By Otsile Kadiege

Mercedes-AMG also got their hands on the updated CLA and spruced up the potent duo with minor yet noticeable exterior and interior updates, a few technical upgrades for the 35 model and Street Style Edition for the 45S 4Matic model.

AMG exterior updates

Numerous updates make the CLA from Mercedes-AMG even more desirable. The new exterior design is particularly striking on the CLA 35 4Matic Coupé. The entry-level model has been given an AMG-specific radiator grille with vertical slats, a reshaped front apron and a round badge with the AMG emblem that reinforces the brand affiliation. The revised design of the inside of the headlights with LED or Multibeam LED technology and the LED taillights also characterise the two top models CLA 45 S 4Matic+ Coupé.

There are three new light-alloy wheels for the 35 models: standard 10-spoke, 18-inch wheels in black with high-gloss turned surfaces and optional 19-inch wheels with a five-twin-spoke design in matte black with high-gloss turned surfaces or in matte black with a high-gloss turned rim flange. New wheels for the two 45 S versions include standard 19-inch wheels with a five-twin-spoke design in matte black with high-gloss turned surfaces or optional 19-inch wheels in a five-twin-spoke design in matte black with a high-gloss turned rim flange.

AMG Street Style Edition exterior

A special limited edition is available for the CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ Coupé: the AMG Street Style Edition. With its Manufaktur mountain grey magno paintwork and side foiling with the AMG logo and AMG pattern in the chequered-flag design, it emphasises the sporty appearance. The same applies to the colour accents in fluorescent orange. The edition is shod with 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a five-twin-spoke design in matte black with a gloss-turned rim flange. Optionally, customers can order the Street Style Edition with 19-inch AMG forged wheels in a cross-spoke design, painted matte black and with a high-sheen turned rim flange. The red-painted brake callipers form an attractive contrast to both wheels. Other exterior elements include the AMG Aerodynamics package, the AMG Night package I and II and the AMG fuel-filler cap.

AMG interior updates

Inside, new upholstery covers for the standard sports seats or the optional AMG Performance seats. The combination of Artico man-made leather with Microcut microfibre can also be ordered in bahia brown. Sage grey/black is the new colour for Artico man-made leather. And red pepper/black is available for the first time for the leather seat covers. For the trim elements, open-pore lime wood in brown completes the optional selection.

The Mercedes-AMG CLA models offer the new AMG Performance steering wheel with double-spoke design and seamlessly integrated buttons as standard. The AMG steering wheel buttons impress with displays and intuitive operating logic. These allow for important driving functions and all drive programmes to be controlled without taking your hands off the steering wheel. The new Mercedes-AMG CLA models also benefit from the latest MBUX generation: more performance and the AMG-specific screen design make the brand experience tangible.

AMG Street Style Edition interior

The interior of the AMG Street Style Edition also has a distinctive cabin design: The AMG Performance seat in black Microcut microfibre is adorned with seams and highlights in bright orange. The “CLA 45 S” label, also in orange, carries the brand emblem over to the interior. The AMG Performance steering wheel in Microcut leather/microfibre and the AMG trim elements in aluminium (with the same pattern as the exterior foiling) add further accents to the interior. Attention to detail is also demonstrated by the instrument panel with contrasting orange stitching and the AMG door-sill trims with “AMG” lettering, a black interchangeable cover and Edition-specific lighting in red. AMG floor mats with “Street Style Edition” lettering and orange stitching complete the high-quality interior design.

AMG performance

The 35 model is equipped with a 48-volt electrical system and a belt-driven starter-generator. The second-generation starter-generator acts as a mild hybrid, providing a temporary power boost of 10 kW as well as functions such as coasting and recuperation for greater efficiency. Underneath the hood lies a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine produces 225 kW, which is variably distributed to all four wheels via the AMG Speedshift DCT 8G transmission and AMG Performance 4Matic all-wheel drive. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.

Powering the 45S 4Matic+ model is a more potent 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine making 310 kW and 500 Nm which is sent to its sophisticated fully variable all-wheel drive system with AMG Torque Control. The compact sports car accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds. The top speed is limited to 270 km/h.

The rear-axle transmission contains two electronically controlled multi-plate clutches, each of which is connected to a driveshaft on the rear axle. This allows the drive power to be distributed variably not only between the front and rear axles, but also wheel-selectively between the left and right rear wheels.