Mercedes-AMG CLA EV caught in action as sleek electric saloon gears up for launch

The covers have just come off the new all-electric Mercedes CLA, and coming soon will be a hot AMG variant – which we’ve spotted testing ahead of its expected launch later this year. 

We already have a good idea as to how the new Mercedes-AMG CLA will look, both inside and outside, thanks to the launch of the standard model. However, there will be plenty of key differences, visually and technically, to mark the AMG model out as the performance range-topper. 

And these latest spy shots give a great indication as to what’s in store. Despite the camouflage, we can clearly see the AMG will gain a bespoke front bumper with a more aggressive look, thanks to larger air intakes. The main Mercedes ‘Panamericana’ grille (which remains blanked off) looks unchanged from other AMG products, although we can expect a unique insert design. The production-relevant lighting elements on both the front and rear are visible, too – sharing the same three-pointed star signature as the regular CLA. There also appears to be a painted pre-production body.

The rear looks very similar to that of the standard CLA EV – although, as an all-electric model, the new AMG CLA won’t have four exhaust pipes hiding under the bumper. We should, however, see another unique bumper and some AMG badging. 

The AMG model will gain some slightly more flared wheelarches (with an AMG badge on the front wing) to give the car a more imposing look, and house wider wheels and chunkier tyres. That’s not just for visual punch, either, because as you’d expect, it’ll get more power than the regular car. 

The CLA 250+ kicks off with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 268bhp that’ll get it from 0-62mph in just 6.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 130mph. The dual-motor CLA 350, meanwhile – with its more potent 348bhp output – reduces the CLA’s 0-62mph time to 4.9 seconds. The AMG will get dual-motor power, although we expect it to be upped to around 450bhp, potentially with British firm Yasa providing the motors, just like it’s doing with the new Mercedes-AMG EV super-saloon.

Prioritising performance over efficiency, the AMG model might not be able to match the standard CLA EV’s 484-mile range maximum, although we expect an impressive figure from an 85kWh battery, possibly over the 400-mile mark. 

In terms of rivals, the electric Mercedes-AMG CLA will most likely have the German performance compact EV space to itself initially, with both BMW M and Audi Sport focusing their attention on larger models like the forthcoming iM3 and RS 6 e-tron. Instead, the flagship CLA will have to deal with new-age competitors, with companies like Hyundai and Tesla leading the charge in the segment.

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