The compact premium and performance car segment in South Africa is no longer just about everyday usability; it’s about high-performance engineering, aggressive aesthetics and driver engagement.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Phenomenal 310 kW four-cylinder powerplant
Highly exclusive aesthetic with only 15 units locally available
Engaging and highly adjustable 4Matic+ system
Bespoke cabin
Cons
At R1.7-million, it's certainly not cheap
Distinctive styling and yellow accents may be too loud for some purists
Stiff competition
Industry context
It is no coincidence that the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S feels so heavily performance-focused. Globally, AMG has pushed the boundaries of what is possible with alternative energy and high-output downsized engines. While other brands have incrementally updated their core platforms, AMG’s engineering division has scaled four-cylinder technology to the point where its engines deliver tuner performance, with a factory warranty. By anchoring this 'Final Edition' model locally, AMG is delivering a swan song to pure, unadulterated internal combustion mastery before electrification fully takes the reins.
The R1.7-million badge dilemma
To understand the value on offer here, you have to look under the skin at AMG’s unique engineering superpower: the ‘one man, one engine’ philosophy. Unlike mass-manufactured power plants, each compact engine in the CLA 45 S is completely assembled by a single technician on a state-of-the-art production line at the Affalterbach engine factory. This painstaking quality control and hand-built pedigree are exactly how AMG manages to reliably extract an unprecedented amount of power from a 2.0-litre engine.
However, despite building an objectively hyper-capable product, crossing the R1.7-million threshold moves a car completely out of the standard premium commuter category and into the emotional realm of hardcore performance fans. South African buyers spending this kind of money are historically brand-loyal and demand an immense sense of occasion. While AMG has always secured a strong foothold in Mzansi, competing at this price cap means the vehicle must stand out. Thankfully, the rarity of the Final Edition may be in its favour.
Styling
The standard CLA, in my opinion, was a big improvement over its predecessor, making the sloping roofline and sharp four-door coupé profile more attractive. The Final Edition models, however, significantly ramp up the visual drama. All 15 units destined for South African customers are finished in a deep Night Black paint, heavily contrasted by edition-specific decals featuring large “45 S” lettering on the doors and high-vis yellow accents on the side mirrors.
The vehicle rolls on matte-black 19-inch AMG forged wheels with an aggressive cross-spoke design. Peer more closely, and the attention to detail becomes obvious: the wheel hub covers bear the yellow AMG logo combined with heritage laurel-wreath elements. Tying the exterior package together is the standard inclusion of both the AMG Night Package I and II. This sees elements like the mirror housings, window trim strips, radiator grille vertical struts, and exterior badges finished in high-gloss and dark chrome, giving the car a menacing, cohesive look.
The result is a visually striking small performance car that attracted many looks and compliments throughout my weeklong test.
Interior
Step inside the Final Edition, and you are met with an unmistakable design. The focal point remains the deep-bolstered AMG Performance seats, upholstered in a combination of artificial leather and black microfibre.
The focus here is entirely on creating striking, high-contrast visual cues. Bright yellow topstitching runs across the seats, door panelling, and the main instrument dashboard. This racing-derived theme applies directly to the front headrests, which feature embroidered "45 S" labels. To remind occupants of the car's rarity, a bespoke “45 S Final Edition” emblem is neatly integrated into the centre console layout.
The driver-focused elements are exceptional. The AMG Performance steering wheel is wrapped in a high-grip Nappa leather and Microcut microfibre blend, highlighted further by yellow stitching and aluminium trim patterns. Open the doors, and the attention to detail is evident in the black-patterned AMG door-sill panels that brightly illuminate the AMG logo in yellow.
Driving impression
The level of performance these cars deliver still surprises me, despite having driven a few iterations. Under the bonnet sits the most powerful four-cylinder turbocharged engine in series production worldwide, developing an astonishing 310kW and a massive 500Nm of torque. Technically, the M139I version of this engine in the C63 S E Performance is more powerful at 350kW, but since it's part of a hybrid system, the pure internal combustion version in the CLA remains the title holder.
Power delivery is managed by an 8-speed AMG Speedshift DCT-8G dual-clutch gearbox that cracks out incredibly fast gear changes. From a standstill, the CLA 45 S sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds, and goes all the way to an electronically limited top speed of 270 km/h. According to our Dragy performance monitor, the car sprinted from 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds and ran the quarter-mile in 12.3 seconds. The car features AMG's Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system. Incorporating AMG Torque Control, the system actively distributes power to the rear axle on a wheel-by-wheel basis. This endows the car with phenomenal traction and drivability, while the Drift Mode allows for some opposite-lock action. The steering is sharp, and the handling is very impressive, with high grip in low-, medium-, and high-speed corners.
I drove this very car at the Simola Hill Climb very briefly earlier this year, and despite the fact that most of my weekend was spent with its big brother, the C63, the encounter with the CLA revealed a car that felt considerably smaller, lighter and more playful, which is what you want from your more compact AMGs.
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Pricing
Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ Final Edition: R1 721 234
The price includes VAT and a 5-Year / 100 000 km Maintenance Plan.
Rival comparison
| Model | Price | Power / Torque | 0-100 km/h | Maintenance plan |
| Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S Final Edition | R1 721 234 | 310kW / 500Nm | 4.1s | 5-yr /100 000km |
| BMW M2 Coupe M Steptronic | R1 505 988 | 338kW / 550Nm | 4.1s | 5-yr /100 000km |
| Audi RS 3 Sedan quattro | R1 303 300 | 294kW / 500Nm | 3.8s | 5-yr /100 000km |
Verdict
The CLA 45 S showcases how far pure internal-combustion four-cylinder technology has come. It successfully blends a breathtaking real-world performance with eye-catching looks and handling that make this a very, very fast car, regardless of which segment you're judging it against. While the emotional hurdle of spending over R1.7-million on this Final Edition is very real, there are rather few of them, so for the right person, this may make sense. I genuinely enjoyed my time with the car, finding it easy to live with, relatively practical, attention-grabbing, and most importantly, special to drive when the mood strikes. The AMG's biggest problem is that both the BMW M2 and Audi RS3 are phenomenal vehicles in their own right.
