Mercedes-Benz CLA45 News

One in every five Mercedes vehicles sold in Australia so far in 2020 has been of the high-performance AMG variety, which is the quite the achievement considering the obvious challenges this year has presented

Let’s face it: the Mercedes-AMG A45 gets all the headlines because it is arguably the benchmark hot hatch – but it’s not even the most popular small performance car the German brand sells in Australia

Mercedes has announced Australian pricing and specifications for the new CLA Shooting Brake compact wagon.Priced from $52,400, the CLA-based model will be the cheapest Benz wagon ever sold in Australia, and priced below the Holden Calais V Sportwagon local hero.Your $52,400 will get you a 115kW/250Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine in the base model CLA 200, capable of returning 5.7L/100km combined.An additional $500 brings the 2.1-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine producing 100kW/300Nm in the $52,900 CLA 200 CDI. Combined fuel consumption for the diesel model listed as 4.3L/100km.The CLA-based model will be the cheapest Mercedes-Benz wagon ever sold in Australia.Standard features on both 200 models include power tailgate, satnav, 18-inch alloys, keyless start and a reversing camera.Both entry-level models are front-wheel drive and fitted with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox as standard.The mid-spec $66,400 CLA 250 4MATIC Shooting Brake is powered by a 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine. The 250 also scores AMG styling pieces, diamond grille, sports suspension, panoramic glass sunroof, heated electric leather front seats, and 4MATIC four-wheel drive.The range-topping CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake is the performance model in the line up, powered by the 265kW/450Nm turbo four-cylinder engine from the A, CLA and GLA 45 AMG models.It can sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds – a tenth slower than the CLA 45 sedan – and is fitted with upgraded suspension, brakes, wheels and tyres and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic with launch control. The AMG performance model also comes with extra standard equipment, including upgraded satnav, Harmon Kardon sound system, cruise control with auto brake functionality and lane keep assist.The Shooting Brake features an additional 25-litres of cargo space over the CLA sedan at 495-litres VDA, while folding the rear seats flat sees that swell to 1354-litres VDA.The CLA Shooting Brake is expected to arrive in Australia before June.

Mercedes-Benz has revealed its newest member of the expanding A-Class family, the CLA Shooting Brake.As indicated over a year ago by Mercedes-Benz design boss Gordon Wagener, the new Shooting Brake will enter production in January 2015 becoming the prestige marque’s second coupe-come-wagon model after the larger CLS Shooting Brake.Mercedes describe the Shooting Brake as a more practical and spacious version of the stylish CLA sedan, for those buyers who don’t want to compromise style for usability, or plump for a more expensive C-Class Estate.From the A-pillar forward the design mirrors that of the standard CLA with the same headlight and grille design, the doors also feature the same swooshing character lines that have been adopted by most of the Mercedes passenger lineup in recent times.The roofline and D-pillar are new however, and there’s a sleek tailgate that exaggerates the length of the car giving almost yacht-like proportions in a similar fashion to the CLS Shooting Brake.Inside, the CLA Shooting Brake features the same youth-orientated interior design as the CLA four-door coupe, though the new roof design is said to give rear passengers greater headroom.Boot space has also swollen by 25-litres to 495-litres VDA. With the rear seats folded flat a total of 1354-litres VDA is available.Mechanicals for the wagon mirror the rest of the CLA range with a choice of turbocharged petrol and turbodiesel engines available with front-drive or 4MATIC all-wheel drive.In overseas markets a manual transmission will be offered, but Australia’s love affair with autos will likely see the 7-speed double-clutch automatic the sole gearbox for locally delivered models.International turbodiesel options include the 100kW/300Nm CLA200 CDI and the CLA220 CDI with the same 2.1-litre turbodiesel unit in 130kW/350Nm tune. Both models can achieve around 4.2L/100km combined on the European cycle.The petrol range kicks off with the 90kW/200Nm CLA180 followed by the 115kW/250Nm CLA200 with both models capable of using around 6.0L/100km combined.The CLA250 uses a 2.0-litre turbo four-pot producing 155kW/350Nm and can hit 100km/h in 6.8 seconds in all-wheel drive 4MATIC form. Combined fuel consumption for the all-paw Shooting Brake is 6.6L/100km.Mercedes is also launching a CLA45 AMG version of the Shooting Brake which gets the same 265kW/450Nm 2.0-litre turbo unit as the performance arm’s other '45' models.Mercedes has carved yet another niche in the marketA 4MATIC all-wheel drive system and double-clutch transmission with launch control function helps the new model reach 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds – a tenth off the slightly lighter CLA45 sedan, but a tenth quicker than the GLA45 SUV with the same powertrain. The AMG model also features bigger brakes, more track-focused suspension and tyres and a number of styling pieces to give a sportier look. The new CLA load lugger won’t have any direct rivals when lands in Australia next year, as Mercedes has carved yet another niche in the market.Though Australian pricing and specifications are unconfirmed, expect the CLA Shooting Brake to be slightly more expensive than its sedan sibling, which starts at $50,900.

