TÜV Grants Environmental Certificate to CLA180 BlueEfficiency

Germany’s TÜV Süd has given the Mercedes-BenzMercedes-BenzGermany, 1924 > present197 models
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CLA180 BlueEfficiencyMercedes-Benz CLA 180 Blu...Germany, 2013 > present5 photos
an Environmental Certificate that sets benchmarks in sustainable production, efficient driving and ability to be recycled at the end of vehicle life. Over its entire life, a CLA180 BlueEfficiency will produce 30 metric tons of CO2, and at the end of life 95% of the car’s weight can be recycled.

The recyclable components in the CLAMercedes-Benz CLA-Class Gen.1Germany, 2013 > present63 versions
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include 42 parts weighing 30.8kg, and 19kg of parts are made from natural materials. For example, the engine cover is made from 70% vegetable materials sourced from castor-oil plants.

The CLA180 BlueEfficiency also sets a new level for coefficient of drag among Mercedes models. The standard CLA-Class car has a Cd of 0.23, and the BlueEfficiency improves that to 0.22 thanks to more aerodynamic body parts at the front. It has an optimized rear diffuser, optimized underbody panels including paneling around the rear axle, radiator shutters and spoilers on the front and rear wheel arches to clean up the airflow. The changes improve the car’s frontal area from 0.51 square meters to 0.49 square meters.

All of the CLA’s get a bent A-pillar that directs air over the rear of the car. The mirror housings are also especially slippery in the air.

The CLA180 uses a friction-optimized 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with start/stop and either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual clutch transmission. It comes standard with low rolling resistance tires.

The CLA180 BlueEfficiency goes on sale in September.