These are official pictures of the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG, leaked onto a Russian website a week ahead of its debut at the New York Motor Show. In fact, this is the second chance we’ve had to see the hot, AMG-tuned version of Merc’s baby four-door coupe. The car had a virtual unveiling at the end of February when it was revealed as a star of the Driveclub computer game, soon to be released on the Sony Playstation 4.
Although there are no official details to accompany the leaked pictures, it’s a safe bet that the CLA 45 AMG will use the same 355bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine as the recently revealed A 45 AMG, a car it shares underpinnings with. That means a 0-62mph time of less than five seconds and a top speed limited to 155mph.
A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox will be standard fit, while quicker steering, AMG-specific suspension and bigger brakes will make it sharper than the standard CLA to drive.
As you can see in the images, visually it picks up where the standard car in AMG Sport trim leaves off, adding entirely new front and rear bumpers, deeper side skirts and lashing of gloss black trim. Inside, the dash is lifted by a carbon-fibre trim panel, while there’s red seatbelts and red trim on the deeply-bolstered sports seats.
Prices for the A 45 AMG are expected to start from around £36,000, so taking into account the jump between a standard A-Class and a CLA, expect to pay a premium of around £3,000 when it arrives in UK showrooms later this year.
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Mercedes manages to mate breath-taking pace with stunning looks!
Very nice. Coming to the US? Doubt it.
The CLA and CLA 45 were specifically developed for the US because hatchbacks don't sell in the US.
Yeah I realize I made that comment too quickly. I think hatchbacks sell fine in the US, just not wagon variants.
Another ugly car from Germany. I don't care how technically stunning it is.
I am sure the Brits will create a breathtaking Rover, Jag, Aston...Ah wait! Aren't these companies in the Chinese hands already? hmm...German success must be so painful ;)
Totally agree with your comments about painful German success for the Brits but please check your facts about the Chinese ownership of the marks you mentioned above.