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2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ ready for orders

Mercedes-AMG has opened orders for the all-new CLA 45 4MATIC+, bringing a new level of electric performance to the compact performance-car segment. With 680 horsepower, three axial-flux electric motors, an 800-volt electrical architecture and a claimed 0-100 km/h time of just 2.7 seconds, the new CLA 45 4MATIC+ is designed to combine supercar-like acceleration with the everyday usability of a premium compact sedan.

The latest AMG model also recently established a segment record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, underlining Mercedes-AMG’s focus on combining outright electric power with sophisticated chassis and aerodynamic technology.

At the heart of the new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ is a three-motor electric powertrain producing a system output of 500 kW, equivalent to 680 hp. Mercedes-AMG quotes maximum system torque of 1,759 Nm, while the independent electric motors give the all-wheel-drive system a level of torque-control flexibility that would be difficult to achieve with a conventional mechanical drivetrain.

The CLA 45 4MATIC+ is available to order through Mercedes-Benz sales partners and online.

Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ combines 680 hp with three electric motors

The headline figures immediately establish the CLA 45 4MATIC+ as one of the most powerful compact performance EVs on the market.

Its powertrain uses three completely independent axial-flux electric motors. Unlike conventional radial-flux motors, axial-flux technology can deliver exceptionally high power density while maintaining a compact and lightweight design.

The three-motor arrangement is particularly important because it allows Mercedes-AMG to control the distribution of electric torque with considerable precision.

Torque can be varied between the front and rear axles, while the two rear motors can independently distribute torque between the left and right rear wheels. This creates what AMG calls a fully variable Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system.

The result is not simply more traction. The system is designed to actively influence the car’s handling characteristics depending on driving conditions, throttle input and the selected drive mode.

0-100 km/h in 2.7 seconds

With 500 kW and all-wheel drive, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 2.7 seconds.

That figure puts the compact AMG in territory traditionally occupied by much larger and significantly more expensive performance cars.

The instant torque delivery of electric motors is only part of the equation. The three-motor architecture allows the CLA 45 to continuously optimize torque distribution, helping maximize traction during hard acceleration and allowing the car to remain composed when the driver pushes beyond straight-line performance.

For AMG, however, acceleration is only one part of the equation. The CLA 45 4MATIC+ has been engineered around the goal of delivering genuine driver involvement rather than simply impressive acceleration numbers.

800-volt architecture targets both performance and charging speed

The new CLA 45 4MATIC+ also benefits from an 800-volt electrical architecture.

High-voltage electrical systems can support faster charging and help reduce the electrical losses associated with transferring large amounts of energy. In the CLA 45, the architecture works together with the high-power-density axial-flux motors to create an EV designed for both performance and long-distance usability.

Mercedes-AMG quotes a charging time of approximately 22 minutes for a 10-to-80-percent battery charge when using a suitable DC fast-charging station.

That is particularly significant for a performance vehicle that could otherwise demand frequent charging stops during long-distance driving.

More than 670 kilometers of range

Despite its performance focus, the new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ is not intended to be a short-range track special.

Mercedes-AMG quotes a range of more than 670 kilometers for the saloon, according to the applicable test procedure.

That combination of range and performance could make the CLA 45 an unusually versatile proposition. Drivers can exploit its 680-hp powertrain when conditions allow, while the aerodynamic systems and high-voltage architecture are designed to improve efficiency during normal driving.

The key challenge for AMG was therefore not simply extracting maximum power from the battery. It was creating an electric performance car capable of switching between efficiency and outright performance without compromising either objective.

Fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive

One of the most technically interesting elements of the CLA 45 4MATIC+ is its all-wheel-drive system.

Traditional all-wheel-drive systems often rely on a mechanical connection between axles or electronically controlled clutches to vary torque distribution. The AMG system takes a different approach by using three independent electric motors.

Torque can be distributed continuously between the front and rear axles. At the rear, the two motors can also vary torque individually between the wheels.

This torque-vectoring capability can help the CLA 45 rotate into corners, improve traction when exiting a bend and maintain stability when the driver approaches the car’s limits.

