The new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 uses three electric motors, but can mimic a V8. Mercedes-AMG has also developed fake gear shifts for the electric sedan. Special front seats that vibrate further help to mimic the feel of a combustion engine. Earlier this month, Mercedes-AMG set a class lap record for the new electric CLA 45 at the Nürburgring, lapping the circuit in an impressive 7:32.070. With three electric motors and a combined 671 hp and 1,297 lb-ft (1,759 Nm), it’s quite a different proposition than the old one. Mercedes insists it’s still fun, despite the electric shift. Much like we saw with the all-electric AMG GT 4-Door earlier this year, Mercedes-AMG has tried to capture the essence of its combustion cars in the electric CLA 45. It’s done this by simulating gear shifts and using a soundtrack to simulate the old 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. As recently revealed by Mercedes boss Ola Kallenius, the system can also replicate the sound of a V8. “When I first drove the CLA 45 with that system, I was like a born-again Christian,” Ola Kallenius told Autocar during a recent interview. “It was the best V8 I’d ever driven: it had all the feeling of a V8 but with more power and torque.” Read: 2027 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 EV Debuts With 3 Motors, 671 HP And A Vibrator Mercedes-AMG made no mention of the CLA 45 reproducing V8 sounds when it unveiled the new car, only noting that it replicated a boosted four-cylinder. Of all the EVs we’ve driven that aim to replicate the sound of a fire-breathing combustion engine, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N has done the best job, so it’ll be interesting to see how good Mercedes-AMG’s system is. The Seats Vibrate, Too One particularly interesting feature launched with the CLA 45 is the new AMGForce shakers. These have been incorporated into the front seats and are designed to deliver vibrations that mimic those of a combustion car. We’re a little doubtful, however, that, no matter how well Mercedes-AMG may have worked on these systems, it cannot possibly have been “the best V8” Kallenius has ever driven. In the performance stakes, the new electric CLA 45 has all the makings to be thrilling to drive. The automaker says it’ll hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.0 seconds and won’t stop accelerating until 168 mph (270 km/h) with the AMG Dynamic Plus Package. Thanks to the 94 kWh battery, it also has an impressive WLTP driving range of 416 miles (670 km). Sources: Autocar