AFFALTERBACH (Germany): Mercedes-AMG says it has improved its compact A 45 4MATIC+/ A 45 S 4MATIC+ and CLA 45 4MATIC+/ CLA 45 S 4MATIC+.
Available in two output and torque variants, the newly developed 2.0-litre engine in the cars is the world’s most powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine in manufacture for series production.
Even the basic model with 387hp is more powerful than its predecessor.
The A 45 S 4MATIC+.
The S-variant with 421hp jostles with considerably higher vehicle classes. Perfect sequences in all driving situations, and fast gearshifts measured in milliseconds, are guaranteed by the new AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT-8G dual-clutch transmission with eight gears.
The active, fully-variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive distributes the power to the rear axle wheel-selectively by AMG TORQUE CONTROL – for top traction and the spectacular Drift mode. This is made possible by a new rear axle differential featuring two multidisc clutches – one for each rear wheel.
The CLA 45 S 4MATIC+.
“We have completely redesigned our “45” models – from the engine and transmission through the chassis, the elaborately constructed drivetrain to the body structure and of course the design itself – all with one goal: to raise vehicle dynamics and the sporty driving experience to a level previously unimaginable in the compact class.
“With the presentation of this, our most powerful and most dynamic compact sports car, we are also reinforcing the significance of this segment for our growth strategy”, says Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
For the first time, the compact class now also features the AMG-specific radiator grille with a wider lower contour and twelve vertical louvres – as a clear indicator of AMG Performance family membership.
Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+.
The pronounced “shark nose”, the slim, deeply contoured headlamps and the flat, aerodynamically favourable bonnet with powerdomes visually lower the front section to create the impression of dynamic forward thrust.
The imposing presence is also accentuated by the wider front wings with flared wheel arches.
These create space for the wider front axle, and underline the athletic appearance. This muscular impression is even stronger with the A 45 4MATIC+ than with the CLA 45 4MATIC+, as the basic CLA already has a wider front track and the wings could be flared to a lesser extent.
The CLA 45 S 4MATIC+.
With an output of up to 310 kW (421 hp), the completely newly developed 2.0-litre engine is the world’s most powerful turbocharged four-cylinder manufactured for series production.
This positioning logic has already proved successful for the AMG Performance models with a V8 engine, and meets individual customer wishes even better.
The new compact sportscars absolve the sprint from zero to 100kph in record time: the A 45 S 4MATIC+ requires only 3.9 seconds (CLA 45 S 4MATIC+: 4.0 seconds), while the basic A 45 4MATIC+ model absolves this discipline in 4.0 seconds (CLA 45 4 MATIC+ in 4.1 seconds).
Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+.
The top speed of the basic models is electronically limited to 250kph, while the S-models are capable of up to 270kph.
The 8-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8G dual-clutch transmission likewise contributes to the agile and dynamic character.
The gear ratios have been configured so that the driver experiences very spontaneous acceleration in all speed ranges, combined with fast shifting and optimum connections when shifting up.
Depending on the selected AMG DYNAMIC SELECT driving mode, the driver receives a specific drive configuration with different accelerator and gearshift characteristics.
The A 45 S 4MATIC+.
With its sporty appointments and the MBUX infotainment system, the high-quality interior creates a close, personal connection between man and machine.
The driver and front passenger are seated in an active position on contoured sport seats with firm lateral support.
The standard upholstery as a combination of black ARTICO man-made leather and DINAMICA microfibre is timeless, and creates typical AMG highlights with double topstitching in red. The colour scheme is echoed by the red designo seat belts and the dashboard support trim in black DINAMICA microfibre with a red border.
The CLA 45 S 4MATIC+.
The A 45 S and CLA 45 S even go a step further: yellow highlights reoccur throughout the interior to emphasise the motor racing character of the more powerful models.
Also included in the standard equipment are the AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa leather/DINAMICA microfibre with contrasting yellow topstitching, a yellow 12 o’clock marking, AMG steering wheel buttons and AMG logo, plus ambience lighting.
The CLA 45 S 4MATIC+.
Keyword: Mercedes-AMG steps up A 45 and CLA 45 sportiness