Here’s why the new Shooting Brake bodystyle makes the already ace Mercedes-Benz CLA an even better EV Leave a comment

Introduction

I used to be blown away by the Mercedes-Benz CLA after I drove it at the tail-end of final yr. It drove like a dream, was super-efficient and the base stage 250+ Sport trim wasn’t quick on equipment. Now that I’ve spent a while behind the wheel of the Shooting Brake model, although, it’s completely the property that will get my vote.

Yes, CLA 250+ AMG Line Premium Plus Shooting Brake is a ridiculously lengthy identify, however it clues you in as to the abundance of additional options and features to anticipate in the cabin – in addition to a extra beneficiant baggage allowance at the rear in comparison with the saloon. Note I didn’t say wagon and sedan there; Mercedes gained’t be bringing the Shooting Brake to North America any time quickly.

My check automotive’s heap of goodies included multibeam LED headlights, the capacious MBUX Superscreen set throughout the sprint, a head-up show and a quite fabulous Burmester 3D Surround Sound audio system. The glorious ambient lighting pack topped all of it off for night-time driving. Some could disapprove of the bling, however I beloved each minute – even in the event that they pushed the asking worth to a heady £56,075. All issues thought of, I really suppose it’s nice worth for a junior government EV that leaves nothing out.

The styling

The CLA is an efficient wanting saloon, however I believe it really works even better in the capturing brake format. This automotive is fantastically smooth, with the AMG Line Premium Plus trim’s pop-out chrome door handles and gloss black alloys giving it a bit of further edge. It simply appears better proportioned to those eyes.

Don’t go anticipating a TARDIS-esque trunk at the rear, although. With 455 litres of seats-up boot house it’s not a complete lot bigger than the 405-litre saloon. Usefully there’s a 101-litre frunk beneath the bonnet, and with the seats down the Shooting Brake is undeniably sensible when it must be.

The inside, full with extra AMG prospers, was a dream too, with man-man leather-based and suede-effect coverings including to the consolation ranges. I did discover the stark white door card panels a bit of distracting at first, however the impact was much less of an situation the longer I used to be behind the wheel. A full-length panoramic glass roof topped it off. Delicious.

The drive

I discovered the CLA saloon bliss to drive and the CLA 250+ capturing brake was all that and extra. This is a such a cushty automotive, with every part handy and little or no effort required to pilot it. I beloved the column shifter, the properly balanced steering and general manoeuvrability. This didn’t actually really feel like an property automotive both and even parking it was a doddle due to the glorious on-board cameras. Getting the CLA 250+ capturing brake round unfamiliar streets was much less worrying than I anticipated and the turning circle was spectacular too.

However, the actual pleasure got here after I acquired out on to the open highway for a two-day journey that coated numerous motorways and loads of A and B roads. On the motorway, the place many EVs begin to lose their cost fairly dramatically, the CLA appeared to hold on regardless and solely sipped at the sizable battery stage. It actually was spectacular to see how far I might get with out utilizing a lot vitality. Even later one night, after I was on an excellent backroad and pushing the automotive fairly enthusiastically, the CLA nonetheless didn’t appear to get flustered. By distinction, I’ve pushed some electrical automobiles the place it’s doable to see the vary dropping by increments in actual time.

The different sensible factor about the CLA is the manner it handles. The automotive feels fairly low and sits on the highway actually properly. As a end result, there’s little fear about throwing it via tight bends and my automotive felt prefer it was on rails. Considering so many EVs really feel a bit of boring to drive, I believe the CLA presents a a lot fizzier expertise. It’s definitely a driver’s automotive and one which needs to be up there with the better of them. At the similar time although, being behind the wheel does really feel decidedly upmarket. That stated, I additionally acquired the feeling that the posh CLA irritated some of us who have been in all probability feeling bitter they weren’t driving one themselves.

The expertise

I get on extraordinarily properly with the newest MB.OS and MBUX infotainment software program discovered inside the CLA vary. While some may say it’s all a bit of an excessive amount of, particularly when there’s one other display unfold proper throughout the sprint to the passenger facet, the options and features are nearly as good as they arrive. I clocked up some excessive miles and having the ability to use the voice assistant was actually useful. It was as intuitive and genuinely useful as another system I’ve tried.

After making an attempt all the completely different view choices for the 10.25in driver show I settled on conventional (but nonetheless digital) dials; to my thoughts they’re the best on the eye. Meanwhile, the 14-inch major display was glorious, particularly when it got here to navigation, discovering chargers and customarily working as anticipated. Topping it off was the head-up show, which was concise however absolutely customisable. The manner the MBUX Superscreen has been laid out and the general color and readability of what was on supply could be very arduous to beat.

Some of the controls on the steering wheel have been fairly delicate, so a few instances I inadvertently modified my dials or cancelled one thing by chance. But that’s a minor grumble in the massive scheme of issues. I additionally made full use of the connectivity on this automotive, selecting to look at some YouTube movies throughout a cease by way of each the major display and the in any other case pointless 14in passenger facet viewing space every time I took a break. The high quality of the image from each was second to none.

A fast point out ought to go to the Burmester audio setup too, which was additionally implausible.

Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Shooting Brake verdict

While the time period capturing brake could be only a fancy manner of claiming ‘estate’, the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ AMG Line Premium Plus is a category act. It’s acquired all the enchantment of the saloon however boosts the practicality ranges a bit of too. Sure, legroom in the again wasn’t fairly as beneficiant as I’d anticipated it to be, however there was no quibble with the high quality and luxury of the seating in both row.

Best of all although, is the driveability of this automotive, which is a dream to be behind the wheel of and that’s topped solely by the excellent effectivity. Anyone who’s ever suffered from vary anxiousness ought to drive the CLA as a result of it has an innate knack of by no means feeling prefer it’ll run out of juice, even when there are solely mere miles left on the vary clock.

Granted, it might nonetheless finally go flat, however what an amazing place to sit down it out if it did.

Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Shooting Brake technical specs