The Mercedes CLA45 AMG 4MATIC, yes, that is its full name, is, for now, the only version of the CLA-Class we will receive. The front-end is akin to the A-Class, but it loses the grille of diamonds and gets new headlamps and cosmetic bits which also serve as aerodynamic assistants at speed. The chiselled lines and sharp detailing make the car outstanding and unlike anything on the road; the baby-CLS four-door coupé that it is. The pronounced sloping roof and the way the lines blend into the tight rear with the rising boot-lip got me salivating. AMGs do that to me, but not always purely on external appeal.
Inside, the AMG racing seats are a snug fit and held me extremely well, if not bordering on a tight fit. However, the adjustable controls for bolster and thigh support were kind enough when maxxed out. The steering wheel has alcantara right where you grip it and that always puts a smile on my face. The console has a speedo marked up to 320 km/h – which infinitely reassures you that this is definitely an AMG. Even with the turbo-motor, the rev-counter is marked up to 8,000, but the redline is 6,250 RPM while the engine’s governed maximum speed is 6,700 RPM – just 100 short of the big 6.3 V8’s infamous number.
The equipment list is also quite long. From the big LCD screen for the COMAND system with hard-drive navigation to a number of connectivity options for smartphones and music-players, there is something to plug in or connect everywhere. The steering controls are kept simple and the gear lever is in the place you would not expect to find it in a Mercedes, in the centre, with AMG’s Affalterbach logo proudly adorning its leather-wrapped aluminium body.
Now on to the fun part. We were lucky enough to have the CLA45 with us on city roads as well on a track. And not just any track, we headed to the Buddh International Circuit. The former Formula 1 track has everything we need to put this mad little AMG through its paces.
