Mercedes will provide a first look at the new CLA 45 AMG next week in New York.
We’ll have to say “cpacebo” to the Russian website that has kindly jumped the embargo and leaked out images of the new CLA 45 AMG. Set to debut at the New York Auto Show next week, it will become the smallest performance model in the Mercedes-Benz line-up.
The coupe-like CLA will be joining Mercedes’ U.S. line-up later this year, and observers are expecting big things, despite its diminutive size, considering the sedan’s distinctive styling, range of standard features and a starting price of less than $30,000.
But the CLA 45 AMG could target its own distinct niche among those who want an affordable luxury performance car. It’s expected to be powered by a 355-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. That will be mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
The CLA 45 will be the smallest offering from AMG available in the U.S. market.
Performance numbers are impressive, the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG expected to launch from 0 to 60 in less than five seconds, with its top speed electronically limited at 155 mph.
As the illustrations suggest, there’ll be a number of exterior and interior tweaks to differentiate the AMG model from the more mainstream offering. That includes modified bumpers front and rear, deeper side skirts, a front lip, distinctive AMG tires and gloss black trim. In back there’ll be unique exhaust pipes and a rear diffuser.
Bigger air scoops will improve engine breathing while the AMG package also will deliver larger front brake calipers and drilled rotors, also front and rear.
The CLA 45 AMG will feature distinctive tweaks, such as the carbon fiber interior trim.
Inside, look for carbon fiber trim pieces, distinctive red seatbelts and matching trim on the deeply bolstered sport seats.
Pricing is likely to push the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG somewhere above $40,000, with a well-equipped model nudging the $50,000 mark.
We’ll have to wait until New York to find out precisely when the CLA 45 AMG will reach the U.S. market but that’s almost certain to be some months after the 2014 model-year introduction of the base coupe-like CLA.