard which is not scheduled to enter into force until 2015, combined with the limit for the particle count per kilometer of 6 x 1011 which will be mandatory from 2017.
AMG Speedshift DCT 7-speed sports transmission. Mercedes claims the strengths of the AMG DCT sports transmission include spontaneous gear shifting without any interruption in tractive power, a tailor-made control strategy, extremely smooth and easy gear shifting and a high level of efficiency.

On the E63 the standard Mercedes 4Matic system splits power 45/55 front/rear, and is capable of any combination between 30/70 and 70/30, depending on wheel slippage. That formula didn't exactly work for AMG, and the performance division made the system a permanent 33/67 split plus lighter weight. Will this be the same for the small chassis AMG?

[HardDrive]

I think the car looks absurd.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Is that CLA dash display an option? It looks like an aftermarked add-on.

[Don Ro]

I love small, strong (hot) cars...but, according to Car & Driver, that nifty little A45 Hatchback is selling in Germany for equivalent 64K US.

ps It weighs 3,100 lbs.

[KevinTodd]

CLA=front wheel drive=no thanks.

maybe w/AWD....

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Agreed. I like the Euro A class but I can't and won't do FWD... ever. That's where the line is for me. At the moment I'm leaning towards a BMW 128 convertible but I dunno - no immediate need, next 2-3 years.

[redstrosekNic]

Speaking of cars we don't have here in the US, I would be 100% for the VW polo diesel. Watching the 1 tank challenge on Top Gear convinced me... 75 mpg would be incredible, however, would probably not happen because of our emissions standards. I don't care about slow or FWD for a daily driver... The Porsches make up for any lack of fun I have during my weekly commute.

[BReif61]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Agreed. I like the Euro A class but I can't and won't do FWD... ever. That's where the line is for me.

Why such strong feelings towards FWD? I, like you, prefer RWD/AWD myself but there ARE enjoyable FWD cars (personal reference: MazdaSpeed3).

Originally Posted by redstrosekNic

Speaking of cars we don't have here in the US, I would be 100% for the VW polo diesel. Watching the 1 tank challenge on Top Gear convinced me... 75 mpg would be incredible, however, would probably not happen because of our emissions standards.

All gallons are not the same. British/Imperial gallons are larger than US Gallons, therefore inflating MPG claims. Not by a huge amount, but it is a factor.

[svandamme]

Merc A = frontwheel drive, bleh..

[redstrosekNic]

Originally Posted by BReif61

Why such strong feelings towards FWD? I, like you, prefer RWD/AWD myself but there ARE enjoyable FWD cars (personal reference: MazdaSpeed3).



All gallons are not the same. British/Imperial gallons are larger than US Gallons, therefore inflating MPG claims. Not by a huge amount, but it is a factor.

Yeah just looked up the difference, but when you're talking around 80 mpg, it is great efficiency regardless.

+1 on many FWD cars being fantastic to drive. I would rather drive my '93 Maxima SE 5 speed than a similar vintage 3 or 5 series(with a 6 cylinder). It handles nearly as well, has more power, and is more reliable.

[vash]

forget the baby benz..i'm still mad about this!

[JAR0023]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Is that CLA dash display an option? It looks like an aftermarked add-on.

Factory. I pulled that photo from a random website but if you go to the M-B Canada or a M-B Euro website you can see the same photos.

-J

[McLovin]

That is one g* damn ugly looking car.

[pwd72s]

You're right...I don't "get it".