Mercedes-Benz made news in December when we learned that Kate Upton, the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition cover model, would be pitching the automaker’s all-new 2014 CLA at the Super Bowl next month. With Mercedes determined to target a more youthful buyer for its stylish compact sedan, choosing a beautiful 20-year-old pinup seemed to make good sense.
One of Mercedes-Benz’s most important new models of the year is without doubt the CLA. Not only because it is the brand’s first front-wheel drive saloon, but also because it lowers the entry price to the three-pointed star to around $30k in the U.S. It will launch with a 207hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder in North America. In spite of being front-wheel drive, with the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system offered as an option on certain models, the German carmaker claims that its entry-level saloon boasts all the passive and active safety features of its bigger CLS sibling and it’s also every bit as sporty.
Recently revealed at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, the CLA is essentially a baby CLS that will look to target young buyers who are new to the luxury car world. Watch for many more commercials to be released before they all air on national television on the day of the Super Bowl, Sunday, February 3.
