The AMG CLA 45 has returned, but not as you remember it. Gone is the turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine, replaced by a tri-motor setup. Although the CLA sits 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 yields a peak system output of 680 horsepower. The continuous output delivered by the three electric motors is predictably lower, at 612 horsepower. Nevertheless, that’s still mighty impressive for an EV in this segment and well above the 416 horsepower produced by the four-cylinder engine in the gasoline-powered AMG CLA 45.
The torque figure is even more staggering: a mountain-moving 1,298 pound-feet. That’s more than triple the 369 pound-feet generated by the old AMG CLA 45’s engine, the most powerful four-cylinder ever installed in a series-production car. If you’re wondering whether the two cars have anything in common besides the name, both feature fully variable 4Matic all-wheel drive, but that’s where the similarities end.
View Price on AmazonPerformance figures are predictably impressive. Whether it’s the sedan or the wagon, the new AMG-ified CLA hits 60 mph in three seconds flat. Sporty EVs have been criticized for their lower top speeds, but that shouldn’t be the case here, since the cars max out at a respectable 168 mph with the AMG Dynamic Plus Package. Even without it, 155 mph is nothing to sneeze at.
Those three axial-flux motors we mentioned earlier draw their juice from a lithium-ion battery pack with a usable energy capacity of 94 kWh. Stick to the sedan, and it’ll cover more than 416 miles on the combined test cycle. The slightly heavier and less aerodynamic CLA Shooting Brake will do over 397 miles before running out of juice.
When the battery inevitably runs low, Mercedes claims you won’t have to wait a long time to get back on the road. With support for 330-kW charging, it’ll take only 22 minutes to replenish the battery from 10 to 80 percent. In just 10 minutes, the AMG CLA 45 will put enough energy back into the battery to cover more than 168 miles.
For maximum efficiency, the front electric motor is automatically disconnected when its power is not needed, effectively enabling a pure rear-wheel-drive mode.
And now we get to the controversial part. Yes, the electric performance sedan has simulated gear changes like its bigger brother. Yes, it also fakes the sounds made by a combustion engine, but a four-cylinder unit instead of a V8, as is the case in the larger AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. To further mimic the ICE experience, seat shakers generate vibrations while the digital instrument cluster has a gear indicator and even a rev counter.
Speaking of the interior, it has the familiar screen bonanza we've seen on recent Mercedes models. There are only two individual seats in the back, unlike the regular CLA's more practical three-seat rear bench. The electric AMG CLA 45 is also predictably heavy for a vehicle in this segment, with the Shooting Brake weighing 5,060 pounds or 33 pounds more than the sedan.
Motor1's Take: Although EVs continue to gain ground in most parts of the world, we remain skeptical about their appeal in the performance segment. At least for now, Mercedes isn't saying whether it'll follow up with another gasoline-powered AMG CLA 45, which would likely better resonate with enthusiasts seeking an entry-level performance car from a luxury brand.
Source: motor1.com
