Mercedes-AMG kills petrol-powered CLA 45! New 500kW EV monster gets 1759Nm, 670km range and simulated four-cylinder soundtrack

Mercedes-AMG has revealed the all-new CLA 45 4MATIC+, with the German performance brand dumping the turbo-petrol engine and replacing it with a 500kW three-motor electric powertrain.

Due to be offered as both a four-door sedan and Shooting Brake wagon, the new battery-powered CLA 45 produces up to 500kW and 1759Nm, accelerates from 0-100km/h in 3.0 seconds and offers more than 670km of WLTP range.

Using the one-foot rollout acceleration measurement more commonly quoted in the US, Mercedes-AMG claims an even quicker 2.7-second 0-100km/h time.

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The new CLA 45 is based on the latest electric Mercedes-Benz CLA but introduces a significantly more powerful drivetrain developed by AMG.

It uses three axial-flux electric motors, comprising two motors on the rear axle and a third motor at the front.

Combined peak output is 500kW, while Mercedes-AMG claims an unusually high 450kW continuous output.

The rear motors alone can produce up to 500kW, while the front motor contributes up to 225kW when required.

The front motor can also be disconnected under light loads to reduce energy consumption, allowing the CLA 45 to operate as a rear-wheel drive EV.

Mercedes-AMG’s fully variable 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system independently controls all three motors and can vary torque distribution between the front and rear axles.

The two rear motors also provide torque vectoring by varying drive between the rear wheels.

Energy comes from a 94kWh usable lithium-ion battery featuring silicon-oxide and graphite anodes.

Mercedes-AMG claims a WLTP range of more than 670km for the sedan and more than 640km for the Shooting Brake.

Energy consumption is rated at 16.5-18.7kWh/100km for the sedan and 17.4-19.6kWh/100km for the wagon.

An 800-volt electrical architecture enables DC charging at up to 330kW, with Mercedes-AMG claiming a 10-80 per cent battery recharge takes 22 minutes.

Up to 270km of additional range can be added in 10 minutes at a sufficiently powerful charger.

AC charging at up to 22kW is also supported.

Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h, increasing to 270km/h when equipped with the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package.

Despite its compact-car positioning, the new CLA 45 is no lightweight.

The sedan weighs 2280kg under the DIN measurement standard, while the Shooting Brake tips the scales at 2295kg.

Both versions use AMG Ride Control sports suspension with steel springs and adaptive three-stage dampers.

Drivers can choose between Comfort, Sport and AMGFORCE S+ suspension settings, while up to seven driving modes are available depending on specification.

The most unusual is AMGFORCE S+, which attempts to recreate the experience of driving a petrol-powered AMG.

Mercedes-AMG recorded the sound of an A 45 S hot hatch using 13 microphones and more than 1600 individual recordings.

The resulting four-cylinder soundtrack is played inside the electric CLA 45 and accompanied by simulated gear changes, interruptions in acceleration and vibrations generated by shakers built into the front seats.

Steering wheel paddles allow the driver to manually trigger the artificial gear changes.

Cars equipped with the AMG Dynamic Plus package also gain a Race driving mode, launch control and AMG Track Pace software.

More than 80 vehicle parameters can be recorded 10 times per second, while pre-loaded race circuits and augmented-reality displays provide information including braking points and racing lines.

The CLA 45 also introduces active aerodynamics.

The sedan gets an active rear spoiler, while the Shooting Brake uses an active roof-edge spoiler.

Both automatically adjust depending on vehicle speed and driving mode to improve stability, reduce drag or maximise range.

Active radiator shutters can remain closed at speeds of almost 250km/h before additional cooling is required.

The electric CLA 45 also has substantially upgraded brakes, including 390mm front discs with six-piston fixed callipers and 350mm rear discs.

Mercedes-AMG says regenerative braking can provide up to 5m/s² of deceleration and bring the vehicle to a complete stop without using the hydraulic brakes in normal driving.

Five levels of regenerative braking are available.

Visually, the CLA 45 is differentiated from the regular CLA by an AMG-specific front grille with 10 vertical strakes, widened front wheelarches, a unique front bumper, side skirts and a rear diffuser with six fins.

Standard wheels measure 19 inches, while 20-inch alloy and forged wheels are optional.

Inside, the CLA 45 is configured as a four-seater and gets AMG sports seats, an AMG Performance steering wheel and front-seat vibration shakers as standard.

It also uses the fourth-generation MBUX infotainment system based on the Mercedes-Benz Operating System and incorporating artificial intelligence technology from ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing and Google Gemini.

Boot capacity is 390 litres for the sedan and 450 litres for the Shooting Brake, while both versions add a 101-litre front storage compartment.

Mercedes-Benz Australia is yet to confirm local launch timing or pricing for the new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+.