Daimler’s new compact four-door coupe shows up a touch ahead of schedule, and it’s looking all the better for it. Mercedes found a real hit on its hands with the CLS-Class.

The trouble is that not everyone can afford such an extravagance. Sure, not everyone can afford a Mercedes, period, but the German automaker is going after a wider demographic with smaller, more cost-effective models.

Like this one. Called the CLA, it’s the four-door coupe version of the new A-Class.

But while the hatchback version will remain restricted to overseas markets, the CLA is designed with American buyers in mind. And this is our first proper look at the design.

Previewed by the Concept Style Coupe, the CLA cuts a svelte and stylish profile. Although there were no details leaked along with these images, we can see it has remained as faithful to the showcar as you could reasonably expect, with lines that look like they’ve been drawn in liquid metal before it’s seized into shape over the chassis.

It’s also got that nifty perforated grille Benz has been playing with, and from the looks of that last image, a few customization options for the interior. Expect a range of engines driving through a new 4Matic all-wheel drive system Mercedes has developed for this platform, to be topped by the CLA45 AMG.

Tom Cooper | Elite.