2019 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4MATIC Shooting Brake Photos, engines & full specs

Mercedes-AMG made a more spacious version of the CLA 35, but just like its non-AMG sibling, the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake, it featured an overall shape that resembled a shooting brake. Moreover, the automaker named it that way even though the car sported four doors and a tailgate.

After customers accepted the fact that a car with four doors may be called a coupe, they had to accept this unusual shape to be called a shooting brake. In a way, it was unfair to call this version of the Mercedes-AMG CLA a station wagon since the CLA was already considered a four-door coupe, so it just came naturally. In addition, thanks to the AMG input, the car became a family hauler/fast wagon. And it didn't have any rivals on the market since neither premium European automakers produced such a vehicle.

At the front, the car featured an AMG-specific grille with a double horizontal bar that supported the three-pointed star badge of the automaker. It was flanked on the sides by swept-back headlights adorned by LED daytime running lights at their upper side. On the lower bumper, Mercedes-AMG installed the classic A-shaped lower grille flanked by generous side scoops. The hood sported two creases, giving the impression of a vehicle with a longitudinally-mounted engine. In fact, there was a transversely mounted one. However, the most significant difference when compared to the CLA 35 or the A 35 was the greenhouse. It featured an extended roof sloped down behind the C-pillars and ended with a spoiler above the raked-forward tailgate. The taillights were extended from the quarter panels to the tailgate, creating the image of a sporty vehicle. To top it all off, the automaker installed a pair of round exhausts on each side of the car. Those were not fake tips but real ones.

Inside, the automaker used the same high-bolstered seats as in the CLA 35. These provided excellent side support during high-speed cornering. On the dashboard, the AMG-specific instrument cluster featured a digital display extended over the dashboard by a touchscreen for the infotainment system. Both screens were covered by the same piece of glass, creating the image of a continuous display. Still, it was not the case. Underneath them, the automaker used the same round vents as the rest of the CLA range. Still, the steering wheel with its three double spokes was designed and installed by the AMG, not Mercedes-Benz. On the rear bench seat, there was hardly room enough for three passengers, but two could share it for long trips. Finally, the trunk offered 505 liters (16.9 cu-ft) of space, which was more than in any other CLA.

The hand-built two-liter gasoline engine sent its oomph via an eight-speed automatic Speedhift gearbox developed, engineered, and tuned by the AMG. Power went in all corners via an electronically-controlled transmission system that sent all the torque to the wheel with the best traction.