Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 EV sets new Nurburgring lap record: 20km torture test proves the worth of axial-flux motors, maker claims
Mercedes-AMG has backed up some of the extraordinary performance claims made for its new electric CLA 45 by setting a Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record for its class.
The 500kW Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ completed the full 20.832km circuit in 7min 32.070sec, with the lap officially measured and notarised.
Mercedes-AMG claims that makes the CLA 45 the fastest vehicle in its segment around the notoriously demanding German circuit.
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Perhaps more importantly, the lap provides an early demonstration of the sustained high-performance capability AMG has been promising from the CLA 45’s unusual axial-flux electric motors.
As EV Central has previously detailed, the new CLA 45 abandons the four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine of its predecessor and instead uses three compact axial-flux motors – two driving the rear axle and another at the front.
Together they produce up to 500kW, while the rear motors can spin at up to 20,000rpm.
The technology is significant because axial-flux motors can package substantial power and torque into a smaller and lighter unit than conventional radial-flux electric motors.
But AMG has also made repeatability a major focus, rather than simply chasing an enormous peak power number that can only be delivered briefly.
The liquid-cooled motors are designed to repeatedly deliver their maximum output, something AMG says was important in completing a fast lap of the 20.8km Nordschleife.
The CLA 45’s three motors drive through a fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system.
The front motor can effectively operate as a booster when required, while the independently controlled rear motors allow torque vectoring between the back wheels.
AMG development driver Kevin Berger completed the record lap on July 28 in ambient temperatures of 24 degrees Celsius and with the track surface at 30 degrees.
The car was fitted with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tyres and used the Race drive mode included with the optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package.
Race mode conditions the drivetrain for sustained boost performance while also stiffening the suspension and damping and altering the operation of the all-wheel-drive system.
The CLA 45 uses steel-sprung AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive three-way damping. AMG says the multi-link front and rear suspension has been comprehensively revised compared with the regular CLA to increase lateral acceleration and improve control at the limit.
Active aerodynamics also played a role. The CLA 45 has an active rear spoiler that alters its angle depending on the drive mode and conditions, while active cooling shutters beneath the car can open in eight stages.
In Race mode the rear spoiler remains active, while the cooling shutters balance the need to manage temperatures with reducing front-axle lift and aerodynamic drag.
Another important part of the record attempt was AMG’s Predictive Performance Manager.
Rather than simply delivering maximum power until the battery or motors become too hot, the system analyses the circuit and determines where deploying the available energy will have the greatest effect on lap time.
It offers a Sprint strategy for the quickest possible single lap and a Race strategy intended to provide more consistent performance over multiple laps.
That’s particularly relevant for a high-performance EV on the Nürburgring, where thermal management and energy consumption over such a long lap can be just as important as outright power.
Despite its circuit focus, the CLA 45 is also claimed to travel more than 670km between charges.
Its axial-flux motors draw energy from a 94kWh usable lithium-ion battery, with AMG modifying the battery’s operating window and thermal management to support sustained high-power operation. The CLA 45 Shooting Brake has a slightly shorter claimed range of 640km.
The CLA 45’s 7:32.070 lap shouldn’t be confused with the much faster outright Nürburgring EV records.
The current production-car benchmark is considerably faster again: Mercedes-AMG’s own hybrid AMG One hypercar holds the official record at 6:29.090.
And the outright electric record belongs to Volkswagen’s purpose-built ID.R racing prototype, which lapped the Nordschleife in 6:05.336 in 2019.
What makes the CLA 45’s result notable is that it comes from a compact four-door production model that also claims more than 670km of road-going range.
It is also considerably quicker around the circuit than many celebrated combustion-engined performance cars, although comparisons need to be treated carefully because Nürburgring lap times have been recorded under different conditions and, historically, over different circuit lengths.
The time would have sat the CLA 45 24th and out of 26 cars on the grid for the 1976 German Grand Prix, the last time the long course hosted a Formula 1 world championship race. Course length was then 22.835km.
Mercedes-Benz Australia has previously confirmed the new-generation CLA EV family for Australia, but local timing and availability for the flagship AMG CLA 45 have yet to be announced.
