Autoblog

BMW may keep next 1 Series out of the US

Jeffrey N. Ross — Tue, 07 May 2013 17:46:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, BMW

As BMW prepares to introduce the all-new 2 Series coupe and convertible, the 1 Series name definitely won't be going away. We know new sedan and hatchback models are in the works; including the GT shown above. According to Car and Driver, though, the future of the 1 Series nameplate in the US could be dependent on rival premium small cars like the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and Audi A3.

In an interview with C/D, BMW's North American head of product planning and strategy, Paul Ferraiolo, said that pricing might be the biggest deterrent to offering the third-gen 1 Series in the US. As he points out, BMW currently prices the 1 not too far from the 3 Series, but Mercedes-Benz and Audi will have their new small cars priced well below the $30,000 mark. BMW's Mini brand will also factor into the consideration since the 1 GT will share its underpinnings with the next-gen Cooper lineup.

BMW may keep next 1 Series out of the US originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 May 2013 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz to go back to Super Bowl with CLA and model Kate Upton

Zach Bowman — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Mercedes-Benz, Celebrities, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz may have skipped advertising during last year's Super Bowl, but according to Automotive News, the manufacturer will be back for 2013. The company plans to introduce its new CLA to the public at large during the game, using the opportunity to reach some 111.3 million US viewers.

While speaking with Advertising Age, Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon said the CLA is a "highly stylized four-door coupe" that will bow with "a surprising price." In addition to pulling the wraps off the new model, Cannon said he hopes the advertising campaign will help Mercedes-Benz reach a wider consumer base than it typically accesses.

The automaker typically sees buyers with an average age of around 50 years old for its C-Class, but the Super Bowl should show off the CLA to its target demographic: 30 and 40-year-old buyers. And what exactly will the spot look like? Mercedes-Benz isn't saying, but Automotive News suggests both Kate Upton and Usher may play a part in the spot.

Mercedes-Benz to go back to Super Bowl with CLA and model Kate Upton originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Dec 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz CLA caught uncovered ahead of reveal

George Kennedy — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 15:44:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

The ever-covert spy photographers at Brenda Priddy & Company have nabbed a fresh one. This time, it's a new Mercedes-Benz that looks to be a mix between an A-Class and the CLS-Class four-door coupe. It is being called the CLA-Class, and it has been caught completely sans-camo in preparation for a shoot in Iceland.

The CLA is the much-anticipated A-Class derivative that is coming Stateside, first announced in Beijing. Word is that the small Mercedes is a front-wheel drive, and likely powered by either a 170-horsepower 2.2-liter four or a 208-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged mill. This new FWD architecture is called MFA, and is also shared with the Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

The design of the CLA-Class is heavily rooted in the Concept Style Coupe showcar, first seen at an art show at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. The most notable feature is the car's silhouette, which appears to echo that of the larger CLS-Class. The front end of the CLA is similar to that of the A-Class, albeit as a somewhat bolder interpretation of that design. Perhaps the one puzzling element to the design is the grille - utilizing a unique pattern has been reserved for Benz concept cars thus far. Either Mercedes-Benz is using the CLA as the first implementation of the pinpoint grille design in a production car, or the vehicle you see before you is a "production ready concept." We will know for certain when the showroom-ready version arrives next year as a 2014 model.

Mercedes-Benz CLA caught uncovered ahead of reveal originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz expanding Hungarian plant to support B-Class, CLA production

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 19:03:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz kicked off production of its new B-Class earlier this year at its Kecskemet plant near Budapest, Hungary, and according to Automotive News Europe, the all-new CLA-Class will be built at this plant, too, starting next year. To support the two new premium compacts, the facility will double its annual output to 300,000 units by 2015.

AN reports that this increased capacity will cost Daimler "several tens of billions" of forints (Hungary's currency) which sounds like it might be in the neighborhood of roughly $178 million USD (40 billion forints). It isn't clear if, or how many, jobs will be created by this expansion, but the article does point out that Hungary is currently in the midst of a recession so this investment in the country should be well received. In total, Daimler has already spent $1.9 billion USD on production facilities in Hungary - as well as China and Germany - to bolster its products in this rapidly growing vehicle segment.

In addition to the A-Class, B-Class and future CLA-Class (which are all expected to go on sale in the U.S.), Mercedes-Benz plans two other compact vehicles, the GLA-Class crossover and the new SLA-Class roadster.

Mercedes-Benz expanding Hungarian plant to support B-Class, CLA production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe shows up at Transmission LA: AV Club

Michael Harley — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Sedan, Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style, Luxury

In the wake of images leaking earlier this week, Mercedes-Benz rolled out its Concept Style Coupe at the Transmission LA:AV CLUB at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA), yesterday. The "CSC" is expected to officially make its world debut at the Beijing Motor Show next week, but the sneak preview gave us an early look at the four-door in the flesh.

Expected to ride atop Mercedes' new MFA platform, the CSC is a close-to-production glimpse at the automaker's long-awaited compact sedan (expected to be called CLA when it arrives). Styled like a smaller version of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the CSC features sleek and aggressive bodywork over 20-inch turbine-style wheels. The roof features a large panoramic glass panel allowing plenty of light to spill into the four-place cabin. Under the hood of the concept is a turbocharged four-cylinder, rated at 211 horsepower, sending its power to the automaker's 4Matic all-wheel drive system.

The art exhibit, open free of charge through May 6, is an interesting audio visual experience curated by Mike D of the Beastie Boys. The Mercedes-Benz CSC is shown in a dark room under banks of halogen lights that are choreographed to illuminate to the music (only audible by wearing headsets hung from the rafters). It was nearly impossible to take pictures, but we have updated our gallery with some supplied photography. Don't forget to check out the press release below.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe shows up at Transmission LA: AV Club

Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe shows up at Transmission LA: AV Club originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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