I drove the new Mercedes CLA Coupe 200 – it looks the business and rides nicely but the front grille is a shocker

I’M starting to feel a little bit sorry for Lewis Hamilton.

Nothing to do with Max and Red Bull blitzing F1.

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Lewis had his time before that.

I’m talking about the rumpus over Lewis wearing jewellery at races.

He’s just being on-brand. I’m serious.

Take a look at the bling across the front of this new Mercedes CLA Coupe.

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There’s a big three-pointed star in the middle. Which is fine. Everyone does that.

Plus another Mercedes badge on the front edge on the bonnet. Also fine.

And then TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY THREE little stars – I counted them – emblazoned across the grille. Overkill.

It would be no good for a hit-and-run because your victim would be imprinted with a constellation of stars. They’d know you did it.

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The jewellery continues with “Mercedes-Benz” printed on the brake calipers.

Ditto the door sills. But these ones are illuminated.

Then there’s the back-lit air vents and strips of ambient lighting, with a choice of 64 colours.

It’s like a disco in here. It’s all too much.

You get the sense someone is trying too hard to be hip and down with the kids.

Now you’re probably thinking I dislike this car. But I don’t.

The CLA is my favourite small Mercedes.

Star-patterned grille aside, it looks the business. It rides nicely (multi-link rear axle).

And it adopts lots of top-notch tech first seen in the S-Class limo.

You just need to pick the right engine.

There are four choices – one diesel, two petrols and a plug-in hybrid.

The 1.3-litre petrols sourced from Renault are a leeetle bit noisy and best avoided.

The plug-in hybrid will do up to 52 miles in e-mode if that’s important to you.

But the 2-litre diesel with eight-speed auto is really rather nice and nudges 55mpg. That’s the kiddy.

Unless you go for the peri-peri hot AMG version.

Now you need to decide CLA coupe or shooting brake? Coupe for me.

Much prettier and you only lose a little boot space.

From the driver’s seat everything else is the same. You get the latest steering wheel from the EQE.

The PlayStation-style cross on the left controls the left screen – for music, maps and more.

The PlayStation-style cross on the right controls the right screen – the driver’s binnacle. Simples.

The sports seats are heated and super comfy. Head-up display keeps your eyes on the road.

There are proper cup holders, wireless charging and neat storage for all your bits and bobs.

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The execution is typical Merc. It’s a nice place to be.

Best of all, you can’t see that garish front grille from here.

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