First Look: Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG



During the Petronas Motorsports Demo Run last weekend on 23rd of March, there was a preview of the new CLA200 at Mercedes-Benz booth in KLCC concourse area. Slated to be launched some time this month, the four-door sedan sibling to the A200 is powered by the same 156hp 1.6 litre turbocharged powerplant driving the front wheels.

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It was a looker alright, but something outside KLCC caught my eyes and immediately was drawn out to it like a magnet.

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A trio of compact Mercs were parked outside, a black A250 Sport, a white A45 AMG Edition 1, and the one that stole my attention, a metallic grey CLA45 AMG.

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Sharing similar underpinnings with the A45 AMG hatch, this sexy pocket rocket is packed with the most powerful production 4-cylinder engine under its bonnet. With 360hp and 450Nm of torque powering all four wheels via 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission, it will crack 100kmh in just 4.4 seconds and will power on until the speed limiter at 250km/h.

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During the Petronas Motorsports Demo Run, the white A45 AMG was used as the Safety Car, but both the A45 AMG and CLA45 AMG were used as taxi rides for the selected guests. The A45 AMG was driven by none other than the 2008 Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, while his team mate Nico Rosberg drove the CLA45 AMG.

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No word on the exact launch date yet, but it looks like it’s going to be pretty soon. It will be interesting to see how will it be priced when the A45 AMG is already pegged at RM 348,888. So which one would you choose? The mad A45 AMG hatch or the sexy CLA45 AMG?

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