Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Sport 4MATIC 2014 Review

After a lengthy, supply-led delay, Mercedes-Benz Australia has officially released the CLA 250 Sport 4MATIC for sale on these shores.

Our market was originally to receive the front-wheel drive CLA 250, however, with even heavier supply constraints for that version the decision was made to take the 4MATIC all-wheel drive variant, which was available sooner.

“Any orders received for the front-drive CLA 250 [back when pricing was announced in July 2013] will now receive the 4MATIC version at the front-wheel drive price [$63,400, plus on-road costs],” explained David McCarthy, senior PR manager of Mercedes-Benz Australia. That’s $1500 off the $64,900 (plus ORCs) ask for the 4MATIC, which is available to order in dealers now.

The CLA 250 Sport’s 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission are familiar from the A250 Sport. It produces 155kW and 350Nm, while consuming a claimed 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle. Zero to 100km/h is dispatched in a claimed 6.6sec.

Under the sleek skin, with its lowered stance over 18-inch AMG alloys, diamond-look grille and aggressive front air dams, lies the 4MATIC system. It incorporates a multi-disc clutch and can vary torque split up to 50/50 front-to-rear, the rear axle engagement occurring in around 100ms.

It’s a system which, says David Lejarcegui, Mercedes-Benz Australia product trainer, “is employed as often as necessary, and as rarely as possible”, providing traction when required but otherwise allowing the front treads to lug the load, in the interest of efficiency. It adds 50kg to the total weight of the CLA 250, but the added tractive benefit is obvious.

Having a sporty bent, the CLA 250 Sport has been engineered from the start with extensive input from AMG, who are responsible for the suspension tune, key changes including three degrees of negative camber to the front axle and a 2mm-thicker anti-roll bar.

Larger brakes with perforated front discs and red calipers fill the alloys, and specific engine and gearbox calibrations add further dynamic appeal. The runflat tyres found on the CLA 200 variants have also been replaced with 235/40/R18 Continental Sport rubber.

We’ve already detailed the CLA 200’s specification in our launch review, and the CLA 250 adds further to it.

The interior gains heated, fully electric front ‘sports’ pews with integrated headrests, trimmed – as are the other seats – in black ‘Red Cut’ high-quality leather. ‘Designo’ red seatbelts are standard-fit, though they can be replaced with black items for no charge.

Nappa leather is used for the flat-bottomed steering wheel, with perforated middle sections for a longer, stronger grip. Brushed stainless steel pedals, fillets of aluminium, Artico man-made leather upper dashboard trim and a standard panoramic sunroof with privacy glass for rear occupants give the CLA 250 an inviting ambience.

Externally, the ‘Intelligent light system’ is self-cleaning and uses bi-xenon headlamps with cornering lights, adaptive high beam assist and integrated LED DRLs. LED tail lights are also used.

Firing up the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Sport 4MATIC is immediately promising, the twin rear tail pipes emitting a confident burble. Thank the specific exhaust system, which removes the centre silencer.

The hunkered-down driving position is a further nod to the CLA 250’s ‘coupe’ looks, although I cannot make the short lower seat squab hold my legs comfortably; a disappointment, given the rest of the interior exudes an air of well-resolved quality.

That feeling extends to the ride, which is taut yet responsive without being overly harsh – just what you want from a sports car. However, in combination with the low-profile tyres and louder exhaust, there is more cabin noise than you would expect.

With idle stop-start functioning in Eco mode, the CLA 250 Sport slurs upshifts and mingles in traffic with is, only the occasional delay in transmission take-up – typical with dual-clutch transmissions – spoiling the party.

Clear the traffic, select manual mode (the sport auto setting is not the last word in intuition) and the CLA’s 4MATIC system goes to work, shifting drive quickly to ensure maximum safety and traction. It is well complemented by the more aggressive suspension tune, which scythes into corners, faithfully following your steering input, although obstacles such as mid-corner bumps are unfortunately damped out by the time they reach your fingertips.

It’s that damped feeling that prevails with the CLA 250 Sport; it’s as if there is a deliberate layer between chassis and driver that makes it less inspiring than some of the other sporty machines available in this price bracket. Sure, there’s oodles of grip and poise, but little adjustability or interaction with the driver.

The engine and gearbox are solid partners, the transmission shifting automatically at 6200rpm even if you haven’t popped in an upshift, while lower down the rev range there is a solid flow of mid-range torque. Flat-out acceleration, however, doesn’t feel as strong as the mid-six 0-100km/h time would suggest.

Earlier I asked if the $15,000 price difference was justified between CLA 250 Sport 4MATIC and CLA 200. Having now seen the former’s wide-ranging repertoire on some incredible NZ roads, I’d have to say yes. But at this price-point, the stylish four-door has some serious outer-brand competition.

When the question becomes CLA 250 or $62,200 Audi S3 Sedan, it becomes a matter of personal taste… and the S3’s equally capable chassis and 206kW/380Nm outputs make it harder to justify the CLA 250’s price.