Test drove CLA45 AMG

[john08135i]

my MB dealer got two in stock and i went up to drive one last night. I was really considering buying one but i wasn't impressed at all with the torque.

I have a 328i only and my old 135i felt much faster than the AMG.
The steering and handling were great but i was expecting much more power from the most powerful 4cyl production car ever.

Sticker was also $63,300 see attached.

Its a beautiful car outside but the stick on nav screen is an even worse design than on the F30 and there are many other cars i would consider for $63k. First to mind is a C7 vette. I think a base CLA with AMG package for $36k is a much better buy for that car.

Attached is the window sticker.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

My gosh, that's gorgeous.

[TunedM2C]

Now just imagine adding this tune to boost it up to 450hp.

The A 45 AMG's bigger, more elegant but just as bonkers brother, the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG, just received a tuning package from Carlsson that upgrades its specs to a supercar-battling status.

The 360 hp drawn from the M133, two-liter four cylinder were apparently not enough for some of its customers, so the tuning specialists from Carlsson decided to comfort them by creating the Carlsson CCA 45 RSR.

From what we can tell from the official press release, Carlsson simply installed a version of the Carlsson C-Tronic CB Plug & Drive module instead of the original ECU, making the all-wheel drive AMG version of the baby-CLS to develop no less than 450 hp.

If you're not very good with arithmetics but still want to know why that figure is more than impressive, you should learn that it translates into 225 hp per liter.

The “regular” Mercedes-Benz CLA hasn't been left aside though, with a comprehensive array of aerodynamic components, sports exhaust, upgraded suspension, new light-alloy wheels and interior trim upgrades being available for the “four-door coupe.”

Similar C-Tronic CB performance kits are also available for the other gasoline engines in the range, as follows: the CLA 200 can deliver 187 hp and 300 Nm (221 lb ft) instead of the standard 156 hp and 250 Nm (184 lb ft) while the CLA 250's output is boosted from 211 hp and 350 Nm (258 lb ft) to a quite respectable 253 hp and 420 Nm (310 lb ft).



http://www.autoevolution.com/mercede...son-66810.html

[SaMaster14]

Interesting review. Every review I've seen online has preached at how FAST the car feels...

Did you have a tune on your old 135i?
Stock, the CLA 45 should hit 60 in no more than 4.5 seconds...

I really want to test drive this car! Interesting how the sticker price is just about equal to what the sticker on my 335is was when I got it. Going to be an interesting comparison.

[john08135i]

Yes i did have a tune on the 1 but seriously it didnt even feel that much faster than the 328i does. I know that sounds silly but the allwheel drive is maybe deceiving the speed.

The 200 mph speedo was cool though. I have built one online and just performance seats, exhaust and steering wheel is 10k less..

I almost forgot when on power when you upshift it always gives a big BRRAAPP!!. that fun to hear from a 4.

[Red Bread]

Makes sense to me, having driven plenty of STi's and EVO's. Small engines can be great at full throttle but tend to feel gutless when driven at partial throttle. The same way that a Corvette driver will feel about an M3 or N55 car at partial throttle.

I'm still curious to hear what people think of the Haldex in the CLA45, especially since it sounds like MB went with an older version than VW has been using and it can only send 60% of the power to the rear.

[Vervain]

That does look great, especially with the rear LEDs.

A does seem weird that you found it slower than your 135i though.

[ybbiz34]

Looks awesome. It's weird how personal photographs often make cars look better than they do in the crap photos car magazines churn out.

And that's strange that you thought it felt slow.

There are quite a few folks over on the Merc forums commenting that it feels just as quick, if not quicker (thanks to the AWD) than the C63 to 60.

Thanks for sharing/posting!

[Year's_End]

Interesting. Direct comparison videos have shown the A/CLA45 leaving an M135i in the dust, so for it to feel slower than a 335i is odd.

It also makes 330 lb-ft @ 2,250, so it shouldn't feel breathless at the low end of the tach. It makes more power and weighs less, must have been the butt dunno.

[1chanc3]

those tail lights though!
And with a spoiler, it actually makes the rear look decent

[US///M3]

I dont know if you can get a good sense of torque if you test drove it on wet roads, in the rain...

[Chihuahua]

$63K...that's a tough pill to swallow for that car IMO.

It'll be interesting to see how that engine holds up long term. It seems like it's pretty high strung.

[Ezio]

if this thing had 6.2L AMg v8 growl it would be wayyyy cooler

[5soko]

Hate the super fake, add on square exhaust that is attached only to the bumper on the CLA. The noise that comes out of that exhaust is horrible anyways.

Interesting review, looking forward to driving one, one day for fun.

[Ichiro]

I want one.... plain and simple...I must have it!
Thanks for sharing your review and thoughts. I've never driven one (CLA45) as there aren't any demos in Sydney.
The standard car is definitely great value for money. I can attest to the great fit and finish, but the stick on Nav is a bit too funky for me as well.

[EyeGuy]

Gotta wait for the audi s3

[DieGrüneHölle]

Originally Posted by 5soko

Hate the super fake, add on square exhaust that is attached only to the bumper on the CLA. The noise that comes out of that exhaust is horrible anyways.

Interesting review, looking forward to driving one, one day for fun.

Actually I think it sounds damn good for a 4 banger.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by Blipit_

Actually I think it sounds damn good for a 4 banger.

its not that the engine noise it self is BAD. but on a 50k AMG benz, sorry i dont want a 4 banger!

[DieGrüneHölle]

Originally Posted by Ezio

its not that the engine noise it self is BAD. but on a 50k AMG benz, sorry i dont want a 4 banger!

50k won't get you a new AMG with a V8. So this is what you get. You need to spend another $20k+ to get a C63.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by Blipit_

50k won't get you a new AMG with a V8. So this is what you get. You need to spend another $20k+ to get a C63.

there are to many cars in a 50k price range for me to want a 4 banger AMG. if i couldn't afford a V8 AMG i wouldn't get a AMG. its such a bitch motor when comparing.

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by Ezio

there are to many cars in a 50k price range for me to want a 4 banger AMG. if i couldn't afford a V8 AMG i wouldn't get a AMG. its such a bitch motor when comparing.

What car can you think of that is better than the CLA45 that is in the 50k range? Luxury sport sedan that is.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by Inspired

What car can you think of that is better than the CLA45 that is in the 50k range? Luxury sport sedan that is.

idk maybe a ATSV? i would buy used C63 AMG before i got this car. thats me though.

honestly its just something i wouldn't want. i gave my opinion on the car, thats all. you can disagree.