Mercedes-Benz revealed this week at the 2013 New York auto show the new CLA45 AMG, which is the high-performance version of their new CLA-Class. As we expected, the Mercedes CLA45 AMG is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that develops 360 hp at 6,000 rpm and 450 Nm of torque at 2250-5000 rpm. Mercedes says that the new CLA45 AMG is able to accelerate from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.6 seconds and to reach a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). The CLA45 AMG is rated with a 6.9 – 7.1 l/100 km (40.9 UK mpg) combined fuel economy and a 161 - 165 g/km CO2 emissions level. Mercedes says that the engine in their new CLA45 AMG is the most powerful series-production four-cylinder engine in the world. We have to disagree with this. The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine in the Mitsubishi Evo FQ400 develops 400 hp.
Just like the Evo, the CLA45 AMG comes with a 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system, which makes us wonder. Does Mercedes think about entering the rally world? The CLA45 however, is available with an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission only. There is no manual gearbox option.
The CLA45 AMG's engine features spray-guided direct petrol injection via piezo injectors, a gravity-die sandcast all-aluminum crankcase, a weight-optimized crank assembly with a forged steel crankshaft and forged pistons with friction-optimized piston rings, NANOSLIDE cylinder wall technology, air-water charge air cooling, generator management and an ECO start/stop function. The turbocharger generates a maximum pressure of 1.8 bar.
The Mercedes CLA45 AMG has several driving modes, including C, S and a Momentary M mode. No, the M mode does not have the same function as in the case of a BMW M car. The CLA45 AMG's M mode puts the car into manual mode. The C mode stands for Controlled Efficiency and the S mode for sport.
The 4MATIC all‑wheel drive system of the Mercedes CLA45 is able to split the torque between the two axles up to a 50:50 ratio. The CLA45 comes with a 3-stage ESP and the ESP Curve Dynamic Assist system, which work together and offer the driver the possibility of choosing different settings for the car's handling characteristics. For the CLA45, Mercedes is offering an independent sport suspension, speed-sensitive steering, and high performance brakes with 350 x 32 mm discs at the front and 330 x 22 mm ones at the rear.
The Mercedes CLA45 AMG comes with a distinctive body kit, which includes a new front apron, a twin blade radiator grille, a new rear bumper with an integrated diffuser, and side skirts. The CLA45 has two chrome-plated twin tailpipes with an exhaust flap.
Mercedes CLA45 AMG Optional Equipment:
- AMG carbon-fiber exterior mirror housing
- AMG Exterior Carbon-Fiber package: front splitter, side sill panel inserts and trim on rear apron in genuine carbon fiber
- AMG carbon-fiber interior trim
- AMG Exclusive package
- AMG floor mats
- AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels in 8 x 19 fitted with 235/35 R 19 tires, in two variants: painted in titanium grey with high-sheen finish or in matt black with high-sheen rim flange
- AMG Night package: privacy glass, black anodized beltline trim strip, black tailpipe trims in chromed finish, radiator fins in silver chrome, high-gloss black painted finish for front splitter, exterior mirrors, side sill panel inserts and rear apron trim
- AMG Performance exhaust system
- AMG Performance suspension with tauter spring/damper tuning
- AMG Performance steering wheel and E-SELECT lever, electronic main key with AMG emblem
- AMG Performance seats
- AMG wheel bolt covers in black with hub caps in central-locking look (for standard AMG light-alloy wheels only)
- Intelligent Light System
- Red-painted calipers
Mercedes did not yet announce the CLA45 AMG's price, but they do mention that it will go on sale this July. The first deliveries will commence in September. The full details and specifications of the CLA45 are available here.
