AMG's New "Mini" Weapon...A45

[matthewfnorbert]

12 second 400 with new GTS

http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor...008-2v5q8.html

[Vulture]

Had a brief drive of a CLA 45 AMG the other day.
Very impressive little car.

First impression is that it is not as comfortable as the GTS as the suspension set up is rather firm - one of the disadvantages of not having an adjustable system like the MRC in the GTS. The ride is certainly more compliant than my father's E46 M3 which tends towards the harsh end of the spectrum but the little CLA is not for lavender fairies that is for sure!

The salesman wasn't keen on me giving it too many herbs as it was being run-in and they have had complaints from around the city after some test drives recently. Despite that, the engine felt very strong with only a hint of turbo lag. I was surprised but it had less lag than the twice-as-large-engined FG XR6 turbo I had a year or so ago and the exhaust crackle and thump on gear changes is laugh-out-loud fun.

The 7 speed dual clutch box is wonderful, very capable and smooth in auto mode and a riot in manual. I did notice the large gap between 2nd and 3rd ratios that the journos complained about. The interior could do with less harsh plastic below the dash and the carbon strip didn't extent to the drivers side part of the dash which gives rise to a brief impression of cost cutting. Front seats are very snug and if you are a big beefcake you will need to look elsewhere for your thrills. Distronic (or the radar cruise control) has to be experienced to truly appreciate. The vehicle will follow the car in front in city traffic maintaining a safe distance and brakes to a stop as the car in front stops. It can then be re-engaged when the lights turn green and it will accelerate up again. Of course, only if there is a car in front will it brake to a stop. Worth remembering lest you sail through a red light!

Overall I'm glad I'm getting one in December. Word is that if you order one now you should not expect to take delivery until the next financial year!
BMW and Audi simply have no answer for this little fire-cracker at present. I am sure they will soon but for now it rules the roost.

[tunga]

Had 2 really good drives of the 'mini weapon ' a couple of weeks ago ,and immediately followed by a good drive in the E63 and it convinced me of two things in particular , to quote 2 old sayings, "there is no replacement for displacement " and there's nothing quite like (short pause) a V8 ,

[matthewfnorbert]

vulture, tell me a bit more about the ride relative to use a daily driver in city/country roads? your opinion?

[Vulture]

I'd need to have a more extended drive but my brief impression is that it is firmer than the GTS even when that is in "track" setting. I think it is still easily suitable as a daily drive, certainly softer than my 370z with Tein coil overs (which is pretty harsh even on soft). Based on my brief drive I am not concerned about it being uncomfortable. It is firm and "taught" the way a sporty small car should feel. I wouldn't opt for the performance suspension upgrade though - unless I intended to take it on the track regularly.

[Vulture]

Word is now that if you want a CLA45 AMG you will be lucky to pick one up before 2015!
The A45 is a little easier to get, orders now for late 2014.
Guess resale will be good.
Mine delayed now until January and I was one of the very first CLA orders.

[Vulture]

Fantastic!
What sort of crank power would that be tuned?
Do you think they are making the 265kw crank power untuned?

[Vulture]

Will the tuning be available in QLD?
That's sensational power.

[matthewfnorbert]

yep they drove me away! because they were willing to fib about a realistic delivery date! been burnt before not doing that again. a shame as i really wanted one..

Word is now that if you want a CLA45 AMG you will be lucky to pick one up before 2015!
The A45 is a little easier to get, orders now for late 2014.
Guess resale will be good.
Mine delayed now until January and I was one of the very first CLA orders.

[Drizt]

Excellent work for tune only.

Would love one of these in manual and V8

[Vulture]

Picked up the CLA 45 AMG on Friday. What a great little car it is. Looks brilliant in white.
Have barely driven it so far and the interior gadgets are even more bewildering than those in the GTS so will take a little more time to get my head around them
I haven't tried launch control yet but will soon. It is a very agile ball-tearer of a car overall. Exhaust is surprisingly loud and the farting on gear shifts is fun and turns heads. Negatives: the 320km/h speedo is silly and means that with a quick glance at the speedometer is is hard to see whether I am doing 60km/h or 80km/h as the gradations are so fine.

There is evidence of the much larger resources of Mercedes compared with HSV in regard to the overall feel of quality. Things like the auto high beam and radar cruise control, the bi-xenon headlamps and the materials used - especially the quality of the seats. However, the GTS is still a much, much faster car. There is, of course, much more torque and power everywhere. Any gear, any speed. The ride of the GTS with the MRC is miles ahead as well.
Will report back with some more impressions when I get a chance.

[blackvussii]

Good buy, I reckon they look really sharp. Pulled at next to a white one at the lights on the way home from nightshift a couple weeks ago. I gather he was using launch control cause well before the light went green he had it stalled up, high revs and took off like a bullet. Nice crisp exhaust note, definately rate them.