Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

Images are used for illustrative purposes only. Finance offer based on a Mercedes-Benz Agility agreement. 10,000 miles per annum, excess mileage charged at 14.4ppm. Vehicle condition, excess mileage and other charges may be payable. Guarantees may be required. Payable if you exercise the option to purchase the car. Includes optional purchase payment, purchase activation fee and retailer deposit contribution (where applicable). Orders/credit approvals on AMG CLA 45 4MATIC Coupe models between 1 January and 31st March 2018, registered by 30th June 2019 excluding non AMG models. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Some combinations of features/options may not be available. Please contact your Retailer for availability. 193-139 g/km.. The indicated values were determined according to the prescribed measurement method - Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). Figures shown may include options which are not available in the UK. CO2 figures have been converted into NEDC-equivalent values for use with the current VED and BIK tax legislation. Sytner Limited holds FCA interim permissions for consumer credit brokerage and are not the lender. Details of this and our trading names can be checked via the FCA consumer credit register. All finance is subject to status and available to over 18s in the UK only (excluding the Channel Islands). Guarantees and indemnities may be required. We are not an independent financial advisor. We can introduce you to a limited number of lenders to assist your purchase, who may pay us for introducing you to them. We can arrange finance for you.

Traditionally, mention of a Mercedes-Benz AMG evokes images of big burly V8 or V12 engines that snarl, bark and generally terrify sensible mortals. Six-figure price tags are also readily associated with this performance arm of the Mercedes empire. The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG bucks that trend, though, with a relatively fuel-efficient 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a price that doesn't eclipse most mortgages. Needless to say, those who worship at the altar of performance were skeptical. Is it deserving of the AMG badge? These questions are easily answered with an affirming yes, but there's more to the CLA45 AMG that could give interested parties reason to look twice. Based on the entry-level Mercedes CLA250, the CLA45 AMG starts from rather humble beginnings, at least by Benz standards. But the numerous revisions to the driveline and chassis really put it in a different category. AMG didn't just slap a bigger turbocharger on the existing engine. Instead, almost everything related to making power has been revamped to handle the increased stresses.

The result is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces an impressive 355 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. That makes it the most powerful four-cylinder engine offered in a production vehicle. By comparison, the CLA250 makes 208 hp and 258 lb-ft. With a seven-speed automated dual-clutch transmission sending power to all four wheels, this baby AMG turns in some impressive numbers. In Edmunds testing, the CLA45 AMG reached 60 mph in only 4.7 seconds (4.3 seconds with a foot of rollout as on a drag strip) on its way to a quarter-mile time of 12.8 seconds at 108 mph. The brakes also proved up to the task by bringing it to a halt from 60 mph in a short 111 feet. No matter how you measure it, fast isn't a problem. Those remarkable track results translate to a very entertaining street weapon with which to tame the most challenging of mountain roads. After only a few turns, we felt instantly at ease tossing the small sedan into the curves. The steering is appropriately weighted and the suspension keeps all four tires firmly stuck to the asphalt.

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG feels light on its feet, tiptoeing between left and right switchbacks with precision, and there's a high level of confidence that it will respond in lockstep with your intentions. And it does. There's no need to analyze what it's doing or might do; it simply executes and thrills. Information coming from the steering wheel is sparse, but it's actually not a problem. You can apply much more throttle than you'd expect coming out of turns, as the summer tires and all-wheel-drive system seem to draw from an endless well of adhesion. Even midcorner bumps are shrugged off with barely an acknowledgement. First and second gear are fairly short, and the free-revving engine sends the tachometer needle to redline quickly, but we were largely able to avoid the rev limiter. Manual upshifts produce gearchanges as seamless as a perfect baton pass in a relay race. Downshifts were also smooth, with perfect rev matches commanded from the wheel-mounted paddles.

Turbo lag is never a problem either, as there's an abundance of boost low in the rev range. Missing is the characteristic AMG growl. In its place is a gruff four-cylinder note that reminds us of a Subaru STI. It's not all that inspiring, but in Sport mode there's a muted puff and pop from the exhaust that's more in line with other AMG products. And, yes, the CLA45 AMG is fun. It's as rewarding and lively as the SLK55 AMG roadster. But there's more to this story than just having fun and going fast. If you're so lucky to live on a racetrack or a serpentine road like L.A.'s famous Mulholland Highway, the CLA45 AMG would indeed be a wonderful choice. But as an urban daily commuter, some will find the aggressive tuning of the CLA45's transmission, brakes and suspension to be a problem. An issue with the sedan's dual-clutch transmission is that it's slow to engage from a stop and makes smooth getaways difficult.