Tag Archives: Mercedes-AMG

NEW CARS

2027 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 EV First Look: The Compact AMG That Thinks It’s a Supercar

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If there was any doubt that Mercedes-AMG intended to make the electric era every bit as outrageous as its turbocharged past, the new CLA 45 4MATIC+ just erased it.

Forget everything you know about compact performance cars. The latest AMG doesn’t merely replace a gasoline engine with batteries—it completely rewrites the formula. With an astonishing 680 horsepower, a claimed 0–62 mph (100 km/h) time of just 2.7 seconds, and a trio of cutting-edge axial-flux electric motors, the CLA 45 arrives with performance figures that would embarrass yesterday’s exotic machinery. And somehow, Mercedes-AMG insists it’s still practical enough to be your daily driver.

That’s a bold claim. Judging by the hardware, it may not be far from the truth.

Three Motors, One Mission

The headline numbers are impressive enough: 500 kW (680 hp), fully variable all-wheel drive, and acceleration that places the compact CLA firmly in Porsche 911 Turbo territory.

The real story, however, lies beneath the sheet metal.

Instead of relying on conventional radial electric motors, AMG equips the CLA 45 with three axial-flux motors—one driving the front axle and two independently powering the rear wheels. These compact motors debuted in the flagship AMG GT electric four-door, but bringing them into the CLA represents a significant democratization of AMG’s newest technology.

Axial-flux motors differ from conventional EV motors by arranging the magnetic field parallel to the motor shaft rather than perpendicular to it. The result is dramatically higher power density in a much smaller package. The front motor measures just nine centimeters thick, while each rear motor is only about eight centimeters wide.

Those dimensions might sound trivial, but they allow AMG engineers to package supercar performance into a compact sports sedan—and wagon—without sacrificing interior space.

More importantly, having three independently controlled motors gives the CLA abilities that conventional all-wheel-drive systems simply can’t replicate.

Torque Vectoring Goes Fully Electric

Traditional performance cars shuffle torque using clutches and differentials.

The CLA 45 barely needs either.

Each rear wheel receives power from its own dedicated motor, allowing torque vectoring to happen instantaneously and with remarkable precision. The front motor seamlessly joins the party whenever additional traction—or efficiency—is required, disconnecting entirely during low-load cruising to reduce energy losses.

The result is what AMG calls a fully variable Performance 4MATIC+ system, capable of shifting from rear-wheel drive to all-wheel drive almost imperceptibly.

If the technology works as advertised, this could become one of the sharpest-handling electric performance cars yet built.

A Chassis Designed to Keep Up

Delivering nearly 700 horsepower is one thing.

Making it enjoyable is something else entirely.

AMG has developed a dedicated RIDE CONTROL suspension featuring forged aluminum components, adaptive three-way dampers, a three-link front suspension, and a multi-link rear arrangement usually reserved for larger luxury cars.

Drivers can choose between Comfort, Sport, AMGFORCE S+, Slippery, ECO, Individual, and—if equipped with the AMG Dynamic Plus Package—the no-compromise RACE mode.

Unlike many performance EVs that simply deliver brutal acceleration, AMG appears determined to make this one feel alive through corners as well.

Fake Engine? Surprisingly Convincing.

Here’s where things get controversial.

AMG knows many enthusiasts still associate performance with sound, vibration, and gear changes. Rather than ignoring those expectations, the company leaned into them.

The new AMGFORCE S+ mode recreates the soundtrack of the legendary AMG turbocharged four-cylinder using recordings from an A 45 S. Engineers reportedly captured more than 1,600 audio samples using 13 microphones before digitally reconstructing the engine’s personality.

But the illusion doesn’t stop at sound.

Artificial gear changes interrupt power delivery. Seat-mounted transducers simulate engine vibration. The digital instrument cluster displays a tachometer and gear indicator. Steering-wheel paddles trigger simulated shifts complete with torque interruption.

Purists will undoubtedly roll their eyes.

