The new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4Matic+ develops 680 HP and simulates a combustion engine through vibrations and sound
Mercedes-AMG has officially unveiled the new generation of the CLA performance version for the 2027 model year. The new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4Matic+ marks a complete break with the past, adopting a fully electric drive capable of performance that, until recently, was reserved exclusively for supercars. Available from launch in Sedan and Shooting Brake versions, the new model delivers a maximum output of 500 kW (680 hp) and sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds.
The car takes the architecture of the new Mercedes-Benz CLA – a model recently named "Car of the Year 2026" in Europe and declared the safest vehicle tested by Euro NCAP in 2025 – and transforms it into a track weapon adapted for the road.
Three axial flow motors with top technology
The source of this raw power is a revolutionary concept consisting of three axial-flow electric motors: one located on the front axle and two on the rear axle. This technology, which initially debuted in the top-of-the-range AMG GT 4-door Coupé, allows for a much higher power density compared to conventional electric motors. The components are extremely compact: the front motor is just 9 centimeters wide, while the rear units measure around 8 centimeters.
The motors are integrated into compact, oil-cooled High Performance Electric Drive Units (HP.EDU) and are controlled by silicon carbide (SiC) inverters, which are able to withstand extreme temperatures and voltages. The fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system distributes torque instantly between the axles and includes torque vectoring between the two rear wheels, providing millimetre-level stability when cornering or on surfaces with low grip.
AMGFORCE S+: The perfect illusion of the internal combustion engine
To preserve the brand's visceral character, the engineers in Affalterbach developed the AMGFORCE S+ driving mode. It promises a multi-sensory experience that simulates the behavior of a gasoline engine. Instead of creating synthetic noises, the acoustics team digitally recorded the real sound of a four-cylinder performance engine from the AMG A 45 S using 13 microphones and over 1,600 measurements.
A real-time mixing system reproduces the sound in the cabin according to the load, while special vibration devices (shakers) integrated into the sports seats generate tactile impulses that imitate the vibrations of the internal combustion engine and the mechanical shocks during gear changes. The transmission faithfully simulates the behavior of an AMG SPEEDSHIFT box, allowing the driver to “change gears” manually via paddles on the steering wheel.
Long-range autonomy and 800-volt architecture
The raw performance is supported by a lithium-ion battery with a usable capacity of 94 kWh, which uses graphite-mixed silicon dioxide anodes for a 20% higher energy density. The official range reaches over 670 kilometers for the Sedan version and 640 kilometers for the Shooting Brake.
Thanks to the 800-volt electrical architecture, the CLA 45 4Matic+ supports DC charging powers of up to 330 kW. A stop at an ultra-fast charging station to increase the battery level from 10% to 80% takes just 22 minutes, and a 10-minute quick charge adds a range of over 270 kilometers. Thermal efficiency is optimized by a multi-source heat pump that preconditions the battery before charging, using the residual heat of the powertrain.
Customizable dynamics and active aerodynamics
The AMG DYNAMIC SELECT system offers the driver seven driving modes: Slippery, Comfort, Sport, AMGFORCE S+, RACE, ECO and Individual. In ECO mode, the car becomes purely rear-wheel drive, completely disconnecting the front axle to minimize parasitic losses. In RACE mode, the system activates the Predictive Performance Manager (PPM), an algorithm that intelligently manages energy flows during a circuit lap (such as the Nürburgring or Spa, pre-installed in the car's system) in order to achieve the best time without prematurely depleting the battery resources. The AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension with three-way adaptive damping ensures rigorous body control at the limits of grip.
Dynamic performance is enhanced by advanced active aerodynamic systems. The active rear spoiler (or roof edge spoiler in the Shooting Brake variant) automatically changes its angle depending on the speed and the selected mode. In addition, the active radiator grilles in the front spoiler remain completely closed up to 250 km/h to reduce aerodynamic drag, opening in eight distinct stages only when the technical components require additional cooling.
Fourth generation technology with integrated AI
Inside, the CLA 45 4Matic+ introduces the fourth generation of the MBUX infotainment system, running on the new MB.OS software platform. This is the first in-car system to natively integrate artificial intelligence via ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing and Google Gemini, transforming the MBUX Virtual Assistant into a partner capable of complex and fluid conversations.
The exterior design retains the AMG identity elements, standing out through the Panamericana grille with 10 vertical chrome bars, the flared wings that house the 19 or 20-inch wheels and the optional elements from the AMG Night I and II packages finished in dark shades.
Do you think technological tricks like vibrating seats and a sound modeled after a real 2.0-liter engine will be enough to convince AMG purists to make the switch to fully electric propulsion?
Availability and estimated prices for the Romanian market
The new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4Matic+ will be available for order in Romania starting at the end of this year, with pre-orders scheduled to open in the last quarter. The first actual deliveries to customers and the arrival of the first units in showrooms in the country are scheduled for spring 2027. Both body styles, Sedan and Shooting Brake, will be available simultaneously at the start of sales.
Although the local Mercedes-Benz Romania representative office has not yet communicated the official list prices, the technological complexity and the massive leap in performance (from the 421 HP of the old thermal generation to the 680 HP of the new tri-motor system) will reposition the model in a higher price category.
- The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4Matic+ Sedan will have an estimated starting price of approximately 95,000 - 100,000 euros (VAT included).
- The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4Matic+ Shooting Brake will maintain the brand's tradition, imposing a design and utility surcharge of approximately 2,500 - 3,000 euros over the sedan version.
The higher configurations, which will include the absolutely necessary AMG DYNAMIC PLUS circuit package (with RACE program and Predictive Performance Manager function), AMG Performance seats with integrated shakers and the Night I and II aesthetic packages, will quickly raise the final price of the car above the 115,000 euro threshold.
The model will benefit from the usual advantages of electric vehicles in the local market, including free parking in most major cities and exemption from annual car tax.
