2019 Mercedes-AMG A 45 and CLA 45 break cover, get most powerful production 2.0-litre motor ever
Mercedes-AMG has unveiled its two newest models, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 and its four-door coupe twin, the CLA 45. These are two of the most awaited models from the performance house given their lower entry point and compact sizes. Like other AMGs, these come with the 4Matic AWD system and more powerful S versions.
The looks of the A 45 and CLA 45 have significant changes when seen alongside their regular versions. This starts with the wide new grille with its 12 vertical chrome slats and goes on to the new twin-domed bonnet. The front fascia is wider now thanks to the flared wheel arches, which also house the wider axle. This is more evident in the A 45 given that the CLA was wider, to begin with. More assertive bits are the new front apron with the fins and the wider front air inlets. There are functional front splitter and air curtains too. The sides get new skirts while the rear gets a unique spoiler for each model, a spoiler, either on the roof or bootlid, depending on the model. There are two twin tailpipes (larger on the S models) and a wider rear bumper. The standard wheel size is 18 inches but 19 inchers are available optionally.
An AMG Aerodynamic package is available optionally to improve downforce. This adds a modified front splitter and additional flics on the front apron, an additional diffuser blade, side spoiler lips on the rear apron and rear spoiler (A 45) or larger spoiler lip (CLA 45) in high-gloss black. A Night package adds more gloss black detailing while a chrome treatment is also available.
The interiors have also been tinkered with by AMG. Contoured sport seats have been added as well as materials like black leather and microfibre elements. There are red accents throughout. The A 45 S and CLA 45 S models get special yellow elements and an AMG steering wheel. The MBUX infotainment gets new graphics and additional driving data like a lap timer, G-meter and so on.
Expectedly, the biggest changes are under the hood. These are now the most powerful 4-cylinder engines in the world and will be handbuilt at its Affalterbach facility. The engine will be available in two outputs. The standard version will make 387PS at 6,500rpm and 480Nm at 4,750-5,000rpm. The S version will put out 421PS at 6,750rpm and 500Nm at 5,000-5,250rpm. For all the details on how Mercedes-AMG managed this, click here. This is paired with a AMG torque control in the new rear axle differential, which also allows torque to be split left and right, and not just axle wise. The brakes, suspension and dampers have all been tweaked by AMG, as have the steering and exhausts. The 8-speed DCT is now the AMG Speedshift unit. The A 45 gets from 0-100kmph in 4.0s and tops out at 250kmph. The S version drops the acceleration figure to 3.9s and increases top speed to 270kmph. For the CLA 45 and the CLA 45 S, the acceleration times drop by 0.1s but top speeds remain unchanged.
All of these changes have made the new A 45 and CLA 45 a true blue small AMG, with a big chunk of the tech you would expect in larger AMG cars in a smaller, possibly more usable package.