THE MILDER ONE
Mercedes-Benz Thailand is planning to offer a softer AMG model sitting below the CLA45 S.
Badged CLA35, the warmedup coupe-like sedan is hoped to appeal to buyers who don’t need extreme performance and super-racy looks. There are several key differences between the two CLAs.
In terms of appearance, the lesser of the two adopts a more mainstream-like front grille and wheels. As well, the seats in the Thai-spec CLA35 aren’t the racy bucket type as used by its bigger brother.
There are more variations technically. Rather than the CLA45’s M139 four-cylinder engine, the CLA35 gets an M270 version producing a lesser 306hp and 400Nm with a 0-100kph time nearly a full second inferior.
The CLA35 also has an older seven-speed twin-clutch automatic, milder-performing fourpiston brake calipers up front and all-wheel drive without rear torque-vectoring control (simply called 4Matic without the “+” symbol). Even so, the CLA35 should still prove to be a decently fast pocket rocket
with a sub-5sec 0-100kph time enough to satisfy less hard-core drivers in real-world driving.
Helping the CLA35’s cause the most would be its price. Apart from its natural lower price point from the CLA45, Thai assembly is being considered for the CLA35 (and the technically similar A35 Saloon, as well). Mercedes isn’t discussing any potential pricing for the CLA35 yet. But there’s a good chance that it could cost around a million baht less than the CLA45, that is, under 3.5 million baht for the CLA35.