Small footprint, big-hearted performance

Dieter Zetsche, Chairman Daimler AG and Global head of Mercedes-Benz cars is not a man who minces words. Talking to us in 2011, he had admitted that Mercedes had been complacent after its initial success in the Indian market. But, he also added that the company will make a strong comeback with new cars that fill the void in between the models that were available here back then.

Cut to this year and that statement is likely to see resonance in the number of new launches that Mercedes-Benz India will be making, especially in the key volume sub-segments of the luxury car market. Continuing last year’s introductions – the A and B Class – this year the company will further consolidate its presence in the compact segment. A compact sedan, a compact sports utility and number of performance cars from its AMG stable will see MB India covering the gaps in its portfolio. So, with the A-Class platform based, regular CLA compact sedan scheduled to be introduced here later this year, it was a smart move to launch the CLA 45 AMG first to work up an appetite amongst buyers.

The CLA 45 is the sixth AMG model to be launched by MB India, which now has a AMG model to offer under all four body styles. But, the most significant aspect of the CLA 45 is that it is the most affordable AMG here. In fact, it is probably the most affordable super performance sedan in the Indian market now.

The CLA’s design has the stamp of Mercedes’ new design language. Very unique, young and modern, the CLA’s design defines the profile of the CLA 45 AMG too. Being coupe like, there is a lot of the CLS’ sloping roofline that you can see in the CLA’s rear, but there are defining characteristics that sets the latter apart. After seeing the A-Class hatch on Indian roads, the CLA 45 AMG’s front must seem a bit familiar.

But, there is a lot of AMG treatment in features like the twin-blade radiator grille in matt titanium grey and the front splitter and side skirts which also get the same finish. There are two large cooling air intakes topped with black contrasting flicks on the front fender that remind you of the power within the bonnet.

The roofline has a nice symmetric flow towards the rear. Viewed from the side, the CLA 45’s special alloys and the Turbo AMG badging on the front wing identify its special status. The rear, of course, has a lot more of this character written all over. The AMG sports exhaust system with the twin rectangular tail pipes catches all the attention. The CLA’s pert rear end gets even more interesting with the side air outlets and a rear diffuser insert in matt titanium grey.

The CLA is based on the same Mercedes-Benz W176 platform as the A-Class. So, the overall dimensions are almost similar. We test drove the CLA 45 AMG on the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) and the car looked nicely proportioned fitted with the 18-inch AMG rims and 235/40 profile tyres.

Step into the CLA 45 AMG and there is no mistaking it to be the regular car or even to wonder if you have actually stepped into the A-Class, because the CLA borrows heavily from the hatch. The dashboard layout and even individual elements are all familiar bits from the A-Class, including the interesting aircraft turbine style aircon vents and the LCD screen at the top of the centre stack.

But, the AMG features catch the eye even more thanks in part to their bright red avatars in the CLA 45. Contrast red stitching in the specially designed Recaro sports seats, the red seatbelt and the flat-bottomed sports steering wheel, all with AMG badging, give the car’s interior a sporty and luxurious feel. There is enough room for front passengers, though rear passengers’ leg room will be about the same as that of the A-Class. However, headroom maybe a bit low at the rear for tall passengers – too bad, if you plan to give it to the chauffeur.

The CLA 45 AMG shares the powertrain with the A45 AMG. Symbolically, but coincidentally, it is the first time in its 45 years that AMG is offering a four-cylinder petrol engine. The CLA 45 AMG’s two-litre, 4-cylinder turbo engine with a peak output of 360HP and peak torque of 450 Nm is claimed by Mercedes-Benz to be the world’s most powerful series-production engine in this class.

The engine’s power density is 181 HP and if you are still wondering if that is comparable to some of the other AMG’s, you must also remember that this engine is powering a relatively light, compact sedan. The CLA 45 AMG’s top speed is limited at 250 kmph and the 0-100 kmph comes up in a claimed 4.6 seconds.

On the track the CLA 45 AMG gives us a taste of its capability right after we slip out of the pit lane. There are enough horses on standby to get the car to speeds that you can handle, rather than to find it wanting. On the BIC’s back straight the CLA 45 manages to cross the 220 kmph mark, before we had to brake hard and head late into Turn 4. The engine’s twinscroll turbocharger spools up quick and once the needle passes the 2,000 rpm level almost all of the torque gets fed to the wheels.

Unlike the regular CLA, the AMG gets the trademark Speedshift DCT 7-Speed sports transmission. The gearbox features a dual-clutch set up and three transmission modes for different driving conditions and includes a race start. On the track, with the empty stands echoing the exhaust note, we expected to hear trademark AMG noises. Unfortunately, the 4-cylinder is not as raucous, though shifting up or down the gears elicits a nice blip note. Steeering mounted trademark aluminium AMG paddles were, of course, far more interesting to use.

The CLA 45 also gets the AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive system with a rear differential. The car, however, retains some of the front wheel drive character of the regular CLA and so there is a bit of understeer during very hard cornering at the track, though real world conditions are unlikely to be as dynamic. There is also the 3-stage ESP that will kick in and assist you through a tight situation if one were to come up.

The CLA 45 AMG’s cabin is quiet and well appointed. However, the stiff sports suspension with its dynamic set up is likely to be a bit of a bother for buyers who are more likely to be driving it around town. There are compromises to be made for the sake of performance.

At ₹ 68.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the CLA 45 AMG is a great entry into the world of AMGs. We think you should be reaching over for that cheque book by now.

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