In case you missed it, last week was the reveal of the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. The CLA is Merc’s smallest sedan, and this new model is a big deal for the brand, debuting advanced new technologies, a more immersive cabin experience, and an impressive range estimate of up to 479 miles on the WLTP cycle. But for some, range isn’t as important as being racy, and that’s where this new AMG variant comes in.
Spied near the Arctic Circle where many European manufacturers conduct cold weather testing, the replacement for the AMG CLA 45 is almost here, and it’s showing off a spoiler that would not look out of place on the back of a 911 Carrera. This is much better than the crude device we spied previously.
Mercedes-AMG’s CLA Will Have Enough Power To Rival An M3
Just after the regular CLA was unveiled, a new report claimed that the AMG version is in development with more than 500 horsepower. According to our spies, 510 hp will be on offer for the most powerful variant of the electric sedan, which is considerably more than even a new BMW M3, which has 473 hp in manual form. However, the prototype you see here may be less potent than that.
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While the rear of the car shows an adaptive spoiler that hints at high performance, and while the black multi-spoke wheels and large red calipers confirm that this is the AMG model, the fact that the brake discs do not have holes drilled in them for cooling as most top-tier AMGs do. This suggests that we’re looking at the CLA 35, a slightly less extreme take on the AMG philosophy.
Next-Generation Motors Will Make This A Monster
The new AMG’s performance will be delivered by axial-flux motors created by YASA Limited, a company that has been at the forefront of electric motor technology since its inception in 2009 and which has been owned by Mercedes since 2021. These new motors were shown off on the 1,920-hp Vision One-Eleven concept in 2023, and the CLA will be the first production application thereof for the automaker, and this is big news.
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Parts of it will be used in upcoming production models.
YASA’s motors are three times smaller and three times lighter than traditional radial-flux motors, which are common in contemporary EVs. One motor can generate 480 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque on its own, so there’s plenty of potential beyond the 510-hp figure touted for the CLA. The axial-flux design is also far more efficient, and its diminutive size allows for more space that can be used on cargo, interior space for passengers, or a bigger battery with more range. With these sightings showing a nearly complete vehicle, we expect full details to be forthcoming within the next few months.
