Mercedes-AMG is growing a scorching model of the brand new third-generation CLA, due in 2025 as an electrical different to the fearsome CLA 45.
A disguised prototype of the brand new AMG mannequin caught testing in northern Sweden this week reveals a number of modifications over the usual automobile.
As effectively as uprated brakes behind AMG sports activities wheels, this early prototype has a big ducktail-style rear spoiler that hints at a concentrate on boosting downforce. The manufacturing mannequin might function a hard and fast spoiler or presumably even a retractable spoiler just like that utilized by the Mercedes-AMG GT.
The new CLA is the primary mannequin to be based mostly on the Mercedes Modular Architecture – a hybrid platform construction supporting an 800V electrical structure and conceived for each full-electric and combustion-engine fashions.
Standard 2025 CLA fashions will function both single-motor rear-wheel drive or dual-motor four-wheel drive. In the AMG mannequin, the latter structure is claimed to offer as much as 500bhp.
By comparability, the prevailing turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder CLA 45 develops 422bhp.
As with different latest new AMG-branded electrical fashions, the motors are set to vary from these utilized in commonplace variations of the CLA, with distinctive windings and a extra complete cooling system.
The battery of the brand new AMG mannequin can also be claimed to vary from the lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) and lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) items supplied on commonplace CLA fashions, with totally different cells and an altered anode.
Mercedes claims a variety of “over 435 miles” and economic system of “5.2 miles per kWh” for the upcoming single-motor rear-wheel-drive CLA mannequin, though each figures will drop with the introduction of a second electrical motor and energy enhance within the AMG mannequin.
As introduced on the unveiling of the Concept CLA Class ultimately 12 months’s Munich motor present, the brand new CLA will even provide charging at as much as 250kW and it may be used as an influence supply itself because of bi-directional charging.
At this stage, it’s unclear if AMG will provide two distinct variations of the brand new CLA, because it does as we speak with the petrol-powered CLA 35 and CLA 45.
Alongside the brand new CLA saloon, AMG can also be planning powered-up variations of the next-generation CLA Shooting Brake, GLA crossover and GLB SUV – all of that are earmarked to obtain the identical drivetrain and battery structure because the upcoming saloon.
The division’s first bespoke electrical automobile would be the manufacturing model of the putting Vision AMG idea it revealed in 2022, due on sale subsequent 12 months as a 1000bhp, axial-motored alternative for the V8-engined GT 63.