Automotive
Mercedes-AMG is taking the CLA 45 into a completely new performance era with the new CLA 45 4MATIC+, an all-electric compact performance machine that brings numbers once reserved for far more exotic cars. With three axial flux motors producing a peak output of 500 kW, or 680 horsepower, the new AMG CLA 45 can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds with a one-foot rollout. That puts this small AMG into serious supercar territory, while still keeping the sleek four-door personality that has long made the CLA such a stylish entry point into the brand.
The hardware behind the performance is especially interesting. Mercedes-AMG uses two axial flux motors at the rear axle and one at the front, giving the CLA 45 4MATIC+ a fully variable all-wheel-drive system with precise torque control. Axial flux motors are more compact than traditional radial flux units, and in this case, the front motor is only about nine centimeters wide while the rear motors are roughly eight centimeters each. The setup allows Mercedes-AMG to deliver huge output from a compact package while keeping the car responsive and repeatable under hard use.
Power comes from a 94-kWh usable battery pack running on an 800-volt architecture, giving the AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ both strong performance and impressive long-distance capability. Mercedes-AMG estimates more than 670 kilometers of WLTP range for the saloon and more than 640 kilometers for the Shooting Brake, though final certified numbers are still pending. DC fast charging peaks at 330 kW, allowing a 10% to 80% charge in about 22 minutes. Mercedes also says roughly 270 kilometers of range can be added in just 10 minutes under ideal conditions.
AMG has also worked hard to make sure this does not feel like a regular EV with a big power number. The AMG Performance 4MATIC+ system can vary torque between the axles and between the rear wheels, helping the car rotate and dig out of corners with the kind of precision expected from Affalterbach. AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive three-way damping gives drivers Comfort, Sport, and AMGFORCE S+ settings, while the available AMG Dynamic Plus package adds a Race mode and AMG Track Pace for circuit driving and telemetry analysis.
The most theatrical part may be AMGFORCE S+, a drive mode designed to bring combustion-engine emotion into the electric era. Instead of leaning into silence, Mercedes-AMG studied the sound of an AMG A 45 S four-cylinder under load and used more than 1,600 recordings to create an immersive sound experience. The system also adds simulated gear changes, haptic seat vibrations, and visual cues in the display, giving the driver a more physical sense of speed and mechanical drama than many EVs provide.
Aerodynamics play a major role too. The CLA 45 4MATIC+ gets an active rear spoiler on the saloon and an active roof-edge spoiler on the Shooting Brake, both designed to improve stability, efficiency, and high-speed confidence. Active radiator fins at the front help reduce drag and can remain closed at high speeds when cooling demand allows. The design itself is unmistakably AMG, with a Panamericana-style grille, widened front fenders, a low greenhouse, aggressive side skirts, a diffuser-style rear treatment, and available 20-inch wheels.
Inside, Mercedes-AMG gives the CLA 45 a focused four-seat cabin with sport seats, AMG-specific trim, available Performance seats, seat shakers, and the latest MBUX system running on MB.OS. The infotainment setup integrates AI assistance from ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini, while dedicated AMG apps show performance data, energy flow, tire information, setup controls, and track tools. Put it all together and the new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ looks like much more than an electric replacement for the old turbocharged CLA 45. It is AMG trying to prove that compact electric performance can still feel emotional, technical, and genuinely exciting.
Mike Floyd is a finance executive by trade and a car enthusiast at heart. As a CFO with a keen eye for detail and strategy, Mike brings his analytical mindset to the automotive world, uncovering fresh insights and unique perspectives that go beyond the surface. His passion for cars—especially his favorite, the Porsche 911, fuels his contributions to Automotive Addicts, where he blends a love for performance and design with his professional precision. Whether he’s breaking down industry trends or spotlighting emerging innovations, Mike helps keep the site both sharp and forward-thinking.
