First Look at the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class as a Style Rebel

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has been officially unveiled and added to the Mercedes-Benz vehicle lineup

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has been officially unveiled and added to the Mercedes-Benz vehicle lineup. The all-new 2014 CLA250 arrives in U.S. dealerships Fall 2013. The four-door coupe takes the majority of its design cues from the Mercedes CLS that was also considered a style rebel when it debuted in Detroit in 2003. The brand new CLA features world-leading aerodynamics, an avant-garde coupe design and 4MATIC all-wheel drive, that will be available in Spring 2014. With its frameless doors, the four-door coupe seamlessly carried over the design of the Concept Style Coupe into series production. The new model features COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST as a standard feature, that is an assistance program that engages at speeds above 4 mph, kicking in the radar-based braking system that is able to warn the driver of obstacles and is able anticipate braking force when the driver steps on the brake pedal.

“The response to the Concept Style Coupe was overwhelming. The most frequent comment by far was ‘Please put this car into series production.’ That’s precisely what we are doing now,” notes Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management for Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. “The CLA is a car that does not confuse ‘mid-size’ with ‘mid-quality’. Its sporty design underscores the sporty side of the Mercedes-Benz brand.”

The sporty CLA comes with a powerful turbocharged engine generating 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, as well as sport suspension and available 4MATIC all- wheel drive. The technical highlights of this new design icon include a new world record in aerodynamics for series production automobiles (Cd value: 0.23) and a wide range of driver assistance systems, including advanced COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST.

This radar-based assistance system provides the driver with visual and acoustic warnings of identified obstacles and primes Brake Assist for adaptive braking. Brake Assist is initiated as soon as the driver steps hard on the brake pedal. When the system identifies a risk of collision, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST calculates the precise braking force ideally needed to avoid an accident and makes the best possible use of any distance remaining. Adaptive Braking Assist activates at speeds of just 4 mph and gives trailing vehicles as much time as possible to also react accordingly and avoid another accident.

There are four special equipment packages and a series of standalone options for individualizing the striking compact four-door coupe (length/width/height: 182.3/80.0/56.6 inches). In keeping with the digital lifestyle of the CLA’s social media-savvy target group, smartphones can also be fully integrated into the vehicle’s display and operating system via mbrace2, which is standard equipment.

Following a brief appearance on the eve of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the CLA will celebrate its official world premiere at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin (January 15 to 18, 2013). The new CLA will arrive at U.S. dealerships in September 2013.

The style rebel – exterior design

Its sporty proportions and powerfully dynamic design language featuring the interaction of concave and convex surfaces give this four-door coupe its distinctive look. The CLA carries the avant-garde design of the Concept Style Coupe into series production almost 1:1.

Striking features include the hood with its power domes and the diamond-look grille. The arrangement of the headlights and LEDs behind the headlamp lens evokes the characteristic “flame effect” for the optional daytime running lights and indicators. This light signature is a key aspect of the car’s energetic look and shapes a new, youthful Mercedes face.

A number of details indicate that the design of the CLA represents a further development of the modern classic Mercedes-Benz CLS. Three prominent lines give structure to the vehicle when viewed from the side – the front structural edge above the fenders flows toward the rear in a characteristic dropping line. Another, more sinewy line spans the shoulder muscle above the rear axle, while the third feature line extends in a sweeping curve from the front wheel toward the rear. Together, these lines lend depth and dynamism to the side profile.

The design of the rear end emphasizes the width of the CLA, expressing power and athleticism with the interaction of convex and concave surfaces and edges. The gently sloping roof contour and pronounced curve of the rear window retain the CLA’s coupe-style character. The athletic look of the rear end comes from the drawn-in C-pillars paired with the shoulder muscle above the rear wheel arches. The tail lights are framed by the muscular shoulder lines extending into the back while the horizontal light layout emphasizes the car’s powerful and visually striking breadth.

A large panorama sunroof is available as a standalone option. It consists of a fixed polycarbonate cover at the front, a glass moving panel and side trim elements to match the glass look. The visual effect is of a glass surface that extends all the way from the front to the rear windshield.

Premium look-and-feel – the interior

The exterior’s progressive, sporty appearance also carries through to the vehicle interior. Anthracite surface finish is available as the standard trim. Additional trim options include burl walnut wood, black ash wood and aluminum.

