Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2013 | Page 62

MOTORING
ISLAND LIFE MOTORING REVIEW

TEST DRIVEN ON THE ISLAND BY PETER WHITE

Mercedes CLA
With such a wide range of quality cars

the outside, with its part-leather sports seats,

and Bluetooth; internet; 3D map display, and

available these days, it ultimately comes

chrome highlights and chunky vents.

speed limit assist that displays exactly which

down to ‘which one would I really want to buy
and feel comfortable in’?

There have been suggestions from some

speed limit you are driving in every time it

quarters the CLA-Class does not provide the

changes. The panoramic sliding sunroof

comfort that normally comes as standard

and surround sound system enhance the

many top models over the years, I found the

with Mercedes. Don’t believe it – a firm ride

all-round attributes that I could eulogise about

answer to that question when I took out the

yes, but even on Island roads one I found

for hours.

new Mercedes CLA-Class. I soon discovered

comfortable enough. Anyway, who cares

The CLA-Class range – mine had an OTR

it attracted a lot of attention and admiration -

about a few bumps when you are driving

price of £31,555 – also include the six-speed

and rightly so!

a machine that can fly into a corner and

manual CLA 180 Sport and CLA 180

Having been fortunate enough to test drive

charge out the other side effortlessly? This

AMG Sport, with the former costing a very

courtesy of Esplanade Mercedes, Medina

I drove the CLA 220CDi AMG Sport,

four-cylinder beauty, with a seven-speed

competitive OTR price of £24,335. There is

Avenue, Newport and only had to cast an eye

automatic box that creates 170 hp, is all you

also the diesel CLA 220CDi Sport.

over the aerodynamic front, with its diamond

ever want performance-wise.

grille and sleek bonnet to realise Mercedes

Then there is the string of state-of-the-art

have produced something very special. Once

accessories that add to the experience – the

inside, I found the interior just as stylish as

5.8 inch tablet-style display with USB port

The CLA-Class looks the part, feels the part
and really is the part – a car not to be missed
if you are looking for motoring indulgence!

Esplanade, Medina Avenue, Newport PO30 1HG
Tel: [phone] www.esplanade.co.uk

62

www.visitislandlife.com