Photo: autoevolution
Volkswagen never makes a concept just to show it can. When they show a study, the only question people have is "when?". Heck, the Germans even put the XL1 into limited production just to show that they can make a carbon fiber tub with two cylinders and tech that would shame the Space Shuttle. That's why, to our eyes, the New Midsize Coupe Concept on display in Beijing right now is nothing more than a thinly disguised production car, a baby version of the Passat CC which will hit the streets in a few years.
The auto group's modular toolkit permits the construction of such a four-door coupe pretty easily, with MQB architecture and EA888 engines being easily combined. But there's another company that sells a compact four-door coupe based on modular architecture and offered with premium features. Yes, we're going to imagine the NMC is a production car and compare it to the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
Esthetically, the two are as different as a Golf GTI and an A 250 with the AMG pack. Mercedes uses flowing lines and has a dominant upper grille, VW uses understatement and focuses on practicality. It's plain to see which is the prettiest car here, yet there definitely is some appeal to the NMC that will appeal to people. The two are almost like two totally different cars fighting for the same segment.
Mercedes' four-door coupe was designed based on the A-Class hatch's MFA platform in order to target the American market and any four-door coupe the size of a Jetta would be the same. The cheapest Mercedes you can currently buy in the States, the CLA-Class has a number of notable downsides, typical of the compact class, but exaggerated by its sloping roof. Some say it looks like an A-class with a chopped roof and a boot grafted at the end, others that rear visibility and headroom in the back are compromised. But it's undeniably a sexy car in a way no Vdub can even come close to, especially with the AMG sports package.
Believe it or not, Volkswagen is even providing technical specs for their concept study, so we can compare the NMC and the CLA in terms of dimensions and performance. The Volkswagen model is powered by a 2-liter TSI turbo engine with 220 PS and 350 Nm of torque, just like on the Golf 7 GTI. Coupled to a six-speed DSG gearbox, it takes the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 6.5 seconds. Its direct competitor would have to be the CLA 250, which is also equipped with a 2-liter turbo, making the same 350 Nm of torque, but slightly less power: 211 PS. Without all-wheel drive, but fitted with a six-clutch 7-speed auto, the Merc' reaches 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.
While the engines are almost the same, Volkswagen's experience with the DSG gearbox could be a telling factor in determining the better drivetrain package, especially since the Stuttgart twin-clutch has been described as slow to shift.
Of course, the Mercedes vs Volkswagen battle would be fought on all fronts, from the smallest turbo petrol to hybrids and 2-liter diesels. The 184 PS 2.0 TDI engine would take on Mercedes 's 220 CDI model with its 170 PS. And while the CLA already has a 4Matic all-wheel drive model, the MQB platform also fits well with a new generation of Haldex 4Motion.
Sitting in the same class, it's not surprising that the NMC and CLA are basically the same size. The VW concept is a sporty four-door coupe that measures 4,597mm long, 1,838mm wide and 1,422mm tall. Meanwhile, the CLA measures 4,630 mm long, 1,777 mm wide and 1,432mm tall. The only real difference between the two is 6 mm of extra width for the former, which might be down to it being a concept.
To conclude, the NMC would be a little cheaper, a bit more practical and discrete. The CLA is sexier, has a more desirable badge and already commands the loyalty of fans across the world. Without clear confirmation of an R version, however, the CLA 45 AMG will draw all the attention away from any would-be competitor wearing a humbler VW badge.
Esthetically, the two are as different as a Golf GTI and an A 250 with the AMG pack. Mercedes uses flowing lines and has a dominant upper grille, VW uses understatement and focuses on practicality. It's plain to see which is the prettiest car here, yet there definitely is some appeal to the NMC that will appeal to people. The two are almost like two totally different cars fighting for the same segment.
Believe it or not, Volkswagen is even providing technical specs for their concept study, so we can compare the NMC and the CLA in terms of dimensions and performance. The Volkswagen model is powered by a 2-liter TSI turbo engine with 220 PS and 350 Nm of torque, just like on the Golf 7 GTI. Coupled to a six-speed DSG gearbox, it takes the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 6.5 seconds. Its direct competitor would have to be the CLA 250, which is also equipped with a 2-liter turbo, making the same 350 Nm of torque, but slightly less power: 211 PS. Without all-wheel drive, but fitted with a six-clutch 7-speed auto, the Merc' reaches 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.
Of course, the Mercedes vs Volkswagen battle would be fought on all fronts, from the smallest turbo petrol to hybrids and 2-liter diesels. The 184 PS 2.0 TDI engine would take on Mercedes 's 220 CDI model with its 170 PS. And while the CLA already has a 4Matic all-wheel drive model, the MQB platform also fits well with a new generation of Haldex 4Motion.
Sitting in the same class, it's not surprising that the NMC and CLA are basically the same size. The VW concept is a sporty four-door coupe that measures 4,597mm long, 1,838mm wide and 1,422mm tall. Meanwhile, the CLA measures 4,630 mm long, 1,777 mm wide and 1,432mm tall. The only real difference between the two is 6 mm of extra width for the former, which might be down to it being a concept.
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