Mercedes-Benz has changed its plans for adding a CLA250 to the local line-up. The German prestige brand had originally confirmed we’d get the two-wheel drive version in March, but has now switched to the all-wheel drive 4MATIC – although there’ll be a few extra months to wait for it.Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson, Jerry Stamoulis told Carsguide the opportunity to get the 4MATIC had only recently arisen. “When we announced the CLA pricing back in October last year the 4MATIC wasn’t available to us and so we only had the option of two wheel drive,” Stamoulis said “Recently we were informed that we could take the 4MATIC and due to the cost of only a $1500 increase we decided to go for the 4MATIC.”Mercedes has confirmed that the CLA 250 Sport 4MATIC will be sold in Australia from July, joining with another incoming variant to raise the line-up to four. Currently the CLA range consists of the CLA 200, priced from $49,900, and the tarmac-eating 265kw CLA45 AMG, priced from $86,900.Next month the CLA 200 CDI will land on our shores, packing a frugal 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine that produces 100kW of power and 300Nm of torque. Priced from $50,400, the CLA200 CDI can return a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.7 litres per 100km.When it lands here in July, the CLA250 will be priced from $64,900. It is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that sends 155kW and 350Nm through Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. The sprint from zero to 100km/h takes 6.6 seconds -- 0.1 seconds quicker than the front-drive CLA 250 variant that was previously planned to enter Aussie showrooms.The CLA-Class’ 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system drives the front wheels alone during normal driving conditions but can send up to 50 per cent of the engine’s power rearwards in more demanding situations. The CLA250 also features electrically operated and heated front leather sports seats, plus AMG body kit and performance ‘enhancements.’Stamoulis told Carsguide he expects the 250 will be the most popular CLA variant when it goes on sale. Given the 12- month wait time for the CLA45 AMG, Stamoulis also believes that some AMG customers will purchase the 250 Sport to use until their 265W weapon arrives. 

