Good things come in small packages. Some may consider that a reference to jewelry, but for AMG®, it means CLA-based sport sedans. The CLA is the smallest four-door Mercedes-Benz and a great entry point to the brand’s luxury. But AMG® sees it as a solid platform to be the gateway to AMG® performance, and they aim to make a great impression. Mercedes-Benz of Plano tells you more.
The coupe-shaped normal CLA offers a 2.0-liter turbo inline-4 generating 221 horsepower. It mates it to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic and sends the power to the front wheels. AMG® takes that model, adds the 4MATIC® all-wheel-drive system, and both tunes and modifies the engine to 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It then mates it to the AMG® SPEEDSHIFT® version of the dual-clutch transmission. A built-in launch system enables a 0-60 time of 4.8 seconds.
For those who want to knock 0.8 seconds off that time, there is the AMG® CLA 45 S 4MATIC®, which will reach 60 mph before you can speak its full name. This model features a handcrafted AMG® 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that puts out 416 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.
AMG® doesn’t just linger under the hood but enhances the entire driving experience. The chassis features AMG® tuning and modifications to the front MacPherson strut and wishbone and rear multilink suspensions. The steering is also tuned for a more precise response. The 4MATIC® system has rear torque vectoring to help rotate the vehicle in curves. With 235/40R18 front all-season rubber wrapped around 18-inch 10-thin spoke AMG® bespoke wheels, the power hits the ground with precision. The 45 S model even upgrades to 14.2 front discs with 6-piston calipers for enhanced braking performance. The wheels combine with vertical chrome slats in the grille and subtle badging to let onlookers know that this CLA has the AMG® treatment.
Inside the cabin, the AMG® DYNAMIC SELECT® system drive modes adjust throttle, shift-logic, and 4MATIC® behavior according to a choice of Comfort, Slippery Sport+ drive modes with RACE added for the CLA 45 S. Though selectable from the screen, AMG® also enables drive mode selection from the steering wheel. You sit in deeply bolstered perforated front seats in a variety of colors. Specific AMG® performance front seats are available.
The starting MSRP for the AMG® CLA 35 is $56,100*, which means you can have a sports sedan with an AMG® pedigree for just $10G over the average price of a new car. The more extreme 45 S starts at $66,550*. Inquire with Mercedes-Benz of Plano about how you can check out and test drive the AMG® CLA models.
*Base MSRP excludes transportation and handling charges, destination charges, taxes, title, registration, preparation and documentary fees, tags, labor and installation charges, insurance, and optional equipment, products, packages and accessories. Options, model availability and actual dealer price may vary. See dealer for details.
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