Mercedes-Benz GLA Concept at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show

• Looks like: A swanky compact crossover from Mercedes-Benz
• Defining characteristics: Layered dashboard, aggressive exterior styling
• Ridiculous features: "Laser-beam projector headlights," temperature-dependent color-changing interior air vents
• Chance of being mass-produced: Built on current Mercedes A- and B-Class vehicle platforms, so probably very good

The last big auto show of the global season is upon us, and it is shaping up to be perhaps the biggest of the circuit. Mercedes-Benz has chosen the Shanghai motor show in China to unveil a new concept: the Concept GLA compact crossover.

Built off of the same platform as Mercedes-Benz' A- and B-Class vehicles, which we will see in the U.S. as the 2014 CLA sedan and B-Class Electric Drive, it uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine to make 208 horsepower. That energy is channeled through a seven-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels using Mercedes-Benz' 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. So mechanically, the Concept GLA is certainly feasible, and given the Chinese market's thirst for small premium compact crossovers, it makes sense.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG Photo Gallery

High performance and luxury can be combined in a small package as the new 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG proves.

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AMG engineers took the new entry-level subcompact luxury CLA-Class and turned it into a rocket that will sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, according to Mercedes. Power comes from a 355-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

The CLA45 AMG's exterior gets an array of aggressive styling tweaks like black wheels with massive red-painted AMG brake calipers, optional carbon fiber aerodynamic enhancements and a menacing-looking dual exhaust. Inside, the cabin gets occupants ready for the racetrack thanks to a carbon fiber and faux leather interior with red stitching, a flat-bottom steering wheel, a shifter assembly that came straight from the gull-wing SLS AMG and bolstered sport seats.

Check out the gallery below. Cars.com photos by Evan Sears.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG: Up Close

Few automakers succeed in mirroring characteristics of their high-end cars in entry-level offerings. The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG is the exception and truly appears as a scaled-down version of the almost $100,000 CLS63 AMG four-door coupe it emulates. The 2014 CLA is Mercedes' newest and least- expensive offering.

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Mercedes' performance-oriented AMG models have subtle appearance add-ons inside and out, but pack a big punch on the road. The CLA is no different with brightly colored red stitching and seat belts, sport seats and functional performance vents and spoilers. Under the hood is the most-powerful production four-cylinder in a Mercedes-Benz, cranking out 355 horsepower.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG at the 2013 New York Auto Show

Competes with: Audi S4, BMW 335is 
Looks like: Honey, I shrunk the $95,900 CLS63 AMG into a compact car
Drivetrain: 355-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder; seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission; all-wheel drive
Hits dealerships: November 2013; ordering starts this spring

Mercedes-Benz is looking to redefine what a "pocket rocket" is. The 2014 CLA45 AMG builds on the company's newest and least-expensive CLA-Class by stuffing a 355-horsepower four-cylinder into the four-door coupe. Mercedes says the CLA45's turbocharged 2.0-liter is the most-powerful four-cylinder engine built in a production car; it should propel the CLA45 AMG to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

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No other small sedan crams this much power into an entry-level luxury car. A base CLA-Class starts at $30,825, including a $925 destination charge, while the CLA45 AMG starts at $48,375 including destination charge. The CLA45's 2.0-liter engine uses twin-scroll turbocharging, water-to-air intercooling and a stout 26.1 psi of turbocharger effort to pull off its high horsepower. In traditional AMG fashion, the high-performance CLA45 AMG comes with only an automatic transmission, though the seven-speed dual clutch automated manual transmission is no ordinary automatic as the style of transmission typically offers lightning quick shifting.

Most-Watched Videos of the Week

Truck fans can't get enough of Ford's Atlas concept truck. Two videos of the Atlas top our charts for another week. If you want to see it in person head to the 2013 Chicago Auto Show this week. In third was the lone newcomer to this week's list, our video featuring Mercedes-Benz's new entry-level sedan, the 2014 CLA-Class. Check out what else was popular:

1. Ford Atlas Concept
2. Ford Atlas Concept at the Detroit Auto Show
3. 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
4. 2014 Kia Sorento
5. 2013 Ram HD 3500

Editor's Note: This post was edited to appropriately identify the Atlas appearing at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show. Feb. 11.

Super Bowl Ad Announces Price of 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

According to a Mercedes-Benz ad running Sunday during Super Bowl XLVII, you won't have to make a deal with the devil to own a luxury vehicle and enjoy all of the "seductive" side effects that come with it. The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class — the automaker's first front-wheel-drive compact sedan — will start at $29,900 when it hits dealerships in September (no word yet on the destination charge), according to the TV spot. The CLA-Class starts higher than many competitors, including the 2013 Audi A3 ($28,165), 2013 Acura ILX ($26,795) and 2013 Buick Verano ($23,965). All competitor prices include destination.

Most-Watched Videos of the Week

The 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit this week ushered in an almost entirely new crop of videos on our most-watched list, with the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee shooting straight to No. 1. The second through fourth spots also were occupied by 2014 vehicles on display at the Detroit auto show. The lone holdover from last week was the 2013 BMW M5, which fell four spots to No. 5 from its previous perch atop the list. Check out the top video above and see which others were popular this week:

• 1. 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2. 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
• 3. 2014 Chevrolet Corvette
• 4. 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
• 5. 2013 BMW M5

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Video

Mercedes-Benz showed off a new entry-level sedan at the show, slotting below the C-Class in size and price. The automaker expects the CLA-Class to compete in the growing compact luxury class against the Audi A3, Acura ILX and Buick Verano.

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The CLA-Class comes with front-wheel-drive, but all-wheel-drive is available, and Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays says that its styling is reminiscent of last year's Concept Style Coupe and the brand's larger, more high-end CLS sedan. Check out the video below.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250: Up Close

Mercedes-Benz' newest, and perhaps most significant, model won't be appearing at this year's 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, is on the show floor in Detroit, but the company provided a preview of the new compact sedan at a reception the night before the show's kickoff.

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The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 sedan is a small front-wheel-drive "four-door coupe" in Mercedes-speak, with styling that draws from its successful big brother, the CLS-Class. Larger than it appears in photos, the CLA is indeed a dramatic departure for the brand; it has a swoopy coupe-like profile accentuated by blacked-out pillars and frameless windows. How those frameless windows do in practice, given the typical wind noise associated with such a design, remains to be seen.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA: Photo Gallery

Mercedes-Benz isn't showing its new CLA on the floor of the 2013 Detroit auto show; instead, it deciding to unveil the CLA the night before things officially kicked off. That doesn’t mean we aren't giving it the same attention of cars that are unveiled at Cobo Center.

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Here's a photo gallery shot by Cars.com staff photographer Evan Sears. The photos below illustrate just how small this sports sedan truly is.