Mercedes-Benz launches its compact performance sedan CLA 45 AMG in India
The CLA 45 AMG boasts of the award winning ‘Most Powerful four-cylinder series production engine in the world’ and it is for the first time in the history of the AMG brand, that a high-performance car powered by a four-cylinder engine is introduced.
Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India commented, “The launch of the CLA 45 AMG in India is a significant step forward towards the evolution of performance driving in the country. We are extremely delighted to introduce the first ever four-cylinder AMG in India and are confident that the CLA 45 AMG with its fascinatingly sporty design, scintillating driving experience impressive craftsmanship and individuality; will be a resounding success among our young customer groups.”
The CLA 45 AMG meets the rising demand among a growing young customer base for a stylish and high performance car which makes a strong personal style statement adding practicality of everyday use simultaneously. It is the seventh AMG product available in the Indian market and signifies the growing penchant for the performance sedan segment in India.
Exterior styling and design:
The CLA 45 AMG is distinguished with an unmistakable sporty design, dynamic styling and sculpted form, with AMG’s hallmark muscular features. The ‘twin blade’ radiator grille in the front encompasses the central Three Pointed Star. Three distinct openings in the front fascia enable an effective flow of air to the cooling modules; the outer black flics further optimise the air ducting. A distinctive front splitter is situated at the bottom end of the central cooling air opening. Standard equipment includes bi-xenon headlamps. The side view features lines that blend perfectly with the side sill panels and the inserts are in matt titanium grey. The “TURBO AMG” lettering on the wing is an additional distinguishing feature of the CLA 45 AMG. The CLA 45 AMG features 5-spoke light-alloy wheels 45.7 cm (18-inch) AMG 5-twin-spoke two tone light-alloy wheels in titanium grey finish.
AMG Body styling: The distinctive AMG body styling ensures a dynamic appearance from any angle the car is viewed from. Exterior design elements include front apron with inserts in front splitter in matt titanium grey, rear apron with trim in matt titanium grey and side sill panels with inserts in matt titanium grey.
AMG high-performance braking system with brake calipers lacquered in red visually highlights the performance of braking system. The CLA 45 AMG also owes much of its excellent dynamic handling to the AMG high-performance braking system. Vented, cross-drilled and grooved disc brakes are fitted on the front and rear axle. The front axle features 4-piston aluminium fixed calipers, while the rear axle has single-piston combination calipers.
Sporty interiors:
An AMG start-up screen greets you on the centrally positioned TFT colour display. The sporty instrument cluster features round black dials, carbon-fibre design, silver/red needles and an attractive speedometer. The central display provides the driver with information using three modes: “Warm Up” indicates the engine oil, coolant and transmission oil temperatures; “Set Up” indicates the current ESP® mode and the transmission mode (“C”, “S” or “M”); the “RACE” menu includes the RACETIMER, which the driver can use to record lap times on a racetrack. The permanent gear indicator in “M” mode helps when a sporty driving style is adopted. The separate gear indicator above the central display is an additional source of information for the driver: it includes a clear gearshift recommendation with a colored arrow symbol, thus helping to save fuel.
The CLA 45 AMG’s interior features AMG Performance Seats, AMG Performance Steering Wheel and Panoramic sliding sunroof. The sportiness of the CLA 45 AMG’s interiors are also accentuated by the AMG floor mats and illuminated door sill panels with “AMG” lettering which lend an exclusive character to CLA 45 AMG. The red designo seats belts of the CLA 45 AMG completes the sportiness of the interiors.
Engine and Transmission:
The award winning AMG 2.0-litre turbo engine is the most powerful four-cylinder series-production engine in the world. A maximum output of 265 kW and up to 450 Nm of torque are unmatched by any other mass-produced turbocharged four-cylinder engine worldwide. The high output and torque coupled with the performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive fitted as standard make for extremely dynamic performance: the CLA 45 AMG completes a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited).
The CLA 45 AMG’s AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission transfers the engine power to all the four wheels. The dual clutch transmission is flange-mounted on the transversely installed AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine and features seven gears, three modes, a double-declutching function and RACE START function which can be activated by pulling on both shift paddles simultaneously, thus providing extremely fast sprints with no interruption of tractive power resulting in optimum acceleration. It also boasts of low weight, high efficiency, and exemplary variability, spontaneous gear changes without any interruption in tractive power and smooth, easy gear shifting. Key software modules have been adopted from the SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG Coupé Black Series with their inspirational power transmission concepts. The three transmission modes which feature the CLA 45 AMG are “C – Controlled Efficiency”, “S – Sport” and “M – Manual”.
The Controlled Efficiency mode is configured for most fuel-efficient drive. The car also has a ECO start/stop function in this mode. The Sport mode has sporty gear-shift characteristics with shorter shift times, while the Manual mode has extremely fast manual shift times using the steering wheel shift paddles.
AMG sports suspension: With an independently developed AMG front and rear axle, the AMG sports suspension of the CLA 45 AMG boasts the ideal attributes for fast cornering speeds and agile handling. All of the components are matched to provide high lateral acceleration and a reduced tendency to roll. The AMG sports suspension with specifically tuned spring/damper units and larger anti-roll bars provides for high lateral acceleration and a reduced rolling tendency in fast double bends.
AMG performance 4MATIC with 4ETS: This innovative variant of the 4MATIC all-wheel drive of the CLA 45 AMG provides for an ideal combination of driving dynamism, traction and efficiency irrespective of myriad driving situation. This is made possible by fully variable torque distribution, ranging from front drive only to a 50:50 split. The CLA 45 AMG is equipped with performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive as standard.
Safety features:
The CLA 45 AMG is one of the safest vehicles on Indian roads having best-in-class safety features and equipment list. From bi-xenon headlamps to PRE-SAFE® system, from tyre pressure loss monitoring system to the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) including ESP® Curve Dynamic Assist; the CLA 45 AMG prioritizes the renowned Mercedes-Benz safety aspects. It comes with 7 airbags.
3-stage ESP® with ESP® Curve Dynamic Assist:
An exclusive feature in the CLA 45 AMG is the interaction of the AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive with the 3-stage ESP® and the ESP® Curve Dynamic Assist. The three ESP® stages enable the driver to vary the dynamics of the CLA 45 AMG at the push of a button. The safety-oriented “ESP ON” mode supports the driver in maintaining neutral handling characteristics. The system initiates braking intervention on one or more wheels and reduces the engine torque on detecting that the operating conditions are becoming unstable. “ESP SPORTS HANDLING MODE” permits greater drift angles in the interest of sportier handling, greater drive torque is delivered to rear axle in this mode. “ESP OFF” mode is activated when driver gives the ESP button a long press. In this mode the engine torque is no longer reduced, thereby enhancing the driving dynamics. This mode should be used only by experienced drivers on dedicated race track. Curve Dynamic Assist is likewise included as standard.
‘AH MY GOD’ CAMPAIGN:
To converse directly to the young, affluent, stylish Indian customers to whom the CLA 45 AMG is targeted, Mercedes-Benz India has launched a special communications campaign. The ‘Ah My God’ campaign is Mercedes-Benz India’s first ever India specific TVC. Watch the preview of the television commercial here:
