Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake

45 AMG versions are from a normal Mercedes-Benz years ago, and identify the sportiest and best performance of the German manufacturer compact. AMG, one of the most prestigious coaches in the world, has always been in the orbit of Mercedes-Benz, first as an independent company and for some years now definitively linked to the German manufacturer. From its facilities near Stuttgart out major sports, fruit of constant improvement work and research can know in this report.

AMG has, above all, a reputation as a coach of high performance engines. For this model and all its derivatives previous bodywork (Class A, CLA Coupe and GLA) has been able to develop the most powerful four-cylinder produced in series, a two liter gives 360 hp and we can see under the hood of A45 AMG The CLA and GLA 45 AMG 45 AMG.

Now 45 AMG family has a new member: CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake. This family-coupe we present a few days after contact in Germany ago variant could not be an exception, and also offers its customers in favor of cars with extremely dynamic and attractive aesthetics and sports performance 45 AMG version.

It is not the first time I drive an AMG version of Mercedes-Benz, and hopefully not the last. I must admit that whenever I turn to an international brand presentation, I show a special interest in conducting this variant Racing. It is easy to understand, as there are few cars that know how to combine in a way so successful driving comfort with great features.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake is designed to be exploited in a country like this. It is able to take you from one point to another very quickly and with a sense of poise worthy of a racing car. Its top speed is limited to 250 km / h, and reaches in few seconds. In fact, to get from standstill to 100 km / h requires only 4.7 seconds. And from there, the engine continues to accelerate with the strength that gives you the boost pressure of the turbocharger and efficacy of multiple injection system.

That same sense of thrust and speed could have it in a circuit, a place where the Shooting Brake also need to be comfortable. Its powerful engine is accompanied by a modified AMG to live up to the performance required of him chassis. Equip a sports suspension with stiffer springs and dampers and stabilizer bars thicker. As a detail, note that the shafts mounted special bearings, influencing both the driving behavior and directional, which is very straightforward. Upon slightest hint, the car turns fast, accurate, and unbalanced at all.

The preparation of the chassis is completed by a team of ventilated disc brakes and drilled in both axes. As aesthetic detail, these brakes can be ordered with painted red calipers and the distinctive AMG in black.

More Racing, but not radical

 

The changes are significant with respect to any other version of CLA Shooting Brake. In the presentation I had the opportunity to compare the feelings between AMG and the petrol version immediately below the CLA 250 Shooting Brake with 211 hp and slightly Sports dyes. It is clear, CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake lives up to its acronym and is presented as more exciting sport riding, basically because it brings confidence and feelings it conveys.

From the moment when you get in the car and put your hands on the wheel Sheepskin, flattened at the bottom and fringe position included, and you sense that this is another car. The steering is very direct, suspensions are rigid, the engine calls for more "war" and change SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed AMG, with three driving programs, just round the set with behavior very "racing". In position "S" or "M", this automatic transitions between gears in milliseconds, avoiding wasting revving the engine, without interrupting the engine thrust as you would expect from a good double clutch.

In addition, AMG has wisely decided to accompany the operation of this change with a throaty exhaust sound very exciting, sporty position whenever you connect. Accelerate and change gears using the paddles while cornering traded's a nice feeling for those who likes cars with sporty character.

If you just want to experience these feelings from time to time, the 45 AMG Shooting Brake also leaves out with complete smoothness and quietness of operation. With the change in position "C" their behavior fits into a quiet style of driving, which also favors a lower consumption of fuel. According to Mercedes-Benz, the official average consumption of this AMG version stays at 6.9 liters / 100 km.

Now this sportier version is not as comfortable as the version of a little less powerful petrol, the CLA 250 Shooting Brake. The suspensions are too rigid weighed in certain circumstances. For example, in some bumpy roads or in overcoming the typical reducing speed bumps. It is the small toll to be paid to have a Mercedes-Benz with AMG stands at the gate.

The preparation was completed with an all-wheel drive 4Matic AMG Performance, which becomes a variant of the traction 4Matic Mercedes-Benz but with a variable torque distribution somewhat different. Mercedes-Benz says a multi-plate clutch located on the rear axle (for optimum weight distribution) is responsible for distributing drive torque between axles, so that when the car loses traction on the front axle can potentially transmit up 50% aa torque for balancing the rear running wheels.

As you can see, the hand of AMG is perceived throughout the kinematic chain is somewhat special version. It is also present on the exterior aesthetics and some details of the interior. You can recognize a CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake by distinctive in the grille, front fenders and tailgate, the skirt characteristic front of the AMG brand splitter color, side skirts with inserts titanium matte gray.

More personal Interior

Inside, normally in a Mercedes-AMG sports seats upholstered in faux leather and microfiber with contrasting red stitching, sports steering wheel with flat bottom section, air vents with red hoops, information system with AMG menu with RACETIMER and home screen AMG, among other details.

The entire atmosphere in the cabin is very sporty and pleasant, thanks to the remarkable finish everything and the quality of the materials used.

In the same way that the rest of the CLA Shooting Brake range, this derivation AMG can also be ordered with special decoration OrangeArtEdition, with many details in orange grille, mirrors, decorative moldings rear spoiler, tires, seat covers, among others.

The price of CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake is € 63,750, almost double what it costs the most basic version of the CLA Shooting Brake range petrol engine 122 hp. Are not comparable over and over, and can thus get an idea of ​​how much this top end version claimed exclusivity.