Mercedes-Benz has launched two more cars in its performance-driven AMG lineup. This marks the 6th and 7th Mercedes-AMG cars in India in 2017 alone, after the likes of the AMG GT-R and the GLC 43 coupe. The two new AMG cars include the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC sedan, and the GLA 45 4MATIC SUV. Both are powered by the same 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder gasoline engine that Mercedes was quick to point out is the most powerful 2.0-litre series production engine in the world. To combine with that, both the new AMG cars are also equipped with identical and fairly comprehensive technology packages.
Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC
The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 performance sedan looks identical to the entry-segment Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 sedan, which is to say that it looks absolutely and incredibly gorgeous. With a sloping, coupe-like roofline, an aggressively slouched stance and frameless doors, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 truly feels and looks like something special, befitting its hefty pricing and positioning in the luxury car market.
Inside, the technology package is powered by a smaller version of Mercedes' Comand infotainment system. It does not get the large format display or handwriting-recognising touchpad on the central console. However, it still remains quite commendable for the amount of features that it offers. You get the standard set of features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, built-in sat-nav, connectivity modes (Bluetooth, aux, USB, SD card) and seat and climate controls, along with thorough customisability of driving dynamics.
You can adjust everything from steering to throttle response, suspension balance and more, and that is what makes this gorgeous AMG versatile too. You also get a small circular selector and toggle, along with two buttons to exit a particular setting and a customisable key to instantly select your most-accessed feature of the system.
The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 also does not get the Burmester audio setup that adorns the Mercedes-Benz limousines. However, it does retain the ambient lighting package, the highlight of which is the glowing red shade that matches the red contrast stitching and red-adorned turbine air conditioner vents. This car is all about performance, and Mercedes is not too shy to flaunt it.
Talking about performance, the AMG CLA 45 4MATIC sedan is powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder engine that produces 376bhp of maximum power and a staggering 475Nm of torque. This is paired with a performance-tuned 7-speed DCT gearbox, designed specifically for quick shifts for rapid acceleration. The top speed is electronically limited to 250kph, and the CLA 45 can sprint from 0-100kph in just 4.2s.
The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 also comes in a gloss black 'aero edition', which gets a muted racing stripe along with neon yellow trims on the front air intake slats and rear to match with the gloss black paint. If this does not steal your heart, not much else truly will.
The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 is priced at Rs. 75,20,000, while the aero edition is priced at Rs. 77,69,000 (ex-showroom, pan-India). If you're indeed planning on buying one, we insist you pick up the aero edition, which is breathtakingly gorgeous.
Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC
While the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 SUV is in no way a lesser car than the CLA 45, it does not look as instinctively gorgeous as its sedan counterpart. That, though, is not a failure – the sedan is just a bit too gorgeous for the SUV to outshine it.
The SUV has a nicely planted stance, and the large tyres will certainly aid high speed commutes along highways. The coupe-like roofline aids aerodynamics, and the GLA 45 aero edition also includes the contrast-coloured aero slats and skirts, which make it look quite aggressive.
The technology package is practically the same as the CLA 45, including the door-mounted seat adjustments, the drive mode selectors and the infotainment system with the vertically-mounted fullscape number pad. The infotainment dash does look a little aged in comparison to the snazzy exteriors, but it still remains functional.
The AMG GLA 45 SUV includes a panoramic sunroof to add roominess to the cabin. Since this is an AMG, space is not really its forte. As a result, you do get comfortable room to sit four, but the fifth passenger on the middle seat of the rear bench may not really be too comfortable.
The AMG GLA 45 comes with the same engine and transmission, with the suspension setup tuned for its own body weight. In terms of acceleration, it is only half-a-blink slower than the CLA 45, and reaches 100kph from standstill in just 4.4 seconds.
The Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 SUV is priced at Rs. 77,85,000, while the aero edition is priced at Rs. 80,67,000. We would probably pick the sleeker CLA 45 if we were to choose between one of the two new AMGs, but then again, most other buyers would tend to prefer the burlier SUV these days.
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Mercedes-AMG CLA 45
Mercedes-AMG GLA 45