The interior of the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 is garnished with fancy red stitching.
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Salivate. Accelerate. Repeat.
Those are the simple, one-two-three instructions for operating the 2017 Mercedes- Benz AMG CLA45. I’ve used this line before but it bears repeating: MB’s high-performance AMG treatment is German for OMG!
This over-the-top upgrade of the entry-level CLA-Class sedan is every boy-racer’s dream. Our tester, with its Polar Silver Magno (matte finish) paint and bright red brake calipers, would look right at home in one of the “Fast and Furious” movies. In fact, its 2.0-liter turbo-charged motor is said to be the most powerful 4-cylinder engine in production, making 375 horsepower and peaking at 350 lb-ft. of torque.
And that’s how a little Mercedes-Benz sedan balloons in AMG trim to almost $70,000. But while the sticker price seems to defy gravity for a compact sedan, the car’s look and performance are undeniably unique in a segment that also includes the BMW M2 and the Audi S3.
* Just the facts: The AMG CLA45 is a compact luxury car with a performance boost that yields a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds according to Car & Driver. Its suggested retail price of $49,950 can easily vault to nearly $70,000 with various option packages.
* Worthwhile option: The matte finish, a $2,500 upgrade, gives our tester a custom look that makes the retail price easier to swallow. On the other hand, the $2,250 performance seats with adjustable bolsters are too narrow for my middle-age frame.
* It’s good for Chattanooga buyers because It’s a small enough city that you might drive around town for months without seeing another Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45. And you might NEVER see one with matching paint.
* How much? The bottom line sticker price is $69,025, including about $20,000 in options. A base CLA-250 meanwhile, starts at about $33,000.
* Cool stuff: The seven-speed dual clutch transmission is sublime, and the all-wheel-drive set-up helps make sure that all the AMG CLA45s power makes it to the road.
* We could do without: The AMG CLA45’s fuel-saving start-stop feature. Most people who buy a $70,000 performance car are not worried about saving a sip of gas. Plus the fraction of a second it takes for the engine to restart is worrisome in a car built for rapid launching.
* Wish list: A lustier exhaust note would be nice, although you’ll definitely know it when this baby Benz clears its throat.
* While you are looking: Check out the Audi S3 for a bit more refinement and nicer interior materials.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress or 423-645-8937.