There was plenty of hullaballoo over the various automakers’ commercials during Super Bowl XLVII this past weekend. However, Mercedes-Benz released a little gem via an annotation on its ad for the new 2014 CLA: there will be a CLA45 AMG.
We were pretty sure that an AMG version of the CLA was in the works. Since the swoopy
coupe shares all of its underpinnings with the A-Class, it’s no surprise that the uprated, direct-injected 2.0-liter turbo-four from the upcoming A45 AMG will make its way into the CLA. That mill is good for 350 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque in the A45, so expect similar (if not identical) numbers for the CLA45. Also part of the AMG suite is a specially-tuned 4Matic all-wheel drive system that can send up to 60 percent of power to the rear wheels – a big dynamic boon for the normally front-wheel-drive A- and CLA-Class. All of the powertrain modifications add up to some lickety-split performance: an expected 0-to-62-mph time of 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph, or 175 mph with an optional performance package. (Expect that package to be labeled as an S-Model version, like on the 2014 E63 AMG.)
The confirmation that the CLA-Class will definitely spawn an AMG variant comes courtesy of an annotation on Mercedes’ own YouTube video. At the end of its Super Bowl ad, text pops up to direct viewers to “Enter for a chance to win a trip to NYC to see the CLA and the CLA45 AMG in person.” The link goes to the Mercedes-Benz USA Facebook page, where the automaker is currently promoting a contest to see the CLA at the New York auto show in March.
When the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA goes on sale in the U.S. this fall, it will initially be offered only with a turbocharged I-4 good for 208 hp and 258 lb-ft, sending power to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Despite starting at $29,990 before destination charges, standard equipment will include upmarket features like collision prevention assist, attention assist, and mbrace2 internet-connected telematics. Stay tuned for more information on the CLA45 AMG as the New York show draws closer.
We were pretty sure that an AMG version of the CLA was in the works. Since the swoopy
four-door
The confirmation that the CLA-Class will definitely spawn an AMG variant comes courtesy of an annotation on Mercedes’ own YouTube video. At the end of its Super Bowl ad, text pops up to direct viewers to “Enter for a chance to win a trip to NYC to see the CLA and the CLA45 AMG in person.” The link goes to the Mercedes-Benz USA Facebook page, where the automaker is currently promoting a contest to see the CLA at the New York auto show in March.
When the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA goes on sale in the U.S. this fall, it will initially be offered only with a turbocharged I-4 good for 208 hp and 258 lb-ft, sending power to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Despite starting at $29,990 before destination charges, standard equipment will include upmarket features like collision prevention assist, attention assist, and mbrace2 internet-connected telematics. Stay tuned for more information on the CLA45 AMG as the New York show draws closer.
