Mercedes-AMG has revealed pricing for its new electric performance flagship, the CLA 45 4MATIC+, bringing supercar-like acceleration, three electric motors and advanced axial-flux technology to the CLA lineup.
The high-performance electric sedan starts at €79,039 ($92,000) in Germany, while the CLA 45 4MATIC+ Shooting Brake is priced from €80,408 ($93,600). Both versions combine a 94-kWh battery with an 800-volt electrical architecture and AMG-specific performance technology.
The CLA 45 4MATIC+ sits at the top of Mercedes-Benz’s electric CLA range, above the existing CLA 200, CLA 250, CLA 250+, and CLA 350 4MATIC.
Its €79,039 starting price reflects the substantial performance upgrades AMG has made to the standard CLA platform. The Shooting Brake commands a slightly higher starting price of €80,408.
Performance is a major part of the equation. Mercedes-AMG says the CLA 45 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds, putting it firmly into high-performance territory.
The car’s electric powertrain uses three axial-flux motors, with two motors mounted at the rear and another powering the front wheels.
The rear axle can produce a combined 500 kW (680 hp), while the front motor can add up to 225 kW (306 hp) when additional traction or performance is required.
That setup enables AMG’s fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system. Torque can be continuously distributed between the front and rear axles, while torque vectoring allows power to be independently controlled at the rear wheels.
The result is a drivetrain designed to maximize traction while also improving cornering and stability.
Axial-Flux Motors Bring High Power Density
One of the most important technologies separating the CLA 45 from the regular electric CLA models is its axial-flux motor technology.
Unlike conventional radial-flux electric motors, axial-flux units are significantly more compact and can deliver a higher power-to-weight ratio. Mercedes-AMG is using the technology to combine strong acceleration with sustained performance.
The system is also designed to cope with repeated high-load driving, rather than simply delivering a strong burst of acceleration before performance is reduced.
That makes the CLA 45 particularly interesting as Mercedes-AMG continues moving its performance-car technology into the electric era.
Up to 670 km of WLTP Range
Despite its performance focus, the CLA 45 4MATIC+ is not sacrificing range.
A newly developed 94-kWh lithium-ion battery uses silicon-oxide-enhanced anodes to increase energy density compared with conventional graphite-based cells.
The official WLTP figures reach:
– CLA 45 Sedan: up to 670 km (416 miles)
– CLA 45 Shooting Brake: up to 640 km (398 miles)
The difference between the two body styles is relatively small, although the Shooting Brake’s larger and more practical body results in a lower official range figure.
Mercedes-AMG has also optimized the battery for repeated high-performance driving. Thermal management is designed to maintain suitable operating temperatures during hard acceleration and demanding driving.
800-Volt Charging at Up to 330 kW
The CLA 45 4MATIC+ uses an 800-volt electrical architecture and supports DC fast charging at rates of up to 330 kW.
Mercedes-AMG quotes a charging time of approximately 22 minutes to go from 10% to 80% under ideal conditions.
A 10-minute charging stop can add more than 270 km (168 miles) of driving range, according to the company.
A multi-source heat pump further improves efficiency by recovering waste heat from the battery and powertrain. The system can also pre-condition the battery ahead of a fast-charging session.
AMG Chassis and Aerodynamic Upgrades
The CLA 45 isn’t simply a more powerful CLA. Mercedes-AMG has made extensive changes to the chassis and aerodynamics to handle the additional performance.
The car receives AMG RIDE CONTROL adaptive suspension with electronically controlled three-stage damping. The system can adjust the suspension characteristics depending on the driving situation and selected mode.
Visually, the electric performance sedan gets a more aggressive AMG treatment, including the familiar Panamericana grille, wider fenders, unique front and rear bumpers and a more prominent diffuser.
Standard 19-inch wheels are fitted, while customers can choose optional 20-inch forged wheels.
The CLA 45 measures 4.74 meters long, 1.86 meters wide and 1.47 meters tall, with a 2.79-meter wheelbase. Its long wheelbase, short overhangs and sloping roofline retain the sleek proportions of the standard CLA while giving the AMG version a more muscular appearance.
AMG Interior With New MBUX Technology
Inside, the CLA 45 gets AMG sports seats, a performance steering wheel, aluminum trim and available microfiber upholstery.
AMG-specific displays are integrated into the latest-generation MBUX infotainment system, giving drivers access to performance information alongside the regular vehicle functions.
The fourth-generation MBUX system runs on Mercedes-Benz’s MB.OS operating system and incorporates AI technology from ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing and Google Gemini.
AMG also adds dedicated AMG Performance, AMG SET-UP and AMG TRACK PACE applications. These provide information such as power output, battery temperature, tire pressures, energy flow and chassis settings.
Is the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ Worth Its Price?
With a starting price of €79,039, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ moves well beyond the mainstream electric sedan segment.
What buyers get in return is a combination of 680-hp rear motor output, three electric motors, all-wheel drive, 2.7-second 0-100 km/h acceleration, up to 416 miles of WLTP range and 330-kW DC charging.
The Shooting Brake starts at €80,408 and offers slightly less range, but adds the practicality of a wagon-style body.
The CLA 45 4MATIC+ therefore represents a different approach to the high-performance EV. Rather than focusing exclusively on maximum power, Mercedes-AMG has paired its performance hardware with a relatively long driving range, rapid charging and sophisticated thermal management.
For buyers looking for a fast electric Mercedes that can also serve as a daily driver, the CLA 45 4MATIC+ could become one of the most interesting AMG models of the new electric generation.
