A four-door coupe shooting brake.
There are a lot of trends in the automotive world right now that are as hot as the latest clothing lines for spring. Four-door coupes, coupe-like sporty crossovers, and shooting brakes are what’s in style on the road and Mercedes-Benz has another hit according to the latest trends with the CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake.
Just like its older sibling, the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake, the new Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake is a blend of performance, luxury, and practicality with a sleek, five-door, coupe-like design.
“The continued high demand for our high-power compact models more than justifies our decision to launch another exceptionally dynamic high-performance car in the form of the new CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake,” remarked Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. “This means that Mercedes-AMG now boasts the most varied model line-up in this segment. The CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake serves up an enthralling blend of supreme power and dynamic handling on the one hand plus efficiency and everyday practicality on the other, all beautifully packaged within an extraordinary design.”
The new Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG is, as some enthusiasts would argue, better than the standard form of the four-door coupe. The athletic look provided by Mercedes-AMG is worn atop of a sloping roofline that slopes downwards at the rear, ending at the lower portion of the diffuser, creating more luggage space and headroom for the shooting brake.
The front fascia of the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG is typical of the performance division of the German automaker. A unique radiator grille with AMG letting and matte titanium grey finish sit atop of a bolder bumper with contrasting splitter and larger air intakes with black surrounds. More prominent side sills with matte titanium grey inserts and “Turbo AMG” badges on the front fenders add a more dynamic look to the sweeping profile of the shooting brake.
At the rear sits a new roof spoiler with trailing edge that is unique to the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake, and extends three centimeters outwards to generate downforce at high speeds. Protruding from the matte titanium grey trim integrated into the rear apron with simulated air outlet openings are chromed twin tailpipes on either side.
Backing up the athletic and powerful looks on the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake is the award-winning, hand-built AMG 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four cylinder engine – the most powerful of its kind in production. Loaded with all sorts of technology and 26.1 (1.8 BAR) of boost pressure, the 2.0-liter inline-four produces 360 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 332 lb-ft. of torque from 2,250 to 5,000 RPM. This helps the shooting brake hit 62 mph in just 4.7 seconds from rest and a 155 mph electronically-limited top speed.
The potent turbo-four is mated to the AMG Speedshift DCT 7-speed sports dual-clutch transmission with three driving modes, a double-declutching function, and Race Start function for those that want to accelerate as quickly as possible. Driving the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake is the AMG Performance 4Matic all-wheel drive system. Under normal driving conditions, only the front wheels are engaged, however torque can be distributed up to a 50:50 split between axles. A two-part propeller shaft connects the engine to the rear axle. An electrohydraulically-controlled multiple-disc clutch is integrated into the rear axle and a multiple-disc clutch control up front work in harmony to ensure maximum traction and driving dynamics in any given situation.
The advanced drivetrain components work alongside the AMG chassis to provide the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake with athletic dynamics despite its bigger interior proportions and five-door design. Independent steering knuckles with specially-configured elasktokinematics are controlled through the AMG Sport speed-sensitive steering system. AMG-tuned springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars sharpen up handling and reduce body roll for more agile cornering. Behind either the 8.0 x 19 or 8.0 x 18 five-spoke, lightweight alloy, titanium-finished wheels sit high-performance brakes with vented and cross-drilled discs to stop instantly.
The practical, sporty, and luxurious interior of the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake is perfect for everyday driving duties. The greater headroom and luggage space is complemented by new sport seats wearing Artico man-made leather with Dinamica microfiber, red contrasting stitching, and red seat belts. A flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel and sportier, two-tube instrument cluster stare towards the driver. The central color display with AMG main menu features a Racetimer and AMG start-up screen to display performance data while driving. Longitundinally-brushed aluminum trim, five galvanized air vents with red ring surrounds, AMG door mats, and AMG door sill panels in brushed stainless steel decorate the front cabin and provide a fresh performance look.
The new Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake will make its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2015 alongside the standard CLA Shooting Brake model. Deliveries for the newest AMG model will also start in March of 2015.
Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake Specifications
Engine:
Displacement: 2.0 liters
Number of Cylinders: Inline four
Aspiration: Turbocharged
Maximum Boost Pressure: 1.8 BAR / 26.1 PSI
Maximum Horsepower: 360 / 265 kW at 6,000 RPM
Maximum Torque: 332 lb-ft. / 450 Nm from 2,250 to 5,000 RPM
Output per Liter of Displacement: 181 hp/liter
Transmission:
Type: AMG Speedshift DCT 7-Speed
Drive: AMG Performance 4Matic all-wheel
Performance:
Acceleration 0-62 mph: 4.7 seconds
Top Speed: 250 km/h / 155 mph (electronically limited)
Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake Gallery
Source: Mercedes-AMG
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake the ultimate everyday AMG model?
