Mercedes-AMG CLA45 and CLA45 S 4Matic+ revealed

Mercedes has just revealed the new AMG CLA45 and CLA45 S 4Matic+ sedans, which are essentially more hardcore and performance-oriented versions of the second-generation CLA. The new CLA45 and the S have received both mechanical and visual updates to differentiate it from the already potent AMG CLA 35.

The biggest talking point on the new AMG is the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine (internally known as the M139), which churns out 420hp with 500Nm of torque in the CLA45 S. This makes the M139 (in this state of tune) the most powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced till date. The same engine is tuned to make 387hp in the standard AMG CLA45 4Matic+. The engine is paired to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and power is sent to all four wheels via Mercedes’ 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system. This translates to the standard and S versions of the new CLA45 being capable of doing the 0-100kph sprint in 4.1sec and 4.0sec, respectively. The standard CLA45 has an electronically limited top speed of 250kph, while the CLA45 S is limited to 270kph. 

Mercedes also offers a variety of driving modes via its AMG Dynamic Select – Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Slippery, Individual and Race, which are standard on the CLA45 S, but are an option in the AMG Dynamic Plus package for the standard CLA45. The Drift mode is another feature that is standard on the top-spec CLA45 S but is an option on the standard car.

In terms of design, both the new CLA45 and the S version feature revised exterior styling that includes canards on the front bumper, more muscular wheel arches, a pronounced boot lid- mounted spoiler and a more aggressive stance overall even when compared to the already sporty CLA 35. The CLA45 comes fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels while the S variant gets even larger 19-inch alloy wheels.

On the inside, the sedan carries over the regular CLA’s interior layout with Mercedes’ latest MBUX operating system that is used for the infotainment system and the digital instrument cluster. The rest of the cabin layout is also the same as the regular car but is finished in all black, gets a sporty AMG steering wheel and sportier AMG bucket seats at the front. The CLA45 S also gets yellow accents on the seat to add to its sporty appeal.

Mercedes has not made any official announcements regarding its plans to bring the CLA45 or the CLA45 S to India. However, the German carmaker is working on bringing the A- class sedan to our market.