Photo: SB-Medien
Despite being based on a front-wheel-drive platform, the all-new CLA 45 continues to look aggressive and well proportioned in our latest spyshots. This is indeed a budget version of the CLS 53.
We're still not 100% sure if we're supposed to call this the CLA 45, the CLA 50 or CLA 53. But it is undoubtedly the more hardcore version of two AMG models based on the CLA four-door coupe.
That presumption is based on the Panamericana grille design, a concave criss-cross of rectangles which all serious AMG models get. There's also going to be a CLA 35 or 40, but that's not going to get this look.
Something else we noticed on this prototype is that only one side, the right, has a cutout for a side air intake, meaning the other one is going to be a fake. It's not an uncommon feature. We still remember seeing it on the M235i coupe... when it was still called that.
The quad exhaust system is also specific to this version of the CLA and quite closely resembles the one on the CLS 53, as well as the E 53 models. But while all those feature inline-6 engines, the baby four-door coupe is going to get a transversally mounted four-cylinder.
An EQ boost configuration is said to pair this 2.0-liter with an electric motor and an electric supercharger to reduce turbo lag. In their most hardcore configuration, these will deliver over 400 horsepower to all four wheels.
You can think of the CLA 45 as a practical, efficient and very fast alternative to a Porsche Cayman. However, AMG would prefer if you see it as a standalone thing with its niche. The only other rival is the Audi RS3 sedan, though that's probably shorter.
While the prototype seems to have all its body bits in place, the amount of camouflage on it suggests its reveal is at least a year away. Next month, we should at least get a better look at AMG's entry-level lineup when the 340 horsepower A 35 debut in Paris.
We're still not 100% sure if we're supposed to call this the CLA 45, the CLA 50 or CLA 53. But it is undoubtedly the more hardcore version of two AMG models based on the CLA four-door coupe.
That presumption is based on the Panamericana grille design, a concave criss-cross of rectangles which all serious AMG models get. There's also going to be a CLA 35 or 40, but that's not going to get this look.
Something else we noticed on this prototype is that only one side, the right, has a cutout for a side air intake, meaning the other one is going to be a fake. It's not an uncommon feature. We still remember seeing it on the M235i coupe... when it was still called that.
The quad exhaust system is also specific to this version of the CLA and quite closely resembles the one on the CLS 53, as well as the E 53 models. But while all those feature inline-6 engines, the baby four-door coupe is going to get a transversally mounted four-cylinder.
An EQ boost configuration is said to pair this 2.0-liter with an electric motor and an electric supercharger to reduce turbo lag. In their most hardcore configuration, these will deliver over 400 horsepower to all four wheels.
You can think of the CLA 45 as a practical, efficient and very fast alternative to a Porsche Cayman. However, AMG would prefer if you see it as a standalone thing with its niche. The only other rival is the Audi RS3 sedan, though that's probably shorter.
While the prototype seems to have all its body bits in place, the amount of camouflage on it suggests its reveal is at least a year away. Next month, we should at least get a better look at AMG's entry-level lineup when the 340 horsepower A 35 debut in Paris.
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