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What It Is: The AMG version of Mercedes-Benz's upcoming A-class–based compact sedan, the CLA, which is touted as the little brother of the CLS four-door coupe. The AMG version will top the car's lineup with a powerful all-wheel-drive model. Visual differentiation will come in the form of aero flics around the lower front intakes, rectangular dual exhaust outlets, and a large rear spoiler, which is meant to enhance high-speed stability. The car will roll on 19-inch aluminum wheels shod with 235/35 rubber. Inside, the standard CLA's embarrassingly old-fashioned column-mounted shifter will be swapped for one on the center console; it will emulate those on the rear-wheel-drive AMG models. The dashboard will be graced by a woven-carbon-fiber structure.
Why It Matters: AMG chief Ola Källenius aims to make the AMG sub-brand more accessible to new customers with the CLA45 AMG and the A45 AMG, the latter of which won’t come to the U.S. Källenius wants to grow his business—and position AMG as a serious contender—especially at a time when BMW's M GmbH seems to be losing its purist edge.
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Platform: The CLA will be based on Mercedes' new "CC" platform, which was ushered in by the B-class and encompasses the A-class hatchback, the CLA, a crossover SUV model, and at least one more body style, likely a CLA station wagon dubbed a "shooting brake" despite its four-door configuration. The platform is designed to share powertrain and electronic components with Benz's rear-wheel-drive sedans and thus offers a remarkable level of high-tech features. Its strengths include ultra-direct steering and top-notch handling characteristics.
Powertrains: Power comes from Benz’s M133 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, force-fed by one large twin-scroll BorgWarner turbocharger. Maximum horsepower will be close to 350 and torque will exceed 295 lb-ft. The M133 is derived from the brand's most recent mass-market four-cylinder engine. The only available transmission will be Mercedes’ own seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, which will be strengthened for the AMG. The all-wheel-drive system is based on the unit that will become available on the non-AMG models, but modified for this high-torque application. The stability control system will have regular, Sport, and full-off modes; this last setting will provide rear-biased power delivery.
AMG will retain the "one-man-one-engine" concept for the CLA45 AMG, but the engines will be finished at the Mercedes-Benz engine plant in Kölleda instead of AMG's home in Affalterbach. We expect a 0-to-60 time of well under five seconds, and a standard governed top speed of 155 mph, with a 174-mph limiter as an option.
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Competition: BMW 135i, and not much else.
What Might Go Wrong: It’s possible the CLA45 could cannibalize sales of the brutally fast but gas-guzzling C63 AMG. It also remains to be seen whether customers will fall for the curvaceous styling, which seems more Shanghai than Stuttgart to us.
Estimated Arrival and Price: Look for the CLA45 to arrive in Mercedes showrooms in late 2013 as a 2014 model, at the earliest. Prices will start at around $50,000.
Source: Car and Driver
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