If you liked the Mercedes CLA which debuted at the Detroit Motor Show, you must wait to see what Mercedes has in store for us at the New York Motor Show in March.
In an “extended cut” version of the CLA’s Super Bowl ad which aired in America, Mercedes USA confirmed the launch of the AMG variant of the CLA called the CLA45 AMG at the New York Auto Show in March.
This shouldn’t come as a shocker because the CLA’s aggressive design language was destined to be mated to AMG’s raw power for a match made in heaven.
Early reports suggest that the CLA45 AMG will be powered by 2.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine developing 350 hp and 450 Nm of torque. The engine will be mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission for quicker gear changes. Power will be delivered to all four wheels via Mercedes’s 4Matic AWD system. The 0-100 km/h sprint will happen in about 5 seconds and it should be capable of reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.
Being an AMG variant, it will benefit from stiffened suspension, stronger brakes, sports exhaust systems, aero body kit along with a sportier interior. To keep the environmentalist happy, it will also come with fuel-saving technologies such as brake energy recuperation and an auto stop-start feature.
Standard equipment should include premium features such as Collision Prevention Assist, Attention Assist, and Mbrace2 internet-connected telematics. The price tag is estimated to be in the range of USD 30,000 to USD 40,000.
Mercedes-Benz India’s MD & CEO Mr. Eberhard Kern told Indian Autos Blog last week that the CLA45 AMG has a perfect engine making it a revolutionary car. Although the CEO is really keen to introduce the AMG variant of the CLA in India, he not sure whether the Indian road conditions would be right for the AMG’s hard ride and low ground clearance.
Nonetheless, he believes that the CLA45 AMG would certainly interest young Indian executives who want to blow their bonuses on something exquisite.
[Source: blog.caranddriver.com]
