SPIED: Should BMW's 1-Series Be Afraid Of Mercedes' "Baby CLS?"

Although pictures and images of the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLC have been around since fall, another new set have hit the web. Originally, I thought this vehicle would be on part or more expensive than a C-Class. Finally, something would make the entry-level premium sedan category exciting.

I was wrong.

It appears from Auto Motor Und Sport that this will actually be based on the A-Class and likely priced beneath the C-Class. The only reason I can derive this is because according to the latest reports, the motor is estimated to produce anywhere from 130 to 160 horsepower.

If you're disappointed about this though, don't fret. That's because AMG -- as always -- will be coming to the rescue with a 300 pony version. It's not like Mercedes has much of a choice though as the Audi RS3 and BMW 1M are pushing well over the 300 mark.

Just when I thought Mercedes was going to do something drastic to try and take down the 2012 BMW 3-Series...


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MorePower - 2/3/2012 10:26:51 PM

+1 Boost

The baby MB's usually draw a female crowd, but if the baby CLS looks nice, they will steal 1-Series sales because I think they are going after the same market, exception being the 1-M of course.

JUGNU - 2/4/2012 9:01:41 AM

+3 Boost

This will be FWD, 1 series is RWD. So why afraid?

This is only going to steal sales from C class or other German FWD cars like Jetta, Passat, upcoming A3 sedan..etc

Willis - 2/4/2012 11:15:52 AM

+3 Boost

FWD is not a drawback at all.

There are many FWD performance cars that can keep up and even beat a RWD car on the track. I seem to recall a German comparison test where the FWD Peugeot RCZ and VW Scirocco totally destroyed a RWD BMW 1er coupe (it wasn't a 135i) on a dry track in handling (and even performance). All cars were driven by professional drivers.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 2/4/2012 12:09:33 PM

0 Boost

Shh....

Don't tell that to the americans.

They worship at the alter of RWD and don't take kindly to non-believers trying to point out facts to them.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 2/4/2012 1:37:21 PM

0 Boost

JUGNU

I boosted you in error.

And i know you are not american.

Willis - 2/5/2012 7:14:42 AM

+2 Boost

@ I95SPEEDINGTICKETS

I think most "car enthusiasts" here don't really know what they're talking about in regards to all this FWD hate.

One thing that really bothers me is all the talk about how "FWD isn't luxury". FWD has been available in many luxury cars throughout time including some Audis of the 1930s, the Citroen Traction Avant of the '30s, Citroen DS, Citroen SM and the Citroen CX were all European luxury cars that were FWD. In the United States we had FWD luxury cars from Cord and the '66 Oldsmobile Toronado (the late '60s Cadillac Eldorado followed shortly afterwards).

I see nothing wrong with a FWD luxury car at all. :-)