MERCEDES-AMG CLA-Class Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

For those who didn't really want the hard-core version of the CLA 45 Coupe, the German automaker had made the 35, which still posted an under five seconds 0 to 62 mph (0-100 kph) time.

Introduced in January 2023 for the 2024 model year, the facelifted version of the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Coupe came with a few improvements on the exterior, interior, and under the hood. Even though it was powered by the same turbocharged powerplant as its non-facelifted sibling, it was helped by a belt-driven starter generator.

The car came fitted with a similar-looking Panamericana grille like its more powerful sibling, the 45 S 4Matic+. Mercedes-AMG made just small changes between these models, with the lesser-powered sibling featuring fewer add-ons on the bumper and sides. A significant difference was on the wheels, where the lesser-powered sibling sported ten-spoke, 18" light-alloy wheels, whereas the 45 S 4Matic+ came fitted with a set of five-spoke 19" ones. Just like the rest of the CLA range, whether we're talking about Mercedes-Benz or the Mercedes-AMG, all of them came with new and improved LED headlights.

Inside, the AMG 35 received new colors for the upholstery with either gray-black or red-black combinations. The sports seats with high-bolstered areas were also offered in the standard package, and so were the two 10.25" screens that adorned the top of the dash, where one was used for the instrument panel and the other for the infotainment system.

Under the hood, beside the belt-driven starter-generator, stood the same transversely-mounted inline-four turbocharged powerplant that sent the power in all corners via a new AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8G automatic (dual-clutch) gearbox. Thus, it shaved .1 of a second when compared o its predecessor, reaching the first 100 kph (62 mph) from dead still in 4.8 seconds.

The German automaker introduced the first generation of the CLA 45 S4Matic+ in 2019 as the top-of-the-range version of the compact four-door coupe built by Mercedes-AMG.

Come 2023, Mercedes-AMG launched the facelifted version of the sporty sedan, and besides refreshing the vehicle's exterior, it also updated the interior and the underpinnings. Thus, the AMG CLA 45 S 4Matic+ became faster.

Mercedes-AMG didn't have enough with that Panamericana grille that was showcased on many of its models. After all, it had already become a signature for the automaker, so it installed it on the facelifted version of the CLA. But since it shared its LED headlights with the regular Mercedes-Benz CLA, it had to slightly alter the front bumper's shape. At the back, under the bumper, the automaker kept the four-exhaust system from its predecessor.

Inside the cabin, just like the rest of the CLA range produced by Mercedes-Benz, the AMG sibling offered a luxurious yet sporty ambiance. Fronting the driver was a 10.25" display for the instrument panel, and was continued on the side, above the center stack, by a similarly sized touchscreen. Unfortunately, like on the non-facelifted version, the rear bench was profiled for two, and the headroom could have been better.

For the 45 S 4Matic +, the automaker raised the speed limiter to 270 kph (168mph) from 250 kph (155 mph) on the previous model.

Unveiled just a few months before its Shooting Brake brother, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4Matic compact four-door coupe combines the same feeling of a sporty compact with the more ample space of a sedan, being almost as long as a C-Class but a lot sleeker looking.

Apart from the larger trunk space and frameless doors for an improved coupe look, the model is nearly identical regarding technical specs with both the Mercedes-AMG A 35 4Matic and the CLA 35 4Matic Shooting Brake.

The CLA 35 is therefore powered by a newly developed, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder based on the M 260 mill available in the W177 A-Class. Developing 306 horsepower and a healthy 400 Nm of torque from 3,000 rpm, the small but fierce engine can accelerate the elegant compact four-door coupe from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in just 4.9 seconds, onwards to an electronically limited top speed of 250 kph (155 mph).

Just all the other "35" models, the CLA 35 sends its power to all four wheels through a 4Matic all-wheel-drive system and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The torque distribution between the front and rear axles is infinitely variable from pure FWD to a 50:50 percent distribution to the front and rear, without benefitting from the same "drift mode" that is available on the more powerful Mercedes-AMG 45 models.

Mercedes-AMG stirred the market of premium sport compact sedans when it launched the CLA 45 and the CLA 45+ series in 2019, battling for the title of the sportiest vehicle in its segment against the Audi S3 Sedan. On the other hand, BMW didn't have a four-door vehicle in the segment with similar performance.

When the three-pointed star brand brought back the four-door coupe shape in 2004 with the CLS lineup. Later, it expanded the concept with the smaller-sized A-Class that morphed from an MPV-shaped to a hatchback and then into a four-door coupe. Since Mercedes-Benz had already introduced the AMG lineup as a distinct brand, known as Mercedes-AMG, it felt natural for it to create an AMG version for its smallest four-door vehicle available. As a result, in 2019, the newly formed brand introduced the CLA 45 and the CLA 45+ models.

