There has been a new spirit of engineering excellence at Mercedes-AMG, since the appointment of Tobias Moers as CEO in 2013. According to insiders, Moers spends two days of each week driving AMG-developed cars to get “acquainted with how the cars handle, how they feel, how they sound.” Mercedes-AMG cars were always fast, but now, increasingly, they have the dynamics to back up all that speed!
The fruits of Moers’ direction is only now being fully felt, as the company's cars now respond the way true enthusiasts expect them to respond. Once upon a time, AMG products were seen as hairy-chested “dragsters” with little in the way of cornering, steering, braking and ride-comfort to support all that power. That is clearly no longer the case, as became evident in our recent review of the Mercedes-AMG E53.
Related: Mercedes-AMG E53 Coupé review: Do you really need that V8?
The all-new Mercedes-AMG CLA
In mid-2019, the all-new Mercedes-AMG CLA models were introduced to the local market, and they are different animals indeed compared to what came before. An intense amount of development has been done on chassis rigidity, ride compliance and engine character (particularly on the top A45 models), demonstrating the result of Moers’ understanding about what makes a real petrol-head tick.
The Mercedes-AMG CLA range in South Africa
The new AMG-developed CLAs were only launched globally in mid-2019 and, happily, they were available in South Africa virtually from the get-go. Mercedes-AMG has very impressive market penetration in South Africa, and it is gratifying to know that local enthusiasts don’t have lengthy waiting periods to experience the latest products from this increasingly impressive performance-car purveyor.
Interestingly, Mercedes-Benz South Africa chose to market just two trim variants of the latest AMG-fettled CLA here. These are the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4Matic and the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S 4Matic.
The CLA 45 S 4Matic
This model is the ultimate Mercedes-AMG four-cylnder car right now (along with its A 45 S hatchback stablemate). The CLA is a sleek sedan with four-door-coupe-like styling, and the new profile of the CLA is far more successful than before, banishing the previous model's rather “sagging” rear end look. The new car is very well-realised stylistically, with excellent proportions. The AMG visual bits just make it even better!
The CLA 45 S 4Matic is very special indeed. The engine used in this car is all-new, and radically different to the one used in the less-powerful CLA 35 4Matic. The 45 S also has six-piston brake calipers, an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox and an electronically-controlled rear limited slip differential, with separate clutches modulating the power sent to each rear wheel.
New CLA 45 S engine
The engine in the 45 S is dimensionally similar to the power-plant used in the 35 model. Both have a capacity of 1991cc and both are of in-line four-cylinder configuration, but the engine in the A45 has been totally reconfigured (compared to the CLA 35 unit). It is effectively rotated by 180 degrees in the vertical plain, which means that the induction side of the cylinder head faces frontwards, while the turbocharger and exhaust system is located at the rear of the (transversely-mounted) engine on the bulkhead side. This has resulted in massively improved engine breathing for the CLA 45 engine, as all the intake ducting and exhaust plumbing has been optimised.
The 45 S motor now develops a maximum of 310 kW and 500 Nm of torque — stunning figures for a 2.0-litre four-cylinder production engine. But, more importantly, this new engine is capable of revving to 7 200 rpm, and its torque curve has been altered dramatically. The torque peak now occurs between 5 000 to 5 250 rpm, which has resulted in a turbo engine that has the free-revving characteristics of a naturally-aspirated engine.
This new engine characteristic is a major fix for one of the drawbacks of the previous-generation AMG 45 model, which made massive low-end and mid-range torque, but lacked charisma because the engine effectively “died” at a lowly 6 000 rpm. It also had a very gruff and uninspiring engine note — no wonder AMG tried to distract us with those pops and bangs out of its exhaust!
In terms of bald performance figures, all of this AMG development means a 0-100 km/h time of 4,0 seconds and a top speed of 270 km/h for the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S. That is seriously heady performance for one of the least-expensive AMG models.
The CLA 35 engine
The engine fitted to the CLA is an AMG development of the new-generation "M260" four-cylinder engine used in more conservative versions of the new A-Class and CLA. It uses a twin-scroll turbocharger with parallel ducting to ensure smooth and unrestrictive turbo activation, and also features special cylinder honing techniques for very low friction characteristics. With maximum power of 225 kW and 400 Nm, the engine is no slouch, as is evidenced by the CLA 35’s 0-100 km/h time of 4,9 seconds and top speed of 250 km/h.
The CLA35 4Matic uses a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox, and has a less-sophisticated rear axle than the one fitted to the 45, losing out on the fancy e-differential. Braking on this AMG entry-model is via four-piston brake calipers up front.
Interiors
Both the CLA35 and CLA45 S feature extremely modern and sporty interiors, as befits AMG's range-topping variants. They offer the latest MBUX Mercedes infotainment systems and, fittingly, data logging with AMG Track Pace, that allows owners to record their lap times at track days and improve on their driving technique. It goes without saying that both models feature AMG-specific steering wheels, pedal sets and sports seats.
Related: Our review of the latest Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 discovered a stylish, polished conveyance.
Exteriors
Looks-wise, the CLA35 and CLA45 models are mainly differentiated by their grilles. The CLA35 features a grille with two horizontal grille bars flanking the three-pointed star, while the CLA45 features a variation of the classic Panamericana grille with vertical grille slats, as first used in the 1950s on the famous gullwing SLR race cars. The CLA35 features 18-inch rims, while the CLA45 S rolls on 19-inch rims with 235/25 R19 rubber. The 45 S model is further distinguished by its red-painted, six-pot front brake calipers.
So which trim is the winner?
There is no doubt in our minds that the CLA 45 S model is the one to go for. Granted, the difference in pricing between the two cars is significant, with the CLA 35 selling for R856 146 and the CLA 45 S selling for R1 094 129 (before options). However, in this class of car, the extra hardware you get with the CLA 45 S more than justifies the price increase, and it should be borne in mind that luxury-car buyers often spend upwards of R200 000 just on cosmetic optional extras.
With the CLA 45 S, you get a powertrain that is going to be perceived as ground-breaking in terms of AMG heritage, an engine where the driver’s communication with his car’s engine is just as important as sheer horsepower numbers. You only have to look at Porsche to realise they have mastered the value of this type of man-machine communication more than half a century ago. It is inspiring to realise that the AMG division of Mercedes-Benz is under such good stewardship, and that the cars now cater to enthusiasts who appreciate subtlety and a well-rounded package just as much as brute performance.
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