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Mercedes-Benz CLA Prices, Features And Specifications: $49,900 In Australia | Reviews | Prices | Australian specifications

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that its new CLA-Class sedan will hit Australia in October, priced from $49,900 plus on-road costs.

Arriving as the sedan companion to Merc's A-Class hatch, the new model will be offered in CLA 200, CLA 250 Sport and top-shelf CLA 45 AMG form.

In Australia, the new four-door coupe - known in development as the 'baby CLS' - will face off against Audi's new A3 sedan, due here early in 2014.

Engine options in the CLA mirror the mills offered with the A-Class, although Mercedes has opted - at least for now - to leave out the CLA 180 entry model offered overseas.

Although the 90kW '180' is available in the A-Class range, the sedan range will kick off with the more powerful CLA 200.

Power in the CLA 200 is provided by Merc's 115kW/250Nm 1.6 litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder, with fuel consumption listed at 5.7 l/100km.

In the middle of the three-car range is the CLA 250 Sport, driven by the same 155kW/350Nm 2.0 litre turbo petrol four that you'll find in the A 250 Sport hatch. The engine is matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch auto exclusively.

Mercedes claims a 0-100km/h time of 6.7 seconds for the 250, with fuel use rated at 6.1 l/100km.

Topping the trio is the hero CLA 45 AMG, priced at $86,900 - marking a $12,000 premium over its hatch counterpart.

Like the A 45, the CLA 45 AMG is driven by Merc's mad-hat 265kW/450Nm 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Keeping the new AMG in check is an all-wheel-drive system, taking power through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Mercedes says that setup will push the CLA 45 to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds, just like its A 45 AMG hatch twin.

The CLA 200 and CLA 250 are both equipped with 18-inch wheels, along with Becker 'Map Pilot' navigation system and a reversing camera.

Choosing the CLA 250 also adds heated electric leather sports seats (with memory function) and the AMG Sport styling kit.

Move up to the range-topping CLA 45 AMG and there's 19-inch alloys, the AMG Driver's Package, AMG Night Package, AMG Performance sports steering wheel, COMAND satellite navigation and Harmon Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system.

Depending on the model, driver-aid and safety features include Attention Assist, Brake Hold, Hill-Start Assist, Distronic Plus, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Blind Spot and Lane Keeping Assist, Active Parking Assist, and Linguatronic voice control.

Although technically an entry-level offering at the small-car end of the Mercedes line-up, the CLA's proportions aren't far off the 'larger' C-Class model.

Measuring 4630mm long, the CLA is 38mm longer than the C-Class - although much of that is overhang, with the new model sitting on a wheelbase 61mm shorter than in the midsizer.

Watch for more local features to be confirmed when the CLA-Class debuts in October.