In other words, the electric powertrain becomes an integral part of the chassis rather than simply a source of propulsion.

AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension gets serious upgrades

The chassis of the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ has also received extensive development.

The car uses a steel-sprung AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension system with adaptive three-way adjustable damping. AMG says the wheel-guiding components, springs and dampers have been fundamentally revised.

The objective is to increase maximum lateral acceleration while maintaining predictable and approachable handling at the limit.

That distinction matters. A performance car that generates impressive numbers but becomes difficult to read near its limits can be frustrating for experienced drivers. AMG’s approach with the CLA 45 is instead aimed at creating a car that communicates what its tires and chassis are doing as the pace increases.

The adaptive damping system also allows the suspension characteristics to be adjusted according to the selected driving mode and road conditions, giving the CLA 45 a wider operating range than a purely track-focused setup.

Active rear spoiler adds another layer of aerodynamic control

Aerodynamics play a major role in the CLA 45 4MATIC+’s performance strategy.

The saloon features a segment-first active rear spoiler, while the Shooting Brake receives an active roof spoiler. Both systems are designed to adjust the car’s aerodynamic balance depending on the selected driving program or driver input.

At lower aerodynamic loads, the spoiler can adopt a position intended to reduce drag and maximize efficiency. When greater stability is required, it can change angle to generate additional downforce.

This is an increasingly important feature on high-performance EVs. Electric cars have to balance two competing demands: minimizing aerodynamic resistance to maximize range and generating aerodynamic stability at high speeds.

The active spoiler allows the CLA 45 to address both requirements rather than permanently optimizing the car for one or the other.

Active grille shutters improve aerodynamic efficiency

The CLA 45’s aerodynamic package also includes advanced active front grille shutters.

At high speeds, the shutters remain closed to reduce aerodynamic drag. They open when the vehicle requires additional cooling airflow.

It is a relatively simple concept, but one that becomes increasingly valuable as manufacturers attempt to maximize EV efficiency without compromising thermal management.

For the CLA 45, aerodynamic efficiency is therefore not merely a styling exercise. The active systems are integrated into the vehicle’s broader performance strategy, helping the car transition between maximum range and maximum high-speed stability.

Nürburgring development shows AMG’s priorities

The new CLA 45 4MATIC+ recently demonstrated its performance credentials by setting a segment record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The legendary 20.8-kilometer circuit is one of the toughest development environments in the automotive world, combining high-speed sections, elevation changes, heavy braking zones and challenging corners.

A Nürburgring record does not automatically make a car the best everyday performance vehicle, but it does provide an indication of how seriously AMG has approached the CLA 45’s chassis, powertrain and aerodynamic development.

The three-motor powertrain, torque vectoring, adaptive damping and active aerodynamics are clearly designed to work as one integrated system.

Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ brings supercar acceleration to the compact class

The all-new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ represents a significant evolution of AMG’s approach to electric performance.

Its 680-hp output and 2.7-second 0-100 km/h acceleration time are the numbers that will attract the most attention, but the more important story lies beneath them.

Three axial-flux motors provide independent control of the front and rear axles and individual rear wheels. An 800-volt architecture supports rapid charging. Adaptive three-way damping gives the chassis a broader range of capabilities, while active aerodynamic elements allow the car to prioritize either efficiency or stability.

With more than 670 kilometers of claimed range for the saloon and a 10-to-80-percent DC fast-charging time of around 22 minutes, the CLA 45 is also attempting to eliminate one of the traditional compromises associated with high-performance electric cars.

Mercedes-AMG has therefore taken a different route with the new CLA 45 4MATIC+: rather than building an EV that is simply extremely fast in a straight line, it has developed a compact performance car in which the electric powertrain, chassis and aerodynamics are all designed to work together.

If the Nürburgring performance is any indication, the new CLA 45 4MATIC+ could become one of the most technically sophisticated electric AMG models yet—and a serious benchmark for the next generation of compact performance EVs.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

NEW CARS

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

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