Mercedes-Benz has handed its CLA a subtle facelift that includes an updated cabin and a shift towards mild-hybrid petrol powertrains…

The C118-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA has gone under the knife, gaining subtly revised exterior styling, an updated cabin and the addition of mild-hybrid gubbins for the standard petrol models. The Mercedes-AMG CLA35 likewise gains a light form of electrification, while the range-topping 310 kW powertrain of the CLA45 S is unchanged.

As with most mid-cycle updates, the 2nd-generation CLA’s facelift includes items such as a renewed front-apron design, a revised grille (with a star pattern in the case of standard models) and a redesigned rear diffuser. High-performance LED headlamps, meanwhile, are now standard and furthermore score “modernised graphics”.

Fresh paint colours have also been added to the range, including “hyper blue” (a hue exclusive to the CLA) and “spectral blue”, while 3 additional alloy-wheel designs (up to 19 inches) have been rolled out. As standard, the updated CLA rides on 17-inch 5-spoke wheels in vanadium silver or 5-double-spoke items in high-gloss black with a high-sheen finish.

Updated CLA moves to mild-hybrid petrol engines

Petrol engines (including the CLA35 pictured above but excluding the CLA45) gain mild-hybrid tech.

Though the engine range for South Africa has yet to be confirmed, all previously standard petrol mills in the updated CLA (expect that of the CLA45 S) are now electrified. As such, the 4-cylinder units are equipped with a 48-volt on‑board power supply as well as a new belt-driven starter‑generator. During braking and acceleration, the starter-generator recuperates what would otherwise be lost energy and supplies it to 12-volt on-board network and the 48-volt battery.

So, in the case of the CLA200 currently offered here in SA in pre-facelift form, the turbocharged 1.3-litre engine still makes 120 kW, though an additional 10 kW is briefly on offer thanks to the mild-hybrid tech. The turbodiesel lumps, however, are unchanged; the CLA 220d remains a 2.0-litre oil-burner generating 140 kW and 400 Nm.

In Europe, Mercedes-Benz furthermore offers a plug-in hybrid version of the sleek sedan (badged as the “CLA 250 e”), which upgrades to an improved high-voltage battery that offers a higher usable energy content (and thus better electric range). The power of the electric motor has also increased by 5 kW (to 80 kW) and again works alongside a 120 kW turbocharged 1.3-litre petrol unit.

A peek inside the facelifted CLA’s cabin

Various minor changes have been made in the CLA’s cabin.

Inside, you’ll again find a free-standing double screen, though it now incorporates a 7-inch and a 10.25-inch display as standard (a pair of 10.25-inch displays creating a wide-screen effect is an option). The steering wheel is upholstered in Nappa leather, but is also available in Artico synthetic leather. Look closely and you’ll also notice new trim elements available in a dark carbon look, open-pore brown lime wood or brown microfibre.

Comfort seats ship standard in a combination of synthetic leather and fabric (black as standard or sage grey as an option), with the latter upholstery comprising 100% recycled materials. Different interior colour schemes are available for each of the equipment lines (as many as 5 in the case of the AMG Line).

Though standard kit levels will obviously vary by market, Mercedes-Benz says the CLA’s equipment list has been “significantly upgraded”. In Europe, for example, the base CLA comes with items such as high-beam assist, a reversing camera and a USB package, in addition to a leather tiller and LED headlamps. The Stuttgart-based firm says “other functional equipment” is bundled into packages “based on real customer behaviour”.

The CLA also features the latest generation of MBUX, complete with newly designed display styles, a revised telematics system and “improved performance”. A fresh feature is wireless connectivity with smartphones via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. There’s also an additional USB-C port as well as increased USB charging capacity, while all USB ports are now illuminated.

Mercedes-AMG CLA35 and CLA45 S also updated

This is the new AMG Street Style Edition of the facelifted CLA45 S.

The pair of CLA models fettled by the folks from Affalterbach also score a few updates. The CLA35, for instance, upgrades to a new AMG-specific grille with vertical slats, while also gaining a reshaped front apron and a round badge with the AMG emblem. Inside, there are new upholstery covers for the standard sports seats.

Redesigned light-alloy wheels for the 35-badged model includes 10-spoke 18-inch items in black and optional 5-twin-spoke 19-inch wheels. The CLA45 S, meanwhile, rides on 19-inchers as standard, with a 2nd design in the same size available as an option.

While the all-wheel-drive CLA45 S sticks with an unchanged version of its high-output 310 kW/500 Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder engine, the likewise all-paw CLA35’s 225 kW/400 Nm 2.0-litre unit gains a 48-volt electrical system and a belt-driven starter-generator (and again a temporary power boost of 10 kW). However, Mercedes-AMG has added a new limited-run version of the CLA 45 S called the “AMG Street Style Edition”, complete with fluorescent orange accents.

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