Visually, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA isn’t terribly different from the car that it replaces. But it’s bigger, has a nicer (looking) interior, and there’s a lot of tech on board. That and there is, tantalizingly, the prospect of a manual.
Unveiled at CES, the new CLA is apparently 48 mm longer, 53 mm wider and two mm lower than the previous generation, as published by Australian news outlet Redline. This means improved rear seat room, more legroom, and additional shoulder and elbow room.
Inside, you’ll recognize the basic setup from the new A Class, including the long screen from Mercedes’s new MBUX system. Driver assistance features include emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
The car that Mercedes has on the stand at CES is apparently the CLA250, which has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-banger that puts out about 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
And this is what’s most interesting, writes Redline:
A host of other powertrains will be available to customers when the CLA goes on sale later this year... The German brand says these powertrains will be paired to a mix of front and all-wheel-drive, and manual and automatic transmissions.
Huh, a new manual Mercedes! When was the last time anybody saw that happen? And if it’s true, will that option come to the U.S.?
We’ve reached out to Mercedes for more confirmation and will update when we hear back.