The instrument panel incorporates five air vents. The outer rings of the vents are done in a high-quality galvanized finish, while a galvanized insert controls the direction of airflow. The free-standing display is set in black piano-lacquer trim and edged with a flush-fitting silver frame.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

(Wind) resistance is futile – a new record Cd figure

With a Cd figure of 0.23, the CLA sets a new benchmark among not only Mercedes models, but also all series-production vehicles. The frontal surface area, Cd x A – which is crucial to aerodynamic resistance – also leads the field at 5.49 sq. ft.

The good air flow characteristics, which have a major impact on fuel consumption under everyday driving conditions, are the result of extensive aerodynamic optimization. These include a low A-pillar shoulder with adapted A-pillar geometry, aerodynamically optimized exterior mirrors, low-drag wheel trims and serrated wheel spoilers on the front and rear wheel arches.

Extensive underbody cladding, additional cladding at the center of the rear axle, an aerodynamically optimized muffler and a diffuser improve the flow of air beneath the underbody.

Smart safety – advanced assistance systems

An extensive array of standard and optional driver assistance systems in the CLA is available to the driver. Standard features include ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection and radar-based COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST with adaptive Brake Assist, which offers collision protection in the CLA from speeds of just 4 mph.

The optional Driver Assistance package also offers DISTRONIC, as well as familiar safety systems including Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist. PARKTRONIC with Advance Parking Assist enables autonomous parking in parallel and perpendicular parking spaces and is available as a standalone option.

Precision handling – the chassis and suspension

The CLA’s running gear features McPherson strut suspension at the front and independent multilink suspension at the rear. Three control arms and one trailing arm at each of the rear wheels enable longitudinal and transverse forces to be handled separately. Specific to the CLA is the flexible decoupling of the rear axle sub-frame for improved ride characteristics. The wheel mounts and spring guides are made from aluminum in order to reduce unsprung masses. Standard equipment includes the Mercedes-Benz Sport Suspension for sporty yet comfortable handling.

The CLA also comes as standard with electromechanical power steering. Compared with conventional systems, this power steering system offers improved driver feedback and makes an important contribution to overall efficiency, as the power steering function draws energy only under active steering. It also facilitates various steering assistance functions activated by the ESP® control unit. These include counter-steering in the event of oversteer, corrective steering when braking on road surfaces with differing levels of grip (split-friction braking), minimization of torque steer and compensation for crosswinds and road gradients.

Both the front wheel drive and 4MATIC variants of the CLA250 are delivered on 17-inch, 5-spoke, two-tone wheels clad in all-season, run-flat tires. The Sport Package offers 18-inch AMG twin 5-spoke wheels and adds Sport body styling plus perforated front discs.

High levels of traction and outstanding agility – 4MATIC all-wheel drive

The Mercedes-Benz CLA250 is also available with a new generation of the 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system featuring fully variable torque distribution. Like the other 4MATIC variants, this completely new development boasts high levels of traction and outstanding agility combined with excellent safety and energy efficiency.

The components of the new 4MATIC include the power take-off to the rear axle, which is integrated into the 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission, and the rear-axle gear set with an integrated electro-hydraulic, multi-disc clutch. This set-up enables fully variable distribution of drive between the front and rear axles. Additional benefits of this design are a lower system weight than that of competitor systems, as well as a high degree of efficiency.

All set for the future – a powerful and efficient drive

The CLA250 and CLA250 4MATIC both feature Mercedes-Benz’s 2.0-liter four- cylinder gasoline engine with 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It comes with the ECO stop/start function as standard for added gas mileage and is mated to the 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission for an outstanding combination of sporty performance and comfort.

“Always on” – multimedia systems

The latest generation of multimedia systems in the CLA provides a wide array of functions, apps and graphics.

Like all models in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, the CLA comes with the brand’s acclaimed connectivity service mbrace2, providing users with an extensive range of online and concierge services and apps all linking seamlessly to smartphones for use inside and outside the car. By using cloud technology, mbrace2 is always up to date and offers users wide-ranging and flexible access to content.

