AEM Air Intake System for Mercedes CLA250 Reflects Luxury Appearance

Dec 8, 2016

The replacement housing improves intake air flow while blocking hot engine air

The replacement intake housing flows considerably more air than the stock system

Mercedes–Benz introduced the replacement for the C Class, the CLA, three model-years ago with an eye-catching MSRP below $30,000, making ownership of a stylish, new luxury sedan a reality for more buyers, as well as throwing a cross block at competitors like Audi and BMW. There have been a few price increases since 2014, so the CLA250 doesn’t quite squeeze under the $30K barrier any longer, but the car remains a solid contender in the compact luxury class.

Although it makes concessions in certain areas to achieve a lower base price, it still feels like an authentic luxury sedan. One concession is that the CLA250 is the first Mercedes-Benz to reach these shores with a front-wheel drive configuration. The other is that it’s powered by a four-cylinder engine. While not the first Mercedes to be so equipped, when compared to the car it replaced, the discontinued C Class was available with four, six, and eight cylinder engines.

The most striking technical feature of the 2.0L turbocharged motor is that it’s extremely compact to fit in both transverse and longitudinal installations. To achieve this, all ancillary components were packed as closely to the engine as possible.

AEM developed the system to appear as close to OEM as possible

The system design was intended to reflect the premium appearance of Mercedes cars

The block was also designed to be narrow and light, made from an aluminum casting with 90 mm bore centers. The engine is fitted with a hollow-cast crankshaft, resulting in an engine that weighs just over 300 lbs. The aluminum cylinder head features four valves per cylinder and a three-stage camshaft – one set of lobes for low speed driving, a second for mid-throttle applications, and a third for foot-to-the-floor acceleration.

While the 208 horsepower is impressive enough, the Cadillac ATS, a competition in almost every area of comparison, offers a 2.0 L four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 272 horsepower. If you’re a 2014 – 2016 Mercedes CLA 250 owner and you’re looking for a bump in power, consider the AEM 21-781DS cold air intake, which adds 10 wheel horsepower over a stock CLA250.

The AEM 21-781DS performance cold air intake system produces horsepower and torque gains by replacing your Mercedes’s restrictive factory air filter and air intake housing. This air intake system was designed, tuned, and dyno-tested to fit specific Mercedes Benz CLA250 models with an OEM-like appearance.

Air enters the system from the factory fresh air inlets, through replacement air ducts and into a roto-molded, aerodynamic AEM air box that isolates the intake air from the hot engine air. Inside the AEM air box is an oversized AEM Dryflow synthetic washable air filter for outstanding air flow, filtration, and performance.

This air intake system was developed to accommodate the engine’s factory emissions control devices including the ECU, so there’s no concern over having to reprogram the Mercedes’s computer.

The AEM plate indicates to all the sporting intentions of this Mercedes-Benz

Only a subtle plate indicates that this CLA250 has been upgraded to an AEM system

The tapered cylinder shaped AEM Dryflow air filter is the largest that will fit and is made from an oil-free, synthetic filter media. The filter is so durable that it can be used for up to 100,000 miles before cleaning is needed, depending on driving conditions.

Cleaning consists of an application of AEM synthetic air filter cleaner, which will loosen and dissolve grime and dirt built up on the filter, after which the filter can simply be rinsed with water, dried, and reinstalled. No messy oiling required!

The AEM 21-781DS performance cold air intake system is easy to install with commonly available tools, and installation can be completed on a Saturday morning. Further, the filter is backed by AEM's Lifetime Limited Warranty.

The AEM 21-781DS fits the following vehicles:

2016 MERCEDES BENZ CLA250 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2015 MERCEDES BENZ CLA250 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2014 MERCEDES BENZ CLA250 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2013 MERCEDES BENZ CLA250 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models

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