The 2020 Mercedes CLA Will Become More Practical in the Future as it Morphs into a New Shape

TopSpeed

By Andrei Nedelea

Published Jan 20, 2019

CLA shooting brake on its way but Mercedes is keeping it under wraps for now

Mercedes-Benz is already parading camouflaged prototypes of its upcoming CLA wagon, the second generation of the load-lugging four-door coupe that is based on the A-Class. This time the model is all the more unique since there is no bigger CLS shooting brake anymore, so buyers looking for this type of sporty looking wagon within the Mercedes range will have to settle for the new CLA.

Looking through the spy photos for the CLA shooting brake, it’s pretty clear the car is not going to differ too much in terms of formula from the original. It does, however, look maybe a bit longer and an overall bigger car - it looks less tall than the first one, and there also appears to be more rear glass.

In an attempt to speculate what the car will end up looking like, I made this rendering that shows my version of the CLA estate from a lateral and rear three-quarter view. I tried to keep it as close to the camouflaged prototypes in terms of proportions while at the same time retaining the cleanliness of design that already makes the CLA sedan stand out.

It was far bolder and more interesting to look at than any other smallish estate in its size bracket, and it did offer some extra practicality.

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But its shape ultimately limited the amount of space inside and more or less compromised it as a serious load lugger - buyers most likely didn’t get a CLA estate to haul stuff in it, but more as a fashion statement or an accessory. This new one should be more spacious inside (since the car is a bit bigger overall), but it’s too early to make judgment on this.

Regarding its engine range, it will be identical to what you already see in the A-Class, including the hot 35 and 45 performance models.

If it isn’t shown there, there is still a high chance it will be shown at a major European motoring venue - maybe Frankfurt or Paris.