REALLY? Volkswagen Says New Mid-Sized Coupe Will Challenge Mercedes CLA

The Volkswagen NMC -- New Mid-sized Coupe -- concept makes official the carmaker's plans for a style-led sedan to challenge the Mercedes-Benz CLA.

Unveiled at the Beijing auto show, the new four-door car closely previews a future Jetta-based model that will slot into the Volkswagen lineup beneath the existing Passat CC, most likely in 2016.

Volkswagen design boss Klaus Bischoff describes the NMC as an “avant-garde protagonist for a new compact sedan class.”

The car continues the current Volkswagen design lineage, with crisp features and lines, heavily horizontal detailing, and taut surfacing -- all aimed at providing it with a technical-inspired appearance.

Sciros - 4/22/2014 1:46:23 PM

+5 Boost

Might challenge a bare-bones Audi A3. Might. Probably won't. Probably will only challenge the VW Jetta, heh. VW must be smoking some very pure stuff these days.

TheSteve - 4/22/2014 2:11:49 PM

-1 Boost

Everyone and their uncle has got a "3-Series Killer" or "Mercedes Challenger." Let me correct that: They ALLEGE to have one.

Car4Life - 4/22/2014 2:52:33 PM

-1 Boost

Mercedes has been ruffling executive feathers in Auto manufacturers boardrooms for over 100 years...nothing new

cidflekken - 4/22/2014 4:18:54 PM

+2 Boost

Coupe? Let's not dilute that word any further, please.

PUGPROUD - 4/22/2014 4:39:07 PM

+3 Boost

VW simply does not get it. Without taking some risks on styling VW will always be left with bargain hunters as customers and mostly only after discounting the price in USA. VW has to make a styling statement that causes buyers to "have to have it." Remember the way the Acura Legend
Coupe was a "have to have it" car that raised up that mark until it too lost its mojo and dare to be different but attractive styling.

ParadoX - 4/22/2014 5:41:31 PM

+3 Boost

Whatever your thoughts are on the CLA, I think we can all agree that it is a bold design. VW cannot compete with that if they are offering something boring.

I don't know why they would add another car to this class anyways, they are just going to cannibalize their own A3 sales.

MorePower - 4/22/2014 4:55:46 PM

-1 Boost

Except for the CLA 45 AMG, the CC matches up pretty well against the CLA.

jeffgall - 4/22/2014 6:57:16 PM

+1 Boost

Interior will probably be of better quality over the CLA

skytop - 4/22/2014 7:15:26 PM

-1 Boost

Nice car.

MattDarringer - 4/22/2014 9:21:22 PM

0 Boost

OK VW is done in the USA with idiocy like that. That stance is like pouring acid on staving babies to the dealer network. AUDI IS HOW VWAG COMPETES WITH MERCEDES!!!!!

This needs to be a JETTA REPLACEMENT!

carloslassiter - 4/22/2014 10:47:29 PM

+1 Boost

It needs even more bland.

chewy - 4/23/2014 3:28:54 AM

+1 Boost

IT would make a pretty good Jetta.

freeagent - 4/23/2014 6:24:15 AM

+1 Boost

the first thing VW needs to do is recognize that this is a sedan, not a coupe. it looks like the new Jetta to me

TomM - 4/23/2014 1:44:46 PM

+1 Boost

VW does not compete in the same space as Mercedes Benz - the Phaeton was proof of that.
The car might compete in the same space as the Hyundai Sonata - if it can bring up its reliability numbers

MattDarringer - 4/23/2014 9:13:21 PM

+1 Boost

The Passat competes with the Sonata. That renders this as only having a shot as the next Jetta and it is too dull and boring to replace the dull and boring Jetta.

Autopinion - 4/24/2014 12:17:32 AM

+1 Boost

Yawn.

SharkPhi - 4/29/2014 5:22:18 PM

+1 Boost

Same old statements...this "competes" with a 3, a C, a CLA, an IS etc. in the same way it competes with a Corolla and a Civic: Because they are all about the same size. Other than that, I don't see someone who is actually considering a Luxury branded vehicle like the CLA (or 2/3 series, or A3/A4) jaunting down to the VW dealer after a test drive.