Mercedes CLA45 AMG: New York Auto Show 2013

The Mercedes CLA 45 AMG – Mercedes 4-door swoopy coupe version of the A45 AMG – has been officially revealed at the 2013 New York Auto Show.

We actually revealed the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG almost two weeks ago, but Mercedes’ 4WD pocket rocket has now been officially unveiled at the 2013 New York Auto Show. And, as far as we can see, it’s a proper back to the future car.

There was a time when smallish, powerful, four-door cars were a big deal, but as time has gone on that’s changed, with only the Japanese left to fly the flag. Now, with the demise of the WRX, that’s ending too.

But the Mercedes CLA 45 picks up the baton and offers not just real performance – complete with the reassuring grip of 4MATIC 4WD – but does it in a high quality product with a proper upmarket look, both inside and out.

Power comes from a ridiculously able 2.0 litre turbo delivering 355bhp and 332lb/ft of torque which is delivered to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch AMG Speedshift ‘box with a choice of three driving modes – Comfort, Sport and Manual – complete with launch function.

Under the skin Mercedes has reworked and lowered the CLA’s McPherson Strut and multi-link suspension with new springs and dampers and extra camber, added Curve Dynamic Assist which provides additional agility, tweaked the steering for sharper responses and given the CLA 45 AMG beefy brakes. It’s a convincing package.

Mercedes CLA45 AMG Pictures

Cosmetically, there’s an AMG body kit with butch bumpers, bigger air intakes and purposeful sills, new AMG alloys, AMG instruments, leather sports seats, AMG steering wheel and aluminium trim inside, all conspiring to make the CLA 45 a compact version of the CLS 63 AMG.

At a starting price that will probably be in the region of £40k, the CLA 45 AMG isn’t cheap, but when you look at what’s on offer it’s something of a performance bargain, and all wrapped up in an appealing body with a quality interior.