Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4Matic+ with a time of 7:32.07 on the Nuerburgring. Slightly better than the Porsche Taycan Turbo S and Hyundai Ioniq 6N

Mercedes claimed that the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4Matic+ completed the Nuerburgring track in a time just over 7:32 minutes. This is an excellent result, better than the 2023 Porsche Taycan Turbo S or this year’s Hyundai Ioniq 6N. However, the AMG CLA 45 shares only the body shape and name with the Mercedes CLA EQ Tech/Electric, as the model’s powertrain relies on a novelty: up to three disc brakes.

AMG CLA 45 4Matic+. This time, the “+” does not refer to maximum range.

Disk motors are engines in which the rotating part of the engine (rotor) and its stationary part (stator) have the shape of two or more disks, with the rotor being excited by a magnetic field whose flux is parallel to the axis of rotation. Their English name is axial flux motor or pancake motor; Mercedes translates the former quite literally [but correctly from a physical perspective] as axial flux motors, indicating the direction of the magnetic field flux. The latter term, pancake motor, accurately describes the structure of the system. As the editorial team, we devised our own translation “disk motor” as one that is most intuitive for visualization.

The three engines in the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4Matic+ combine to deliver a maximum power of 500 kW/680 HP, enabling a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of around 2.9–3 seconds, according to the manufacturer. All are liquid-cooled with a 1+2 configuration; the battery has a capacity of ~100 (94) kWh, and the claimed WLTP range is “over 670” miles for the sedan version and 640 miles for the Shooting Brake. The “over 670” WLTP range for the AMG CLA 45 translates to 573 kilometers in urban or combined driving conditions, 402 kilometers at 120 km/h, and 308 kilometers at 140 km/h with the battery fully discharged [preliminary calculations by Elektrowozu editorial team].

Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4Matic+ without track-themed trim (c) Mercedes

The interior of the AMG CLA 45

The suspension of this model has been significantly modified compared to the Mercedes CLA EQ Tech to enable maximum acceleration in corners without losing traction. Both at the front and rear, multi-link suspensions along with shock absorbers with adjustable damping force are used. The driver can choose among three operating modes: Comfort, Sport, or AMGForce S+. An active spoiler has been added at the rear, but perhaps the most interesting feature is the software called Predictive Performance Manager, which optimizes energy usage based on the track’s terrain and weather conditions.

All indications suggest the software operates on the vehicle side, as it takes weather into account and allows switching between Race and Sprint modes. Option one simply delivers maximum power at the driver’s right foot. Thanks to all these new features, it managed to complete one lap of the Nuerburgring circuit (full loop, 20.832 km) in 7:32.07 minutes, while the Porsche Taycan Turbo S took 7:33.35 minutes and the Hyundai Ioniq 6N around 7:39 minutes (7:35.42 minutes on the shorter 20.6 km loop).

The prices for the AMG CLA 45 4Matic+ are expected to be announced this month, as the vehicle is set to go on sale in August 2026.

Editor’s note from Elektrowozu: between us, the lap time impresses us, but it also suggests that disc brakes must have their drawbacks, since the CLA 45 turned out to be only slightly better than the Porsche Taycan, arguably the top product of German engineering as of 2023. It’s possible that AMG’s biggest advantage wasn’t the drive system but rather the software that adjusted the power output to the road conditions Higher air temperatures might have helped as well

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