Others may appreciate that AMG is trying to inject personality into an experience that many high-performance EVs still struggle to deliver.

Fast on the Road—Fast at the Charger

Performance means little if the battery can’t keep up.

The CLA 45 packs a substantial 94-kWh usable battery operating on an 800-volt electrical architecture. Charging peaks at an impressive 330 kW, allowing a 10-to-80-percent recharge in approximately 22 minutes.

Even more impressive is the claim that just ten minutes plugged into a high-speed charger adds over 270 kilometers (168 miles) of driving range.

Official figures estimate more than 670 kilometers (416 miles) of range for the sedan and 640 kilometers (398 miles) for the Shooting Brake, making this one of the longest-legged high-performance EVs currently announced.

Helping achieve those numbers is an advanced thermal management system, silicon-oxide battery chemistry, a multi-source heat pump, and active aerodynamic elements that continuously optimize drag and cooling.

Active Aero Isn’t Just for Supercars Anymore

The CLA 45 introduces something previously unseen in its class: active rear aerodynamic devices.

The sedan receives a deployable rear spoiler, while the Shooting Brake features an active roof spoiler. Combined with adaptive front radiator shutters, the system balances downforce, efficiency, and stability depending on speed and selected drive mode.

In ECO mode, everything stays tucked away as long as possible.

Select AMGFORCE S+ or RACE, and the aero immediately prepares for maximum performance.

It’s functional engineering rather than decorative styling—a welcome trend in an era where many performance cars rely on oversized wings that accomplish little beyond attracting attention.

Track Day Included

AMG hasn’t forgotten the Nürburgring crowd.

The optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package unlocks TRACK PACE, effectively transforming the CLA into a rolling data acquisition system.

Telemetry records more than 80 parameters ten times every second. Augmented reality overlays ideal racing lines. The head-up display indicates braking points, while Predictive Performance Manager intelligently adjusts power delivery around the circuit to maximize lap times instead of simply unleashing full power everywhere.

For serious drivers, it’s as close as you can get to having an engineer riding shotgun.

The Familiar AMG Look Evolves

Visually, the CLA 45 walks a careful line between tradition and electrification.

The Panamericana grille remains, flanked by muscular wheel arches, aggressive splitters, flush-fitting 19-inch wheels (or optional 20s), and a diffuser featuring six pronounced fins.

Unlike some EVs that attempt to hide their performance credentials behind smooth bodywork, the CLA embraces its AMG identity.

The Shooting Brake, arguably the prettier of the two variants, retains its long roofline while integrating active aerodynamic elements almost invisibly.

Inside, the cabin continues the performance theme with deeply sculpted sports seats, AMG steering wheels, aluminum trim, and the latest generation of Mercedes’ MB.OS infotainment system.

Artificial intelligence from ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Bing is integrated into the new MBUX Virtual Assistant, making the CLA one of the first performance cars to blend cutting-edge AI with dedicated track-focused software.

The new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ doesn’t simply represent another fast electric sedan.

It represents AMG’s most ambitious attempt yet to prove that electrification doesn’t have to come at the expense of excitement.

Yes, simulated engine sounds and virtual gearshifts will divide opinion. But they’re only one small part of an extraordinarily sophisticated package built around genuinely innovative hardware. Three axial-flux motors, torque-vectoring unlike anything else in the segment, adaptive aerodynamics, rapid charging, and over 400 miles of range suggest this isn’t an EV trying to imitate a performance car—it is a performance car, just with a different heartbeat.

Whether enthusiasts ultimately embrace the digital theatrics remains to be seen.

One thing is already clear: if Mercedes-AMG wanted to build the quickest, most technologically advanced compact performance car it has ever produced, the CLA 45 4MATIC+ looks more than capable of delivering on that promise.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

NEW CARS

New Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S and GLS 63 Debut with M177 EVO Power

Just when it seemed every performance SUV was heading toward downsized engines and increasingly electrified futures, Mercedes-AMG has delivered a reminder that some traditions are worth fighting for.

