You know that feeling when you think a car couldn’t possibly get any better, and then the engineers decide to throw everything at it anyway? That’s exactly what’s happened with the new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+.
The Numbers Are Unnerving
This compact sports car delivers [500 kW (680 hp) of peak power and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds]. Not exactly what you’d expect from a sleek sedan that fits in a normal car park! The secret sauce? Three revolutionary axial flux motors (two on the rear axle and one on the front axle) that work together to create what Mercedes-AMG calls “a new dimension of electric performance.”
This is the kind of performance jump that reminds you why electric motors are genuinely game-changing for the automotive world.
Energy consumption combined: 18.7–16.5 kWh/100 km | Combined CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km | CO₂ class: A
Axial Flux Explained (kind of)
Those three axial flux motors are as compact as they are revolutionary, combining to deliver peak output of 500 kW (680 hp) and can deliver full power repeatedly whenever required.
Here’s what makes them so special. The electromagnetic flux is aligned parallel to the motor’s axis, with the stator enclosed on the left and right by two rotors in a sandwich-like structure (H-configuration). This design allows for ideal magnetic flux transfer, and the result is genuinely slim motors that pack serious punch. The front axle motor is just nine centimetres wide, while the two rear-axle motors measure around eight centimetres each.
The three completely independent axial flux motors allow for maximum variable torque distribution between the front and rear wheels, with drive torque also distributable individually between the two rear wheels through torque vectoring. This creates a fully variable all-wheel drive system that’s not just safer, it’s (apparently) genuinely more fun to drive.
Performance Features That Actually Matter
Active Aerodynamics – As a first in its class, the active rear spoiler on the saloon and roof-edge spoiler on the Shooting Brake optimise the aero balance and consequently the vehicle’s efficiency and dynamism. These are functional performance enhancers that make a real difference.
The Suspension That Adapts to You – The AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension features adaptive three-way damping with three modes “Comfort”, “Sport”, and “AMGFORCE S+”. The damping force on each wheel adapts to the driving situation in milliseconds, delivering what Mercedes-AMG calls “intelligent dynamics in action.”
That Combustion Engine Feel (Without the Engine) – In the AMGFORCE S+ driving mode, the CLA 45 4MATIC+ delivers an authentic, AMG typical combustion engine experience with the characteristic sound of a high-performance AMG four-cylinder engine, coupled with haptic feedback including interruption of traction during simulated gear changes. It’s the emotional thrill of a traditional performance car wrapped in electric efficiency.
Range and Charging – They Didn’t Forget About Practicality
The CLA 45 4MATIC+ offers over 670 kilometres of WLTP range for the saloon and 640 kilometres for the Shooting Brake, basically, the distance between Berlin and Vienna. That’s the kind of range that makes long-distance travel genuinely stress-free.
Aaaand, thanks to its 800-volt architecture, the car charges at up to 330 kW and manages the charging process from 10 to 80 percent in just 22 minutes. More impressively, in just ten minutes, enough power is supplied to provide a range of over 270 kilometres. The multi-source heat pump preheats the battery while driving if navigation with Electric Intelligence is activated, ensuring optimum temperature for fast charging.
The Battery That Makes It All Possible
The CLA 45 4MATIC+ draws power from a lithium-ion battery with a usable energy capacity of 94 kWh, featuring anodes with silicon oxide mixed with graphite. This tech allows for a 20 percent increase in gravimetric energy density compared with conventional graphite-only anodes. The 800-volt technology reduces weight through lighter cabling, enables higher continuous power output, and significantly reduces charging losses via the charging cable.
Design That Screams Performance
Whether you choose the saloon or Shooting Brake, the CLA 45 4MATIC+ boasts the expressive AMG look, featuring an AMG specific front end available with an optional illuminated grille and an AMG specific design at the rear with diffuser-style elements. Inside, AMG specific components such as Performance seats, an AMG steering wheel, exclusive trim elements and high-quality upholstery create a focused, driver-oriented racing atmosphere.
Seven Drive Modes for Seven Different Moods
You can choose between seven drive modes using AMG DYNAMIC SELECT, ranging from efficient and comfortable to suitable for track days. Want to be responsible? There’s a mode for that. Want to attack the nearest mountain road? Absolutely covered.
The Pedigree Factor
It’s worth noting that the vehicle shares its architecture with a Mercedes-Benz sister model that was named “Car of the Year 2026” by the European Car of the Year jury and was the safest car tested by Euro NCAP in 2025. So you’re getting genuinely innovative performance wrapped in proven safety and practicality.
Tarmac Takeaway
The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ represents a genuine shift in what’s possible for compact performance cars. At market launch, the new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ will be available in two versions: as a saloon and as a Shooting Brake. Three motors, electric efficiency, supercar acceleration, and genuine everyday practicality all wrapped up in a package that looks absolutely stunning.
