Mercedes-AMG CLA45 EV Sets 7:32 'Ring Lap TimeMercedes-BenzIn its base form, the new Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class EV stands out with a combination of spectacular efficiency and a sub-$50,000 starting price. Things become a lot more interesting for enthusiasts in the car's AMG form, though. The first-ever electric CLA45 may not be confirmed for the American market any time soon, but European buyers get a ridiculous 680-horsepower tri-motor setup in their quick sub-compact. Unsurprisingly, that leads to some pretty quick times on a track; on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, that time happens to be 7:32.07.The number was set by driver Kevin Berger as part of an official AMG record attempt, one that puts the tiny sedan a second ahead of the latest Audi RS3 in the battle of sub-compact four-doors. It also leaves the new AMG just a second behind a Porsche-conducted 997-generation 911 GT2 record run in 2007, nearly matching a time set by rallying legend Walter Rohrl.While the time is quick, there are few sub-compact performance EVs on the market, and thus the CLA has little in its very specific segment to compare itself to. It is about seven seconds off the fastest time set by anything resembling a sub-compact, a 7:25.5 set by a BMW M2 CS last year, but the CLA's time is a record for anything of its size in a four-door shape.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis is just the start for electric AMG records at the 'Ring. While nothing in the company's EV pipeline seems poised to match the all-time track record of 6:29 that the brand set with the AMG One supercar, the upcoming four-door AMG GT EV should inch closer with the help of its nearly 1200-hp powertrain. And unlike the CLA AMG model that is still unconfirmed for the American market, that AMG GT EV is definitely headed Stateside.You Might Also LikeIf You Can Only Own One Car, Make It One of TheseThese Are the Most Popular Cars by State