Meet the heavily revised GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ and GLS 63 4MATIC+, two familiar high-performance SUVs that arrive carrying something increasingly rare in today’s automotive landscape: a hand-built AMG V8. More importantly, that V8 isn’t merely surviving—it has been extensively reengineered to ensure it remains part of AMG’s future.

At the center of both SUVs sits the latest evolution of AMG’s legendary M177 engine, a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 now known internally as the M177 EVO. While output remains unchanged at 612 horsepower and 627 pound-feet (850 Nm) of torque, AMG engineers have performed a comprehensive overhaul beneath the aluminum skin.

The headline change is a new flat-plane crankshaft, a feature more commonly associated with exotic sports cars than luxury SUVs weighing well over two tons. The switch reduces rotating mass, sharpens throttle response, and allows the engine to spin more freely toward redline. AMG says the result is a more eager and responsive character while simultaneously helping the powertrain meet increasingly stringent emissions regulations around the globe.

That balancing act—preserving personality while satisfying regulators—has become one of the industry’s greatest engineering challenges. AMG’s answer includes revised intake and exhaust ports, an updated fuel-injection system, redesigned turbocharger components, and a significantly upgraded emissions-control package that now includes a particulate filter as standard worldwide.

The V8 is no longer working alone, either.

A 48-volt electrical architecture and second-generation integrated starter-generator contribute an additional 23 horsepower and 151 pound-feet (205 Nm) of temporary assistance. The mild-hybrid setup smooths stop-start operation, improves low-end response, and recovers energy during deceleration without diluting the combustion engine’s character.

And yes, performance remains suitably outrageous.

Mercedes-AMG claims the GLE 63 S reaches 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.9 seconds, while the larger GLS 63 follows closely behind at 4.2 seconds. Both are capable of a 174-mph (280-km/h) top speed.

For many AMG loyalists, however, the numbers are only half the story.

The soundtrack matters just as much.

To that end, AMG has developed an entirely new Performance Exhaust system complete with active valves. In Comfort mode, the V8 settles into a subdued rumble appropriate for school runs and highway cruising. Select Sport+ and the system unleashes the deeper, more aggressive voice buyers expect from an AMG flagship.

Visually, Mercedes has given both SUVs a stronger performance identity. A redesigned front fascia features a more prominent Panamericana-style grille, larger cooling intakes, and new AMG-specific lighting signatures. Around back, quad exhaust outlets and an aggressive diffuser leave little doubt about what powers these machines.

The hardware beneath the bodywork receives equally significant attention.

AMG Ride Control+ combines air suspension with adaptive dampers and can alter its personality dramatically depending on driver preference. The system lowers the vehicle by 10 millimeters during spirited driving to improve aerodynamics and stability, yet can also raise ride height for rough roads or light off-road excursions.

For drivers who somehow find themselves tackling trails in a 612-hp luxury SUV, a dedicated Trail mode increases ground clearance by up to 55 millimeters while recalibrating the suspension, all-wheel-drive system, and damping characteristics.

Body control is managed by AMG Active Ride Control, which uses electromechanical anti-roll bars on both axles. Sensors monitor vehicle movements up to 1,000 times per second, actively counteracting body roll and helping these large SUVs corner with surprising composure.

The permanent AMG Performance 4MATIC+ system remains fully variable, capable of distributing torque precisely where it’s needed. Working alongside an electronically controlled rear differential, the setup promises sharper turn-in, improved traction, and greater stability whether carving through mountain roads or navigating snow-covered highways.

Inside, the formula blends performance and luxury in typical AMG fashion.

Drivers are greeted by the latest AMG Performance steering wheel, available in Nappa leather, microfiber-trimmed MICROCUT, or carbon-fiber finishes. Premium leather upholstery options span everything from understated black to vibrant MANUFAKTUR shades such as yacht blue and carmine red, while carbon trim and microfiber headliners reinforce the sporting atmosphere.

