Small saloons have a chequered history. Cars like the Ford Orion and Vauxhall Belmont were popular in the 1980s, but have since vanished from showrooms -- seen as inferior to the equivalent hatchbacks.
Mercedes aims to turn that perception on its head. The CLA is a four-door saloon based on the A-class hatch, but is more expensive and -- notionally at least -- more desirable.