The CLA250 and CLA250 4MATIC both include the 5.8-inch display and Bluetooth as standard equipment. The central controller provides an all-access pass to an abundance of advanced technology. This can be upgraded to the 7- inch display with the Multimedia package featuring the COMAND system with hard-drive navigation, voice control, an SD card slot, an in-dash 6-disc CD/DVD changer, a 10GB music register, a rearview camera and SiriusXM Traffic & Weather.

Premium comfort – additional equipment options

As well as the Multimedia package and Driver Assistance package, the CLA250 and CLA250 4MATIC are also available with the Premium package for an even higher level of comfort and convenience. Its features include an iPod/MP3 media interface, SiriusXM satellite radio, the harman/kardon LOGIC 7 surround sound system, heated front seats, auto dimming mirrors, integrated garage door opener, dual-zone climate control and a compass.

Taiwan Debut of the Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe

Scheduled to be in series production next year, it is the third model for the New Generation Compact Car series

Mercedes-Benz Taiwan announced today that Taipei will be Asia’s first city to set off the artistic campaign by Mercedes-Benz with AVANT/GARDE DIARIES.  It is part of a series of festivities that premiered in Berlin earlier last year, and continued on to Copenhagen, Los Angeles, and London. Mercedes-Benz Taiwan has invited superstar A-MIT, the “Pride of Taiwan” to be the curator for an exhibition with 8 newly rising artists from Taiwan on the theme of “Voice” as the inspiration. The exhibition will be held at Huashan 1914 Creative Park from November 9-11. A gala event will be held on November 8. As part of the event, the latest concept car by Mercedes-Benz – Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe will make its debut appearance to personify the spirit of avant-garde art.

In 1886, Carl Benz boldly conceived a revolutionary idea and dared to turn it into reality – the world’s very first automobile was the fruition of his ingenuity. His invention marked the end of man’s dependence on animals for movement and transportation. From that point on, innovation, avant-garde attitude and boldness became parts of the Mercedes-Benz DNA. After more than 120 years, as the inventor of automobile, Mercedes-Benz continues to lead the world of cars and writes the vocabulary of innovative automobile for every generation.

The Premiere of Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe – a Unique Interpretation of Avant-Garde Art

To further add to the excitement of AVANT/GARDE DIARIES TAIPEI, the organizer has shipped in Concept Style Coupe to Taipei especially for the exhibition alongside one of the artworks. A piece of bold experimental art along with the innovative concept car interprets the avant-garde approach and imaginative concept of “moving life”. The Concept Style Coupe is an automobile that combines the streamline design of a two-door sports car with the practicality of a four-door sedan. It is equipped with the M270 engine used in the A-Class. Powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 211 horse power.

Scheduled to series production next year, it is the third model for the New Generation Compact Car series. The audience will have the chance to preview its unique features in person.

AVANT/GARDE DIARIES TAIPEI – A-MIT Dialogue with the World

In 2009, performing artist A-MIT appeared. Carrying her heritage as a relative of the ethnic natives of Taiwan named Puyuma, she overtook the world with her resounding, wild voice. The next year, she swept up six Golden Melody Awards. Her bold, unique personality and original musical style make her a perfect example of the avant-garde spirit – a spirit in perfect tune with the essence of Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz has invited A-MIT as the curator for the AVANT/GARDE DIARIES TAIPEI. A-MIT, a change seeker, will work with Isaac Chen as the Creative Director and 8 young Taiwanese artists to define sounds. In this project, she will show to the world and Asia her new self stemming from the wild dynamic in her Puyuman blood. A-MIT blends together a mixture of unlikely elements to demonstrate her interpretation and concepts of sounds.

“Personally I am really looking forward to this exhibition. The event offers a platform for me to perform with my voice and for more Taiwan’s emerging artists to present their talents to the world, to an international stage like the AVANT/GARDE DIARIES. By doing so, the role ‘A-MIT’ becomes more enriched with depth and layers,” said A-MIT.

The innovative ideas, diversification of different performance styles and her Puyuma-origin makes A-MIT the most authentic voice and power that truly represent the genuine character of Taiwan. AVANT/GARDE DIARIES TAIPEI works with Taiwanese talents, to give pop music a makeover, transforming sounds to a concrete experience that moves people. Through this exhibition, the invisible energy will reach beyond space and time, and manifest itself in the tide of arts to dialogue with Asia and the world from the perspective of Taiwan’s emerging contemporary artists.