At the front, the CLA 45 and the CLA 45+ featured the AMG-specific Panamericana grille with twelve vertical slats where the carmaker's badge took center stage. The swept-back headlights featuring LED daytime running lights and LED lamps amplified the aggressive look of the vehicle. In addition, the apron sported the A-shaped AMG grille flanked by big functional side scoops fitted with piano-black trims. From its profile, the CLA 45+ showed its distinct-looking and aerodynamically profiled side skirts. To further emphasize the car's sporty character, the automaker installed standard 18" light-alloy wheels with a ten-spoke design, while a set of 19" alloys was on the options list. At the back, the sloped-down trunk lid had a lip spoiler. On the rear fascia, the automaker boldly installed four round exhausts that peaked under the bumper, flanking a four-slat diffuser.

Inside, the CLA 45+ carried over some features from its sibling, the Mercedes-Benz CLA, such as the twin-display for the instrument cluster and the infotainment system placed above the dashboard. Unlike that, the sportiest model in the CLA range had a flat-bottom three-spoke steering wheel wrapped in DINAMICA microfiber, while the upholstery was from man-made ARTICO leather. Surprisingly, Mercedes-AMG didn't put carbon fiber trims on the inside. It chose aluminum and piano-black ones that emphasized the luxurious side of the vehicle. The high-bolstered bucket seats at the front were available with integrated headrests. The bench seat was profiled for two at the back but featured three three-point seat belts.

Under the hood, the automaker installed the most powerful inline-four, two-liter engine on the market. Thanks to a ball-bearing turbocharger, the powerplant sent to the eight-speed automatic (dual-clutch) SPPEDSHIFT gearbox 387 HP (387 PS) for the CLA 45 and 415 HP (421 PS) for the CLA 45+, respectively. Power went in all corners via an AMG Torque-control system with active differentials. Unlike most other Mercedes-Benz cars, which were limited to 250 kph (155 MPH), the CLA 45 and the CLA 45+ were available with a driver package that allowed them to reach up to 270 kph (168 MPH).

In 2016, Mercedes-Benz introduced a subtle mid-cycle facelift for its smallest four-door coupe, the CLA, which included several upgrades to the top-of-the-range AMG model, the 45.

Based on the A-Class underpinnings, from which it borrowed the engine lineup, the interior design, and even the wheelbase, the CLA was the only four-door coupe in its segment at the time, at least until BMW counterattacked with the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

With an overall exterior design reminiscent of the CLS, the CLA was also the shortest four-door model in the Mercedes-Benz lineup until the A-Class sedan emerged for the next generation.

Its swooping side profile didn't receive any visual updates, save for new alloy wheel designs, but the front end did get some minor modifications to the headlights and a new bumper design.

The entire front of the model was modernized thanks to a double-louver satin-metallic trim supporting the three-pointed star badge on the grille. The bumper featured a new A-shaped design with high-gloss black slats and optional splitters in matte titanium gray. The rear end only received a new trunk lid lip spoiler and differently shaped decorative rear vents on each side of the bumper.

The Sports AMG seats with integrated headrests and optional bucket seats were available without any modifications compared to its predecessor. The interior was complemented by a sports steering wheel with a flat brim and AMG emblems all over the seats, the gear shifter, the center console, and the wheel. As standard, the dashboard had Artico man-made leather on the dashboard and door panels.

In 45 AMG spec, the CLA was yet again the only one of its kind, with no direct rival. Despite this, the 2015 facelift also brought some extra power and performance. The model's renaming coincided with the mid-cycle facelift since the car switched from Mercedes-Benz to Mercedes-AMG branding. In other words, starting with the 2017 model year, it became known as the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 instead of the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG.

The 2.0-liter four-cylinder got a reworked turbocharger to deliver extra oomph, totaling 381 PS (376 HP) and 475 Nm (350 lb-ft) of torque. This made it once again the most powerful four-cylinder on the planet, alongside the similarly facelifted Mercedes-AMG A 45.

As before, power was delivered to all four wheels through a standard dual-clutch transmission, with a front limited-slip differential now optionally available. Thanks to the extra power, the facelift's acceleration from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) was 0.3 seconds quicker than that of the non-facelift version.

In addition to the monster engine, the CLA 45 also featured a tuned sports suspension with individually adjustable dampers and ventilated and cross-drilled disc brakes for increased stopping power.

Unlike the model that followed, the AWD system used a Haldex differential that could only send up to 50 percent of available torque to the rear wheels, so this generation did not offer a 'drift mode.'