Mercedes-AMG's new saloon claims record at Nurburgring; fastest in its segment

New Delhi: The Nurburgring is always the proving ground of any sports car. It is where all brands take their performance cars to chase a fast lap time. The latest to go around is the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45. The hottest version of Germany’s new compact car has set a Nurburgring record for a four-door saloon. The CLA 45 lapped the Nordschleife in 7:32:070.

The fully electric CLA 45 didn’t need any special upgrade to complete the Nürburgring’s roughly 12.4-mile Nordschleife. It went around in stock without any modification to the suspension, powertrain or body.

The upcoming Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 takes power from a tri-motor electric setup featuring axial-flux motors. It was first introduced on the Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe. The setup includes two motors mounted on the rear axle and one driving the front axle, delivering a combined output of 680hp and 1759 Nm of torque. It features one axial-flux electric motor on the front axle and two on the rear axle, paired with a 94kWh LFP battery pack. 

This enables the performance sedan to sprint from 0-100kph in just 2.7 seconds, placing it firmly in supercar territory despite its four-door layout.

The electric performance sedan is claimed to deliver a WLTP driving range of up to 670km on a full charge. The 800-volt electrical architecture lets the battery be replenished from 10 to 80 per cent in around 22 minutes using a DC fast charger capable of delivering up to 330kW.

Like its predecessor, the new CLA 45 retains an all-wheel-drive system. However, the electric drivetrain allows for far more precise torque distribution between the wheels. Mercedes-AMG has also brought an AMG Force S+ mode, which recreates simulated engine sounds and virtual gearshifts. All of this is to provide a driving experience that feels closer to a traditional AMG model.

The new CLA 45 marks a significant shift in the performance sedan segment. Instead of relying on a high-displacement twin-turbo V8, Mercedes-AMG has embraced an all-electric powertrain

Dr. Stefan Weckbach, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, noted that the new CLA 45 is the next chapter in AMG’s racing heritage. He even said that the record shows the brand is still looking to bring the best of performance cars.