The New York motor show in April will see the announcement of which vehicle has won the 2014 World COTY, and there looks to be a tough -- and very varied -- field of finalists.Last year's winner was the Volkswagen Golf, which also took awards in pretty well every country on the globe. But this year it could be anything from the little electric BMW i3 to the offroading Jeep Cherokee and even the Citroen C4 peoplemover, judging by the shortlist.A panel of 69 motoring experts from around the world -- including Carsguide's Paul Gover and National Motoring Editor Joshua Dowling -- will choose the winner from: Audi A3, BMW 4 Series, BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Ford Fusion/Mondeo, Infiniti Q50, Jeep Cherokee, Lexus IS, Mazda3, Peugeot 308 and Skoda Octavia.The 10 finalists for the 2014 World Luxury Car are the Bentley Flying Spur, BMW X5, Cadillac ELR, Cadillac Escalade, Maserati Ghibli, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Porsche Macan, Range Rover Sport and Rolls-Royce Wraith.Due to a tie, there are 11 finalists for the 2014 World Performance Car: Alfa Romeo 4C, Audi RS 6 Avant, BMW M6 Gran Coupe, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Ferrari 458 Speciale, Ford Fiesta ST, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster, Mercedes-Benz A/CLA45 AMG, Porsche 911 GT3, Porsche 911 Turbo and Volkswagen Golf GTI.A separate panel of five 'green' experts will choose the 2014 World Green Car from Audi A3 Sportback e-tron (+ Audi e-gas), BMW i3, Honda Accord Hybrid, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Volkswagen XL1.Similarly, a panel of five design experts will decide on the 2014 World Car Design of the Year, from among: BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Mazda3, Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Volkswagen XL1.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Rumours of a hybrid drivetrain for Mitsubishi’s next-generation Evolution performance flagship are gaining momentum, with a new report by Japanese magazine Holiday Auto suggesting that the next Evo will maintain its traditional turbo petrol and all-wheel drive attributes with green-friendly plug-in hybrid power.According to the report, the Evo will benefit from technology developed for efficiency-focused models like the new plug-in Outlander SUV to improve on the current model’s combined fuel consumption of at least 10.1L/100km, while boosting performance to new levels.Porsche, McLaren and Ferrari have recently proven that the words performance and hybrid are not at all mutually exclusive with their 918 Spyder, P1, and LaFerrari fastest-ever models, and it’s only a matter of time before such tech trickles down to more affordable performance models like the Evo.The Mitsubishi is not the only bang-for bucks champion in line for hybridisation, with Nissan’s next GT-R also set to incorporate some form of efficiency-boosting electrification and Honda has confirmed a similar shift for its upcoming NSX.Holiday Auto suggests that the Evo will use a similar dual electric motor layout to the Outlander PHEV, but will ditch the SUV’s atmo 2.0-litre petrol engine for a smaller 1.1 litre turbo unit similar to that used by the XR and AR concepts shown in Tokyo recently.Mitsubishi is reportedly targeting outputs similar to a 3.0-litre aspirated engine for the Evo-spec 1100cc unit, which suggests something in the vicinity of 170kW, before electric power is factored in.   Such a 155kW/L specific output would mark a significant jump from the 108.6kW/L achieved from the 217kW 2.0-litre turbo unit in the existing Evo X, and exceed even the 133.1kW/L achieved by 265kW 2.0 litre four powering the Mercedes A45 and CLA45 AMG twins.Even with the Outlander PHEV’s dual 60kW electric motors, a circa-170kW petrol engine would have the potential to trounce the current Evo X, but these could be uprated in the pursuit of GT-R rivalling performance reported elsewhere.Also key to a hybrid Evo’s performance potential will be maintaining the Outlander PHEV’s battery system location ahead of the rear axle for the benefit of weight distribution.Other reports have suggested that the next Evolution will require a bespoke platform to deal with its unique packaging and performance demands, suggesting it could lose the Lancer name for the first time in the model’s history.Such a repositioning would mirror Nissan’s GT-R, which was distanced from the Skyline nameplate for the first time when the current R35 model launched in 2007.The next-generation Lancer is set to ride on a platform shared with the Renault-Nissan Alliance, but it is unclear whether this strategy extends to the mooted Evo replacement.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn

Clever engineers have squeezed an astonishing 265 kilowatts of power and 450 Nm of torque from a little 2.0-litre engine for the CLA45 AMG. The high-pressure petrol turbocharged engine is the most powerful four-cylinder mass production engine ever made, and is married to a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox muscled up to deliver uber-fast shifts. The all-wheel drive system feeds torque mainly to the front wheels under normal conditions, with the rear ones coming into play in just a tenth of a second when needed. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott Watch the Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG in action here.  

Mercedes-AMG has made its name on sharp-edged performance. And, until recently, that's involved cramming large-displacement engines under the hood. Now, surprisingly — representing a significant turnaround from some years ago — even AMG sees hybrid powertrains in its future. While BMW and Audi have been refocusing their performance efforts toward diesel engines, AMG chairman Ola Källenius told Edmunds that diesels don't deliver the aggressive characteristics of a gasoline engine. According to Källenius, AMG will produce a hybrid model “when the market is ready for it.” V12 engines can be offered for at least another five or six years, he says, but looking ahead we'll see a clear trend toward turbocharging and downsizing. Luckily, the executive points out, some of the development for F1 and production sports-car technology — especially concerning weight and materials — is converging. The new 2014 CLA45 AMG is already leading the performance division down a fresh path. With its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, making 265 kW, pushes the kilowatts-per-litre limits of petrol engines, at present. Supplementing smaller turbocharged engines with electric motor systems could, if properly tuned, provide a compelling powertrain for future performance models. AMG has a rich history of thoroughly re-engineering or reworking engines, transmissions, and every core component for a sharper, more satisfying driving experience, and by the time such models arrive, we fully expect the same here. www.motorauthority.com  

The New York motor show next week won't have as many impressive global debuts as Geneva did, but it will host the debut of one of the most anticipated cars of the year: the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG.The CLA45 AMG offers a more aggressive, aero-treated take on the standard CLA Class exterior, and a more Alcantara-and-carbon-fibered take on the interior. From every angle, inside and out, the photos, posted by Autoblog's Spanish counterpart, show it's a well-executed look.Better yet is the potency packed into this pint-sized four-door coupe. As Mercedes-AMG confirmed to us in Geneva, the CLA45 AMG will pack 265 kW, hit 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, and cost less than $50,000 to start.www.motorauthority.com