Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Goes Electric: 680 hp, 94 kWh and Simulated Shifts

On July 9, 2026, Mercedes-AMG introduced the new CLA 45 4MATIC+. The model no longer has a gasoline four-cylinder engine: it is now an electric vehicle with three motors. Orders opened in Germany on August 27, so this is no longer a concept or prototype but a production car.

The biggest change is not the switch to electric power itself, but the way AMG is trying to preserve the character of its high-performance version. The CLA 45 gets a dedicated powertrain, a new all-wheel-drive system, active aerodynamics and a mode in which the electronics recreate the sound, shifts and vibrations of a gasoline-powered AMG.

Key facts about the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+

Three motors instead of one engine

The new CLA 45 uses three compact axial-flux motors. Two are mounted on the rear axle and one on the front. This layout is not only about producing 680 hp: the electronics can control the power delivered to the front axle and each rear wheel independently. That is how the new fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring works.

The front motor does not have to operate continuously as the primary source of propulsion. Mercedes-AMG describes it as an additional source of power that engages when high output is needed. This allows the car to switch between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive without a noticeable break in traction for the driver.

What the claimed 2.7-second acceleration figure means

This figure is not fully comparable with every recorded measurement. Mercedes-AMG uses the one-foot rollout method, in which the first 30.48 cm of movement is excluded from the timing. The manufacturer states this directly in the specifications, so the figure should be read as the brand's claimed result.

Battery and long-distance travel: what is known without assumptions

The CLA 45 has a lithium-ion battery with a usable capacity of 94 kWh. Mercedes-AMG claims a range of more than 670 km under the WLTP cycle for the sedan and 640 km for the Shooting Brake. These figures come from a standardized test cycle; real-world distance depends on speed, temperature, tires, terrain, payload and climate-control use.

The 800-volt architecture is designed for fast charging at up to 330 kW. In its August 27, 2026 announcement of the start of orders, Mercedes-AMG specifies 22 minutes to charge the battery from 10% to 80%. The model's page also states that a compatible charger can add up to 270 km of range in ten minutes; this is likewise a WLTP calculation, not a guaranteed result at every charging station.

Why an electric car needs sound and “gears”

In the AMGFORCE S+ program, the CLA 45 simulates the operation of a highly tuned four-cylinder AMG engine. The system generates synthesized sound, displays engine speed and the selected “gear,” while shifts can be triggered using the steering-wheel paddles. During these shifts, the electronics briefly alter power delivery.

The effect is not limited to the audio system. The seats contain vibration motors. According to Mercedes-AMG, the original sound was recorded with 13 microphones and based on more than 1 600 measurements. This is not an attempt to pass the electric car off as a gasoline-powered vehicle, but a separate adjustable mode. Drivers who do not want the simulation can also choose the standard drive programs.

The Nordschleife record: date, time and conditions

At 11:31 on July 28, 2026, the new CLA 45 4MATIC+ completed a lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:32.070. Mercedes-AMG announced the result on August 4 and called it a class record. The run took place with an air temperature of 24 °C and a track-surface temperature of 30 °C; the car was fitted with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires.

The configuration also matters: the record-setting car was driven in RACE mode, which is included in the AMG Dynamic Plus package. It is therefore more accurate to view the time as a demonstration of what a specific production specification with optional equipment can do, rather than as a promise that every CLA 45 will reproduce it.

What helps the car on the track can also be useful on the road

The active rear spoiler changes its angle according to the drive mode and conditions: it either reduces aerodynamic drag or increases stability. Active shutters at the front open only when cooling is required. Here, aerodynamics is not a decorative feature but part of managing range and stability.

What can already be ordered and what remains unknown

The sedan and Shooting Brake have been available to order in Germany since August 27, 2026. The sedan starts at 79 039 euros including VAT, while the estate starts at 80 408 euros including VAT. These are German prices and exclude delivery or factory collection costs. They do not provide a basis for judging prices in other countries.

Mercedes-AMG has confirmed both body styles, the power output, battery, charging performance and core acceleration figures. Available specifications, delivery times and prices may vary between local markets. They should be checked with the official representative once local configurators become available.

What has really changed

Mercedes-AMG has not simply replaced a gasoline engine with a battery. The CLA 45 gets three independent electric motors, torque control at the rear wheels, a high-voltage charging system and active aerodynamics. At the same time, the brand retains the ability to shape the car's character through sound, vibrations and simulated shifts.

The main question is not whether the new CLA 45 resembles its predecessor. This is a different compact AMG, in which the sensations of a gasoline-powered car have become a programmable feature. The technical data is already available, while real-world impressions and independent tests will emerge after deliveries begin.

Mercedes-AMG provides details of the Nürburgring run, battery and vehicle settings in its official August 4, 2026 material.