Posted on 12/29/2014 3:05:44 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
The new Mercedes-Benz CLA has absolutely killed its sales since it debuted earlier in the year. Mercedes wanted a new entry-level model that would bring in a younger generation of buyer, and the CLA and GLA have absolutely knocked it out of the park.
Now Mercedes wants to expand the lineup for the cars platform. Weve already seen the CLA 45 AMG, and the GLA, but according to Mercedes, what the CLA needs is a shooting brake. Or what us Americans call a wagon.
Gone are the days of dorky wood-lined station wagons. Todays modern iterations are some of the best all-purpose vehicles you could buy. Wagons maintain a cars style, small size, and ability to bypass the dreaded soccer mom minivan. They have loads of storage, and generally look better than the regular sedans they are based on. The new CLA Shooting Brake is no exception....
(Excerpt) Read more at autos.yahoo.com ...
Both agencies have served their purpose and need to be trimmed back to skeleton crews
>>WHY, would a (seemingly) utilitarian auto not be offered in the US ?
Because regulatory costs for the U.S. market are quite high, over a $million for EPA mileage certification and NHTSA crash testing. Any change in engine / transmission / body style (sedan to wagon) means a complete new approval process. Unless you sell a large number, it isn’t worth it, and overall the American consumer wants an SUV and not a sport wagon, unfortunately.
You can really see what all we are missing by looking at what is available on Euro auto sites vs. U.S. ones. For instance, there are tons of body style / engines / transmission combinations available at http://audi.de that are not available at http://audiusa.com
It’s just another way that Fedgov overregulation adversely impacts day-day life and inhibits innovation.
NHTSA, not DOT, and see my post above. We’re all in agreement.
Same here.
I first though it was some kinda James Bond 007 thing for clearing traffic jams!
Low $30,000’s to start. Means Mercedes is invading Chevy/Ford/Toyota/Honda territory.
The C-class is a very well engineered car: it drives very smooth & refined and sips gas, especially with the eco-boost. However, there are some definite cons: size (it’s small), it has low profile tires (gotta dodge them potholes religiously), Nazi like vehicle warnings, and routine maintenance is obscenely expensive.
The CLA came out the year after I bought mine, but the reviews off them have been bad. As the price would indicate, they are Mercedes lite.
“Shooting Brake?” I realize the term has historical significance, but they need to come up with a better name than that.
I’m with you on the name. When I saw it, all I could think of was the recoil reducer at the end of the barrel on dad’s old Browning Auto-5 or the muzzle brake on the M109-series howitzer. Confusing...
My dad was a Packard man...
The sides were vinyl ... The girl?
Ask the man who owns one.
Much better name for them. The petrol heads are the best.
The mod squad got around for a couple of seasons until it burned in one episode.
The original shooting brake was a luxury car that was equipped to carry British gentlemen, their guns, and their dogs to a hunt. Over time, the name came to be applied to what we know as station wagons.
Google “rolls royce shooting brake” for examples.
A one-off 1953 Cadillac wagon styled by Brooks Stevens.
I looked at a CLA. The low price is for a bare bones car. If you add what you want they are almost into C class prices.
Disclaimer: We own a 350 GLK.
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