The works for the exhibition are predominantly installation artworks. Some attempt to visualize the forms of the sound, while others offer new ways to experience the sound. Dynamic device, digital control, smoke, lighting, lasers and other form or formless materials have been used to transform the popular ballads by A-MIT, such as “Weight of Soul”, “Are You Looking At Me?” and “Fallen” into installation artworks, injecting a unique experience to A-MIT’s musical consciousness while dialoging with the viewers.

About the Curator and participating Artists

A-MIT, the curator of the AVANT/GARDE DIARIES TAIPEIworks with Isaac Chen as the Artistic Director along with 8 of Taiwan’s emerging artists for the event.

Curator: A-MIT

Born in 1972. Ethnically Puyuma, her high pitch, wild voice has fascinated the world. She appeared in 2009 as A-MIT.

Artistic Director: Isaac Chen

Born in Taiwan in 1973. He is executive director of concerts and large ceremonies, lyric writer, song producer, talent manager, film director.

Artist: Chang-Wei Chiu

Born in Taiwan in 1981, his creative works are focused on digital vision and dynamic devices. In his earlier career, most of his works were creations in computer animation and special effects. Recently, he has moved to create installation artworks with physical presence that invokes the cognitive awareness and illusional special effects. Through his works, he hopes to present a human-like organic form that can infiltrate and hide in the reality.

Artist: Wei-Hsiang Wen

Born in Taiwan in 1983, he specializes in visual art and installation artworks of new media. His artworks are focused on the relationship between image, time and space by observing the vibration of changes in the artworks through time and space in order to revisit the daily experiences with the micro-perspectives.

Artist: Chih-Wei Chuang

Born in Taiwan in 1986, his works are mainly installation artworks of light and space which explore the awareness of changes in life and the interaction of human, objects and the environment. In recent years, he has been exploring the possibility of interaction between new media arts and architecture by using high-tech materials as the medium to extend the linkage to the senses and to find the presence that never ceases.

Artist: Ting-Hao Yeh

Born in Taiwan in 1981, he specializes in the installation artwork of sound, vision, and the human-machine interaction. He started with visual art creation, studied computer programming, and constructed the model of coexisting linkage between vision and hearing. Next, he consolidated the technologies in multimedia to record the frequencies of interaction and awareness to find a digital presence for the future.

Artist: Zih Jing Wei

Born in Taiwan in 1983, she specializes in visual art and human-machine interaction. Ink is often used in her works as a way to describe nuances of emotions and imagination. After 2008, her works shifted to development of a series of chemically interactive devices that use chemical light-sensitive coloring agents to create dynamic 3-dimensional images.

Artist: Chin-Chung Din

Born in Taiwan in 1983, Din Chin-Chung specializes in dynamic devices. His works are focused on structures in space, relationship between movement and interaction, such as the diminishing energy in time and space that only leaves traces of marks, and the “repetition” of media.

Artist: Chun-Kun Wang

Born in Taiwan in 1982, his works are mainly in sound artwork and dynamic devices that seek to express sound with textures in a series of landscapes in sound. His installation artworks with automatic movement and sound have a sense of purity and aesthetic uniqueness.

Artist: Chia-Chi Yeh

Born in Taiwan, he specializes in dynamic devices. With background in architecture, his designs are structure-oriented that find linkage between human behavior and the environment and describe how mechanical ecology has slowly changed human awareness toward architecture and structures.

Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupé Official World Premiere

The Concept Style Coupé is expressive and powerful, it's the model against which all executive sporty vehicles will be measured

One of the most anticipated premieres at this year’s Auto China was the Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupé, considered a rebel when it comes to it’s nonconformist styling.  Technical highlights include its headlamp design featuring innovative indicators, the new four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 155 kW (211 hp) and the all-wheel drive system 4MATIC. The the Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupé measures in at length/width/height: 4637/1891/1398.

“The Concept Style Coupé is expressive and powerful in its design”, said Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. “We are staking our claim very clearly here. This is the model against which sporty vehicles in the executive segment will have to measure themselves in future.”

Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz emphasized that “The almost production-standard Concept Style Coupé sets a new benchmark for avantgarde design in the executive segment”, “Its breathtaking proportions, sinewy fluid surfaces and sculptural lines are the physical expression of our dynamic design idiom.”

Provocative and masculine: the exterior

Its breathtakingly sporty proportions and powerfully dynamic design idiom, featuring the interplay between concave and convex surfaces that is so typical for Mercedes, give this four-door coupé its unmistakable look.

Among its most striking features are the way the bonnet with its powerdomes is set right into the front end assembly, as well as its diamond-look grille, which follows through on design cues set by the Concept A-CLASS. The paint finish of the concept vehicle is in Alubeam – a colour that helps to emphasise the sculptural quality of its lines.

The innovative headlamps of the Concept Style Coupé are reminiscent of the ever wary, almost intimidating eyes of a predatory animal. In standby mode they shine red. Another special feature are the indicators: individual points of light light up in succession, rather like a piano keyboard.

Three prominent lines give structure to the vehicle when viewed from the side: the front structural edge over the wings flows towards the rear end in a characteristic dropping line. Another, more sinewy line spans the shoulder muscle above the rear axle, while the third line extends upward in a sweeping curve from the front wheel towards the rear. Together, these lines lend more depth and dynamism to the side profile. The ripple design of the prominent exterior mirrors takes advantage of the design freedoms enjoyed by a concept car.

The same is true of the 21-inch wheels, with their very sporty turbine design. Perforated pins on the spokes pick up once again on the diamond-theme of the radiator grille. The Concept Style Coupé features frameless side windows.

A large panoramic roof creates a light and airy interior. A metal rib, the shape of which evokes a roll-over bar, separates the roof from the rear windscreen, which in turn flows down to merge smoothly into the tail end. The avantgarde lines of the Coupé are further emphasised by the way the tail lights, with their metallic-red colouring, taper to a sharp point both to the front and toward the rear centre. An integrated dual-flow exhaust system underlines the car’s sporty credentials and gives added width to the tail end. A narrow rear diffuser picks up again on the dotted pattern of the diamond grille.

High-grade sportiness: the interior

The interior opens up to reveal taut, expressively sculptured surfaces. The structure of the instrument panel is reminiscent of an outstretched wing, with a large carbon-fibre trim panel that spans its full width, giving it the elegance and distinctive appeal of a coupé. Standing proud from the instrument cluster are the two tubes, similarly in carbon fibre and individually glazed. When the indicator is activated, a ring lights up in the tubes.

Flowing back in a long, continuous wave from the instrument panel is the centre console. Embedded in this is an intricately designed fan module for the two rear seats, which also incorporates a stowage compartment.

The world of fashion provided the inspiration for the colour mix of light grey and anthracite. A fresh, sporty touch is added by neon green piping and topstitching, which appear on the instrument panel, steering wheel, seat and door centre panels, amongst other places.

Fine materials combine with high-grade workmanship to set a new benchmark for quality. There has been no stinting on the use of leather, either: the instrument panel is upholstered in white nubuck leather, providing an interesting contrast with the anthracite-coloured Alcantara® used on the upper section of the instrument panel. Suede is used on the sports steering wheel to ensure better grip. All chrome trim elements and control panels now for the first time feature a black anodised finish, as seen on top-of-the-range limited Sports Edition chronograph watches. The surfaces around the HMI control panel have the glossy shimmer of black anodised aluminium.

The four integral seats with integrated head restraints are already familiar from the Sports version of the new A-Class. An electroplated insert in the upper part of the seat adds to the impression of lightness and is illuminated.

The design of the air vents in the instrument panel evokes an aircraft jet engine. As in the Concept A-CLASS they are backlit and change colour according to the temperature set by the occupants for the climate control system. When cool, fresh air is being brought into the car, they are blue, but they light up red when the airflow is warm. At a mid-range temperature setting the vents are illuminated in fluorescent yellow, and thus match the colour of the piping perfectly.

“Always on”, even in the car: the multimedia system

With COMAND Online and the various Mercedes-Benz apps developed specifically to be used and controlled while on the move, as well as with the ability to browse the internet when the vehicle is stationary, the occupants of the Concept Style Coupé are “always on” and able to maintain their digital lifestyle at all times.