Technology also takes a step forward thanks to Mercedes-Benz’s new MB.OS operating system. High-resolution displays provide AMG-specific performance data, including real-time torque distribution, G-force measurements, and detailed engine telemetry, transforming the digital cockpit into a rolling performance command center.

Perhaps the most telling aspect of these updated SUVs isn’t any single specification, however. It’s the philosophy they represent.

In an era when performance increasingly arrives through batteries, software, and synthetic soundtracks, Mercedes-AMG has chosen to invest heavily in preserving one of its defining characteristics: a powerful twin-turbocharged V8.

The GLE 63 S and GLS 63 may be luxury family haulers on paper, but their existence sends a broader message. AMG believes there is still room in the future for eight cylinders, real exhaust notes, and the kind of mechanical drama that helped build the brand’s reputation in the first place.

For enthusiasts, that’s probably the most important number of all.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Auctions

This Rare AMG Wide-Body Coupe Just Sold for $251,000—and It Proves Not Every AMG Legend Needed a V8

When enthusiasts talk about pre-merger AMG, the conversation usually begins—and ends—with the Hammer. The wide-fendered super sedan became an icon by stuffing a massive V8 into an unsuspecting Mercedes and embarrassing exotic cars in the process. But every now and then, a lesser-known creation emerges to remind us that Affalterbach’s magic wasn’t measured solely in cylinder count.

Case in point: this 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300 CE-24 AMG 3.4, one of just 25 examples converted by AMG when new. Recently crossing the auction block for an impressive $251,000, it stands as a rolling reminder of a time when AMG was still a renegade tuner building bespoke machines for customers who wanted something far more exclusive than anything available from a Mercedes showroom.

The recipe started with the elegant C124-generation 300 CE-24 coupe, already one of the most handsome Mercedes designs of its era. From there, AMG worked its usual black magic. The naturally aspirated M104 inline-six was enlarged from 3.0 to 3.4 liters, while a set of AMG camshafts helped increase output to a claimed 272 horsepower. That may not sound outrageous today, but in the early 1990s it represented a substantial jump over the standard car’s roughly 220 horsepower and transformed the coupe into a genuinely quick grand tourer.

Visually, the upgrades are impossible to miss. Finished in Blue-Black Metallic, the coupe wears the full AMG treatment: dramatically widened fenders, deeper side skirts, front and rear spoilers, and a set of classic three-piece AMG wheels that perfectly capture the era. The result is equal parts luxury coupe and street-fighting bruiser—a machine that looks like it belongs in a late-night Tokyo crime thriller. Fittingly, this particular example spent much of its life in Japan after receiving its AMG conversion.

Open the door and the period-correct atmosphere continues. Heated Recaro Classic sport seats, AMG instrumentation, rich wood trim, and a Technics cassette player transport occupants straight back to the golden age of German tuner cars. In an era when many classic performance cars are modernized beyond recognition, this AMG remains refreshingly authentic.

Its condition is no accident. Prior to the sale, the previous owner reportedly invested heavily in mechanical refurbishment. The engine was removed and serviced, seals and gaskets were renewed, numerous wear items were replaced, and the transmission received its own refresh. A set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires completes the package, ensuring the upgraded straight-six can deliver its power with confidence.

Of course, perspective matters. As special as this AMG coupe is, it occupies a different tier from the mythical Hammer models powered by AMG’s thunderous 6.0-liter V8. Those cars remain the crown jewels of the pre-merger AMG world, and their values reflect that reality. One example changed hands for an astonishing $885,000 in 2023.

Yet that comparison almost misses the point. The appeal of this 300 CE-24 AMG 3.4 isn’t that it’s a bargain Hammer. It’s that it represents a different side of AMG’s history—one built on engineering finesse rather than brute force. Before AMG became a global performance brand, it was a small company creating highly personalized machines for a select group of enthusiasts. Cars like this are increasingly rare survivors from that era.

And at a quarter-million dollars, collectors are clearly starting to notice.

Source: Bring a Trailer