The new CLA is available...
 

Is anyone else as excited as I am?

I'm going to roll up to the dealer to see what I can get into one for!

Did you see the pricing?

CLA45 AMG Order Guide | The Benz Report

The AMG a 60k car....with a 4cyl. No thanks. That's S4 territory.

Isn't it flunk-wheel-driven?

(And yes, I know it can be AWD, but it looks like the system is flunk-end biased.)

Unless it's an old Citroen DS, Saab 900, Prius, or Fiat 500, I don't _do_ FWD.

Oh man it is front wheel drive...gross. I'd have to have an AWD version to even consider it then.

That's what I'm after.


That funky little AMG version. :eek:

For the naysayers about front wheel drive, engineering has come a long way since the last time many of us have driven a front wheel drive car. I would suggest a test drive of modern day system.

200hp was close to too much for my hot hatch, which was supposed to have one of the best FWD suspension setups available. I doubt the CLA is that much better.

X2

The AMG version is indeed the 4matic. It'll be needed. I like the AG version from what I've seen and would be a buyer over the more expensive S4.

The AMG version CLA is based on the same chassis as the A45, albeit about 100 pound heavier. Here's a comparison between the A45 (AWD) and the BMW M135i, which is RWD. On the AMG, the max rear wheel power distribution is 50%.

Mercedes A45 AMG v BMW M135i on Road and Track - /CHRIS HARRIS ON CARS - YouTube

If I was still playing in the world I was when I bought my CLK55, this'd be on my must have list. Without question or hesitation.

One. Hundred. Seventy. Eight. Horsepower per liter. 355 ponies. 332 lb/ft of torque.

Seriously drool worthy.

Yup, hated the feel of my 2012 GTI with 200hp to the front wheels.

I don't even like the feel of my TDI with FWD. If you push it the 236lb of torque easily pulls both front tires loose then the handling gets interesting....if it was RWD or AWD it would be fantastic....

Now that's strikes me as a funny thing to say.

I think Mercedes would consider this a direct competitor to the S4.