The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 is back, and it’s electric

The AMG CLA 45 is back, but not as you remember. Gone is the turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine, replaced by a tri-motor setup. Although the CLA is at the bottom of the Mercedes sedan hierarchy, its performance is anything but entry level. It borrows axial-flux motor technology from the AMG GT 4-door coupe in a compact package available as both a sedan and a wagon.

Combining the front-mounted motor with the two rear motors results in a peak system output of 680 horsepower. Continuous output delivered by the three electric motors is a predictably low, 612 hp. Nevertheless, that’s still very impressive for an EV in this segment and well above the 416 hp produced by the four-cylinder engine in the gasoline-powered AMG CLA 45.

The torque figure is even more staggering: a mountain-going 1,298 pound-feet (1,759 Newton-meters). This is three times more than the 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) produced by the engine of the old AMG CLA 45, the most powerful four-cylinder ever installed in a series-production car. If you’re wondering if the two cars have anything in common besides the name, both feature fully variable 4Matic all-wheel drive, but the similarities end there.

The performance figures are predictably impressive. Be it a sedan or a wagon, the new AMG-ified CLA accelerates to 62 mph (100 km/h) in three seconds. Sporty EVs have been criticized for their low top speeds, but that shouldn’t be the case here, as cars with the AMG Dynamic Plus package have a top speed of a respectable 168 mph (270 km/h). Even without it, a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h) is nothing.

The three axial-flux motors we mentioned earlier draw their juice from a lithium-ion battery pack with a useful energy capacity of 94 kWh. Stick to the sedan, and it will cover more than 416 miles (670 kilometers) on the combined WLTP cycle. The slightly heavier and less aerodynamic CLA Shooting Brake will go more than 397 miles (640 kilometers) before running out.

When the battery inevitably gets low, Mercedes claims you won’t have to wait long to get back on the road. With support for 330-kilowatt charging, it will take only 22 minutes to fill the battery from 10 to 80 percent. In just 10 minutes, the AMG CLA 45 will put enough energy into the battery to travel more than 168 miles (270 kilometers). For maximum efficiency, the front electric motor automatically disconnects when its power is not needed, effectively enabling a pure rear-wheel-drive mode.

Photo by: Mercedes-Benz

And now we come to the controversial part. Yes, the electric performance sedan has simulated gear changes like its bigger brother. Yes, it also simulates the sound produced by a combustion engine, but a four-cylinder unit instead of a V8, as in the larger AMG GT 4-door coupe. To mimic the ICE experience, seat shakers generate vibrations while the digital instrument cluster features a gear indicator and even a rev counter.

As for the interior, there’s the familiar screen bonus we’ve seen in recent Mercedes models. There are only two individual seats in the rear, unlike the more practical three-seat rear bench of the regular CLA. The electric AMG CLA 45 is also predictably heavy for a vehicle in this segment, with the Shooting Brake weighing 5,060 pounds (2,295 kg) or 33 pounds (15 kg) more than the sedan.

31

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Motor1’s Opinion: Although EVs are taking hold in most parts of the world, we are skeptical about their appeal in the performance sector. At least for now, Mercedes isn’t saying whether it will follow up with another gasoline-powered AMG CLA 45, which would likely be better suited for enthusiasts looking for an entry-level performance car from a luxury brand.

Meanwhile, we suspect the electric version will win the hearts of many enthusiasts with its simulated engine sounds and artificial gear changes. There’s no denying that EVs are supercar-quick and have immense power, but it’s not all about the numbers.