Mercedes-Benz is firmly convinced that the future lies with cloud computing. The software for the COMAND Online applications is not stored in the vehicle, but runs off the Daimler Vehicle Backend. The advantage is that the system can be updated with new applications “over-the-air” (OTA) through a mobile phone connection, without needing to take the car into the workshop. The software is thus always up to date, irrespective of the development cycles of either the vehicles or the consumer electronic devices.

Sportiness in tune with the times: the engine

Sporty driving dynamics coupled with exemplary efficiency are the hallmarks of the engine of the Concept Style Coupé. Powerful wheel-hub drive is provided by the 2.0-litre version of the new petrol engine generation with 155 kW (211 hp), combined here with the efficient 4MATIC all-wheel drive system and the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission.

Among the highlights of the four-cylinder engine are its direct-injection system with exhaust gas turbocharging, an enhanced combustion system and extended stratification ranges for lean-burn operation using fast-acting injectors for the multiple fuel injections, and multi-spark ignition according to need.

Mercedes Concept Style Coupe Makes World Debut

The almost production-standard Mercedes Concept Style Coupé sets a benchmark for avantgarde design in the executive segment

Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled photos of their long-awaited compact sedan concept.  Mercedes has tagged it the Concept Style Coupe or as it will become known, the CSC.  The showcar will make its public debut at Auto China in Beijing beginning April 23. Technical highlights include its striking headlamp design featuring innovative indicators, the new four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 208 hp (155 kW) and the all-wheel drive system 4MATIC.

The ripple design of the prominent exterior mirrors takes advantage of the design freedoms enjoyed by a concept car. This can also be said for the 20-inch wheels, with sporty turbine design. Perforated pins on the spokes pick up once again on the diamond-theme of the radiator grille. Another special feature seen on the Concept Style Coupé are the frameless side windows and no B-pillar.

Power is provided by the 2.0-liter version of the new gas engine generation with 208 hp (155 kW), combined here with the efficient 4MATIC all-wheel drive system and the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission.  Among the highlights of the four-cylinder engine are its direct-injection system with exhaust gas turbocharging, an enhanced combustion system and extended stratification ranges for lean-burn operation using fast-acting injectors for the multiple fuel injections, and multi-spark ignition according to need.

Click to skip straight to the photo gallery.

Press Release

The heartbeat of a new generation grows stronger all the time: with its Concept Style Coupé, appearing at this year’s Auto China (April 23 to May 2), Mercedes-Benz will be making a convincing statement in favor of avantgarde design among sporty executive coupés.

The four-door coupé is a rebel when it comes to style: nonconformist, provocative and masculine. Technical highlights include its striking headlamp design featuring innovative indicators, the new four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 208 hp (155 kW) and the all-wheel drive system 4MATIC.

“The Concept Style Coupé is expressive and powerful in its design”, said Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. “We are staking our claim very clearly here. This is the model against which sporty vehicles in the executive segment will have to measure themselves in future.”

“The almost production-standard Concept Style Coupé sets a new benchmark for avantgarde design in the executive segment”, emphasized Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz. “Its breathtaking proportions, sinewy fluid surfaces and sculptural lines are the physical expression of our dynamic design idiom.”

Following a brief appearance at Mercedes-Benz’ second Avant/Garde Diaries festival curated by Mike D from the Beastie Boys, the Transmission LA: The Audio Visual Club event in Los Angeles (April 19 to May 10), the Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupé (length/width/height: 4637/1891/1398) will be celebrating its official world premiere at Auto China in Beijing.

Provocative and masculine: the exterior

Its breathtakingly sporty proportions and powerfully dynamic design idiom, featuring the interplay between concave and convex surfaces that is so typical for Mercedes, give this four-door coupé its unmistakable look.

Among its most striking features is the way the hood, with its powerdomes, is set right into the front end assembly, as well as its diamond-look grille, which follows through on design cues set by the Concept A-CLASS. The paint finish of the concept vehicle is in Alubeam – a color that helps to emphasize the sculptural quality of its lines.

The innovative headlamps of the Concept Style Coupé are reminiscent of the intimidating eyes of a predatory animal. In standby mode they shine red. Another special feature are the indicators: individual points of light light up in succession, similar to a piano keyboard.

