Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 tech deep-dive: The incredible lengths AMG went to making its new EV sound and feel like it’s powered by petrol. Should it have bothered?
Mercedes-AMG has recorded more than 1600 samples of a petrol-powered A 45 S hot hatch to give its new all-electric CLA 45 4MATIC+ the sound, vibrations and simulated gearshifts of a combustion-powered performance car.
The unusual technology is part of AMG’s attempt to retain some of the character of its petrol models as it replaces the existing turbocharged four-cylinder CLA 45 with a new-generation battery-electric performance flagship.
Producing up to 500kW and 1759Nm from three electric motors, the new CLA 45 can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.0 seconds and travel more than 670km between charges.
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But Mercedes-AMG has gone beyond simply making its new EV faster than the petrol model it replaces.
A new AMGFORCE S+ driving mode has been developed to recreate the sound and physical sensations of driving a combustion-powered AMG.
Rather than developing an entirely synthetic soundtrack, AMG used an existing Mercedes-AMG A 45 S as its reference vehicle.
The 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder hot hatch was placed on a chassis dynamometer and recorded both at idle and under load.
Thirteen microphones positioned inside and outside the vehicle collected more than 1600 individual recordings.
Those recordings are used by a real-time audio system that adjusts the sound according to how the electric CLA 45 is being driven.
Acceleration, engine speed, simulated gear changes, overrun effects and other driving conditions are reproduced through the vehicle’s audio system.
Drivers can also select different sound settings ranging from Powerful, Balanced and Minimal, as well as adjusting the character of the sound between Classic and Futuristic.
The simulated combustion experience extends beyond sound.
The electric powertrain deliberately interrupts acceleration during simulated gear changes to recreate the sensation of a conventional transmission shifting ratios.
Drivers can trigger the artificial shifts manually using steering wheel-mounted paddles.
The vehicle’s displays also switch to show a simulated rev counter and gear indicator.
Vibration generators, which Mercedes-AMG calls seat shakers, are fitted to the front seats and reproduce vibrations designed to mimic those produced by a combustion engine.
The system also creates sounds when the vehicle is approached, unlocked, started, locked and plugged into a charger.
The AMGFORCE S+ driving mode is one of up to seven available in the new CLA 45.
Other settings include Comfort, Sport, Slippery, Eco and Individual, while cars equipped with the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package add a Race mode.
The Race setting introduces additional circuit-focused functions including adjustable traction control, launch control and AMG Track Pace software.
The latter records more than 80 vehicle parameters 10 times per second and can display lap times, sector times, acceleration data and other telemetry.
Mercedes-AMG has also introduced a Predictive Performance Manager designed to regulate power delivery during track driving.
Rather than allowing the driver to continuously access maximum power, the system can reduce or increase output depending on the section of circuit to manage battery energy and improve lap times over longer sessions.
The simulated engine technology arrives as performance-car manufacturers grapple with how to retain the sound and mechanical interaction traditionally associated with combustion engines as they develop high-performance EVs.
Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N and Ioniq 6 N use simulated gearshifts and engine sounds to add driver interaction to their electric powertrains.
But the new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 goes further by reproducing the recorded sound of an existing AMG combustion engine and combining it with physical seat vibrations and interruptions in acceleration.
Mercedes-Benz Australia is yet to announce local launch timing or pricing for the new electric CLA 45.
