Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 and 35 gain fresh tweaks for 2023

Exterior redesign and tech update for performance versions of the CLA four-door coupe

Mercedes has given its svelte CLA model a facelift for 2023 - including the hot AMG CLA 45 and 35 derivatives. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet for Afalterbach’s latest efforts, but we expect the cars to go on sale in the coming months. 

The A-Class received its mid-life facelift in 2022, which brought changes to the Mercedes-AMG A 45 and A 35 hot hatches. With these models sitting on the same platform and sharing plenty of technology and design - it’s pretty much deja vu with these updates to the more style-conscious CLA 

There’s a new radiator grille, a reshaped front bumper and revised headlight and rear light signatures. Three fresh sets of 18-inch alloy wheels have been made for the AMG CLA 35 model as well as two new 19-inch designs for the 45 S versions. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Pricing for the facelift CLA 45 and 35 hasn’t been announced yet, but first customers will be offered a limited edition of the CLA 45 S called the AMG Street Style Edition. It gets Mountain Grey Magno paintwork as standard, along with an AMG logo and chequered-flag pattern down the side. Fluorescent orange accents can be seen on the 19-inch wheels, rear diffuser, front lip spoiler and side canards. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The interior features AMG’s optional Performance seat in black and orange stitching with “CLA 45 S” embroidered in orange on the headrests. There’s also contrasting orange stitching on the door sill trims and AMG floor mats with “Street Style Edition” lettering.  

AMG has left the powertrain of the range-topping 45 S alone. The 45 S’ 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder engine is essentially one bank of the twin-turbo V8 used by AMG’s larger models, like the E 63 S and AMG GT 4-door. In the CLA 45 S, it produces 415bhp and 500Nm of torque for a 0-62mph time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 168mph. 

The lower-rung CLA 35 gets a detuned version of this unit now fitted with a 48-volt electrical system, acting as a mild-hybrid. This allows for electric-only coasting and ‘start-stop functions’ according to Mercedes. As before, it chucks out 302bhp and 400Nm of torque for an unchanged 0-62mph time of 4.9 seconds and 155mph top speed. 

Although the CLA 45 S is four-wheel drive, it has a rear differential with a pair of clutches, one for each driveshaft, which allow power to be metered out precisely between each of the rear wheels. This, according to Mercedes, not only helps traction but allows the introduction of “Drift Mode,” meaning that the CLA 45 will engage in the sort of lairy tyre smoking action that’s something of a trademark of Mercedes-AMG models.

Now read our list of the best performance cars...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Mercedes CLA vs Genesis G70: Germany faces Korea in our junior exec shoot-out
Mercedes CLA and Genesis G70 - front tracking
Car group tests

Mercedes CLA vs Genesis G70: Germany faces Korea in our junior exec shoot-out

Stylish four-door models from Mercedes and Genesis go head to head, as the updated CLA takes on the G70
17 Feb 2024
2024 Skoda Octavia facelift shown in new sketches
Skoda Octavia facelift sketch - front
News

2024 Skoda Octavia facelift shown in new sketches

The evergreen Skoda Octavia’s subtle facelift will be revealed in full on Feb 14th
6 Feb 2024
Top 10 best fast family cars 2024
Best fast family cars - February update
Best cars & vans

Top 10 best fast family cars 2024

Having a family shouldn't limit you to a boring hatchback or people carrier - here's our top 10 fast family cars
1 Feb 2024
Electric Mercedes-AMG CLA saloon: spy shots of new performance flagship taking shape
New Mercedes-AMG CLA saloon (camouflaged) - front 3/4
News

Electric Mercedes-AMG CLA saloon: spy shots of new performance flagship taking shape

Mercedes is on the cusp of introducing the new MMA-underpinned CLA saloon and we’d be shocked if this wasn’t the AMG flagship
19 Jan 2024

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Car Deal of the Day: updated Skoda Enyaq at 0% APR and a free home wallbox charger thrown in
Skoda Enyaq iV - front cornering
News

Car Deal of the Day: updated Skoda Enyaq at 0% APR and a free home wallbox charger thrown in

Skoda’s family-friendly EV with 348-mile range is our Car Deal of the Day for 26 March
26 Mar 2024