Three prominent lines give structure to the vehicle when viewed from the side: the front structural edge over the wings flows towards the rear end in a characteristic dropping line. Another, more sinewy line spans the shoulder muscle above the rear axle, while the third line extends upward in a sweeping curve from the front wheel towards the rear. Together, these lines lend more depth and dynamism to the side profile. The ripple design of the prominent exterior mirrors takes advantage of the design freedoms enjoyed by a concept car.

The same is true of the 20-inch wheels, with their very sporty turbine design. Perforated pins on the spokes pick up once again on the diamond-theme of the radiator grille. The Concept Style Coupé features frameless side windows and has no B-pillar.

A large panoramic roof creates a light and airy interior. A metal rib, the shape of which evokes a roll-over bar, separates the roof from the rear windscreen, which in turn flows down to merge smoothly into the tail end. The avantgarde lines of the Coupé are further emphasised by the way the tail lights, with their metallic-red colouring, taper to a sharp point both to the front and toward the rear centre. An integrated dual-flow exhaust system underlines the car’s sporty credentials and gives added width to the tail end. A narrow rear diffuser picks up again on the dotted pattern of the diamond grille.

High-grade sportiness: the interior

The interior opens up to reveal taut, expressively sculptured surfaces. The structure of the instrument panel is reminiscent of an outstretched wing, with a large carbon-fiber trim panel that spans its full width, giving it the elegance and distinctive appeal of a coupé. Standing proud from the instrument cluster are the two tubes, similarly in carbon fiber and individually glazed. When the indicator is activated, a ring lights up in the tubes.

Flowing back in a long, continuous wave from the instrument panel is the center console. Embedded in this is an intricately designed fan module for the two rear seats, which also incorporates a stowage compartment.

The world of fashion provided the inspiration for the color mix of light grey and anthracite. A fresh, sporty touch is added by neon green piping and topstitching, which appear on the instrument panel, steering wheel, seat and door centre panels, amongst other places.

Fine materials combine with high-grade workmanship to set a new benchmark for quality. The instrument panel is upholstered in white nubuck leather, providing an interesting contrast with the anthracite-colored Alcantara used on the upper section of the instrument panel. Suede is used on the sports steering wheel to ensure better grip. All chrome trim elements and control panels now for the first time feature a black anodised finish, as seen on top-of-the-range limited Sports Edition chronograph watches. The surfaces around the HMI control panel have the glossy shimmer of black anodised aluminum.

The four integral seats with integrated head restraints are already familiar from the Sports version of the new A-Class. An electroplated insert in the upper part of the seat adds to the impression of lightness and is illuminated.

The design of the air vents in the instrument panel evokes an aircraft jet engine. As in the Concept A-CLASS they are backlit and change colour according to the temperature set by the occupants for the climate control system. When cool, fresh air is being brought into the car, they are blue, but they light up red when the airflow is warm. At a mid-range temperature setting the vents are illuminated in fluorescent yellow, and thus match the color of the piping perfectly.

“Always on”, even in the car: the multimedia system

With COMAND Online and the various Mercedes-Benz apps developed specifically to be used and controlled while on the move, as well as with the ability to browse the internet when the vehicle is stationary, the occupants of the Concept Style Coupé are “always on” and able to maintain their digital lifestyle at all times.

Mercedes-Benz is firmly convinced that the future lies with cloud computing. The software for the COMAND Online applications is not stored in the vehicle, but runs off the Daimler Vehicle Backend. The advantage is that the system can be updated with new applications “over-the-air” (OTA) through a mobile phone connection, without needing to take the car into the workshop. The software is thus always up to date, irrespective of the development cycles of either the vehicles or the consumer electronic devices.

Sportiness in tune with the times: the engine

Sporty driving dynamics coupled with exemplary efficiency are the hallmarks of the engine of the Concept Style Coupé. Powerful wheel-hub drive is provided by the 2.0-liter version of the new gas engine generation with 208 hp (155 kW), combined here with the efficient 4MATIC all-wheel drive system and the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission.

Among the highlights of the four-cylinder engine are its direct-injection system with exhaust gas turbocharging, an enhanced combustion system and extended stratification ranges for lean-burn operation using fast-acting injectors for the multiple fuel injections, and multi-spark ignition according to need.