We take a ride in the lighting-quick
AMG-tuned CLA
Tobias Moers smiles as he hits the starter
motor of the Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG 4Matic outside company headquarters in
Afflterbach, Germany.
“You’re the first outside to experience
this car”, says the head of AMG’s research and development operations, adding,
“It’s a pity you can’t drive it yet, but I think you’ll be impressed, anyway”.
2014
Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG
Impressed? If the performance figures Mercedes
claims are any indication, we’re in for quite a ride. With 355 hp and 332 lb-ft
of torque, the CLA45 is the most powerful series production sedan to run a
2.0-liter inline four-cylinder gas engine. Mercedes says 0-62 mph comes up in
4.6 seconds.
Exiting the parking lot to public roads,
the CLA45 doesn’t sound any more exciting than the CLA250 Sport, emitting a
raspy timbre. But as soon as Moers finds a lonely stretch of road and extends
the engine, a flap in the optional sport exhaust system opens and the note
grows in intensity and becomes a menacing blare near the 6,600-rpm redline.
Exiting
the parking lot to public roads, the CLA45 doesn’t sound any more exciting than
the CLA250 Sport, emitting a raspy timbre
The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox has
been up-graded over the standard trans to cope with the added performance,
including software from the SLS AMG.
When Moers throws the car into corners, the
CLA45 reveals it’s magic. It’s eager to turn in and accepts speed without any
discernible push at the front end. Body control is superb. Roll, pitch and dive
are present, but nowhere near the levels in the CLA250. The whole car feels
well tied down.
The
whole car feels well tied down.
The CLA45’s ability to carry high lateral
forces without under steer can be attributed to the all-wheel-drive system. It
helps place power to the road and provides excellent traction and, according to
Moers, negates any tendency toward torque steer.
The most impressive feature is the
compliant ride. For a car with such sporting pretensions, it offers excellent
bump absorption without excessive harshness or rebound. A sport suspension with
firmer springs and dampers will be part of a long option s list.
Body
control is superb. Roll, pitch and dive are present, but nowhere near the
levels in the CLA250. The whole car feels well tied down.
It will be six months before we drive the
CLA45 in North America, but what’s already clear is that it’s going to be a
force. Direct rivals are few and far between, but with Audi revealing a new S3
sedan at the New York auto show, looks like we might be in for a renewed
four-door performance car matchup.
