You know a film franchise has become completely larger than life when businesses from unrelated sectors are trying to attach their names on a fan-created celebratory day that itself has taken a life of its own. This is what Star Wars has become and the importance of today, May 4, among the franchise’s legion of fans has spurred companies to celebrate “May the 4th Be With You” on their own terms. Take Mercedes-Benz for example. The German automaker has been involved with the franchise in the past in some capacity, but now it’s taking its involvement to new heights with the introduction of a pair of special edition CLA180 models that celebrate Star Wars Day.

This is not a gimmick, people. These two special edition Mercedes CLA180 models are legitimate, and they’re set to be offered as exclusives in Japan. Yes, Japan’s getting another special edition car. Different issue for a different day though. What’s important is that Japanese customers who are interested in the new special edition CLA180 actually have a choice of getting a car that’s inspired by either Darth Vader or a Stormtrooper. More importantly, both versions come packed with plenty of Star Wars references so no matter what color of the CLA180 is chosen, buyers will get their fill of Star Wars-related features on both models. About the only downside to these SEs is the aforementioned lack of availability in other markets. I don’t know if Mercedes knows this, but Star Wars has one of the biggest fan bases in the world. It would've probably been a better idea to offer a Star Wars-inspired SE model in more markets than just Japan.

Continue after the jump to read more about the Mercedes CLA180 Star Wars Edition.

2017 Mercedes CLA180 Star Wars Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 Mercedes CLA180 Star Wars Edition
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 121
  • Torque: 148
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

What makes the Mercedes CLA180 Star Wars Edition so special?

You know how the term “special” is subjective and relative to the expectations of people? Well, Mercedes should have no difficulty getting people to talk about or buy the Mercedes CLA180 Star Wars Edition. Not only is the German automaker offering a pair of models as part of this limited run CLA180s, it’s presenting them as having been inspired by either Darth Vader or a Stormtrooper. The final products are two versions that customers can choose from, one featuring a Night Black body paint finish that’s an obvious nod to Darth Vader and another sporting a much cleaner Calcite White finish that’s inspired by a Stormtrooper.

The Vader-inspired Night Black CLA180 also features a high-gloss black grille with chrome accents, black window trim, and a set of 18-inch, multi-spoke wheels that themselves come with polished rims around their respective edges. Move inside and Mercedes smartly adds touches of red on the all-black interior. The red, of course, signifies the colors of the Dark Side, and its presence in the cabin is depicted through the red stitching on the seats, red seat belts, and most importantly, scarlet ambient lighting. Nothing completes the mood of the Sith more than having all that red surrounding you. Very well done, Mercedes.

Now about the Stormtrooper Edition of the Mercedes CLA180. The Calcite White body finish is an obvious giveaway to the actual colors of the Stormtrooper suit. The black trims on the suit are also well-represented on the sedan, particularly on the black trims found in the front lip, window trim, mirror caps, and the side skirts that Mercedes sourced from AMG. This version also gets 18-inch, multi-spoke wheels with their own black accents. Step inside the cabin and it’s a completely different treatment from the dark and ominous ambiance of the Darth Vader CLA180. Instead of black and red, the Stormtrooper CLA180 gets a livelier white and gray treatment with matching silver stitching, white climate control rings, and Space Blue ambient lighting.

Mercedes is only releasing a total of 120 units of the Mercedes CLA180 Star Wars Edition and of that number, each version will receive 60 units. Regardless of what a customer gets though, they still get a wide range of Star Wars-licensed accessories to go with the actual car. For instance, both versions come with puddle lights that show the Star Wars logo and a windshield sunshade depicting Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Obi-wan Kenobi on one side and the “May The Force Be With You” message on the other side. Last but certainly not least is the ignition alarm of R2-D2’s bleeps and bloops (turn the car on or off and our favorite Droid will have something to say about it) and the always fashionable Star Wars floor mats.

If there is a downside to the Mercedes CLA180 Star Wars Edition, it’s the absence of any power upgrades to the sedan’s 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. Not that it matters, but it still would’ve been nice to see a sedan inspired by a film franchise that features the Millennium Falcon, Han Solo’s famous ship that supposedly made the Kessel Run in “less than 12 parsecs.” It’s unlikely that either of these CLA180 SEs can match that run, but it still would’ve been nice to see them have more than 121 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque.

It’s not the first Star Wars-themed special edition vehicle, but it also won’t be the last

Nissan Rogue One Star Wars Edition

Nissan also counts itself as one of the many partners of the Star Wars franchise and just before Star Wars: A Rogue One Story hit cinemas last December, the Japanese automaker presented the exclusive Rogue One Stars Wars Edition at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show. Nissan actually presented the whole thing as a package that can be equipped on Rogue models that also have the Sun And Sound Touring package. Should customers meet the qualifications to get the Rogue One package, they stand to get plenty of Star Wars-related items, including Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire logos on the cupholders and the Rogue One logo badging on the front doors, two of the more prominent features of the SE SUV. In addition, Nissan’s also offering them in two colors – Magnetic Black and Glacier White – together with a host of other aesthetic upgrades like a new black grille, roof rails, door handles, black rear door finisher, and a Star Wars logo clear rear bumper protector.

All in all, Nissan announced that a total 5,400 Rogue units will be available with the Rogue One package. Some 5,000 of these models are headed to the U.S. while the remaining 400 have been earmarked for Canada. The total cost of the Rogue One Star Wars package adds up to $1,990.

Read our full review on the Nissan Rogue One Star Wars Edition here.