2014 AMG CLA 45

[71Beige280SL]

Well, I went and did it. Traded in my 2010 E550 for a new AMG CLA 45. What a neat car for the money! 360 hp; 0-60 in 4.3 seconds. 4 wheel drive (might work in snow!). The electronics are amazing. Even has wifi access.

The car is "on the water" from Germany. Arrives in Baltimore, MD on March 1st. At the dealership on or before March 6th. In my garage by March 7th.

I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas day.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Nice economical choice ... I opted for the E350 4Matic ... almost got this one too, however, wife did not like my ///M3 exhaust sound so I would have not get away with the AMG CLA 45.

Waiting for that new car can be a nightmare (I know) so meanwhile check this out ---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfBGWsW4_nw

Nice detail description of the car! Enjoy till you have yours in the garage

[71Beige280SL]

Thanks Rolf-Dieter. My car is close to the one in the youtube video but is doesn't have the black wheels. It is Night Black with Black "Red Cut" Leather and red seat belts. The trim is Black Ash Wood. It has red break calipers and a panorama sunroof. I recreated the car on the MB website "Build Your Own" function. I don't think I will see too many like it on the road.

Concerning the throaty exhaust. I had a C63 before the E550. My wife got used to the wonderful exhaust music!

[Garry]

Interesting on the male prospective to the female prospective on the new A Class.

I took my wife to a Mercedes dealer several months ago to get get her to test drive the new A Class.  Having owned since new the superseded A Class for 8 years, she was really disappointed with the new one.  They have a glossy brochure and in it they describe the new car with little reference to the one it is replacing except for three measurements.  How much lower it is, how much the seats are lower when entering and some other inconsequential statistic. Oh I remember it was a few mm longer in the body.

She hated it, said it was smaller inside, (she was right it is nearly 50% less in rear space, it had terrible rear visibility, definitely right on that score, had lost the MB smarts in engineering design and that the stylists had taken over. Was not a practical small runabout and I could not even argue about that.

Guess the old trusty A Class we have with 80k on it will remain in the family for another 8 years.

[Flyair]

Garry,
you seem to be very happy with the outcome. Thank you MB

[mdsalemi]

The CLA (as the thread started) and the A-class are different cars, right?
The CLA is just a hair's breadth smaller than the C-Class.
The A is a subcompact, right? Wrong?

[Garry]

Michael you are correct, the CLA is really a C Class with a fastback and less defined trunk. We have not got it here in Australia yet.

I think Mercedes lost the plot for the subcompact.   I have no complaints it saved me a lot of dollars as Stan said, thanks MB.

[Rodolfo]

the Cla is on the basis of the A class with a trunk added in fact.

[71Beige280SL]

There is no doubt that the CLA is a small car. Can't speak to the A class as they are not offered in the US. Interestingly, my E550 is 185" long and so is the CLA. The back seats of my E550 (granted, it is a coupe) are fine for my wife at 5'1" tall but, fitting a full size person in the back seat is a major chore. The front passenger and driver have to crank their seats forward. The CLA's back seat is actually roomier. A transverse mounted engine probably allows for more space in the cabin. That would be my guess anyway.

[mdsalemi]

I would offer that sitting in both the CLA and the C class for someone of MY size, 5'8" offers little perceptible difference. The sizes are very close.
That being said, one should not, and does not buy a car of this size class--or a 3-series BMW or similar offerings if you are going to have adults of normal size sitting in the back seat on a regular basis. None of them offer the size and comfort required for back seat passengers…particularly if the driver might be 6' and the seat is way back. It is not a criticism of the car, but more of choosing a car class/size based on your needs.

[Garry]

Michael,

That was my problem when wanting to change from the smart A Class that had lots of leg room and head room for adults, in fact more than most mid size cars, to the new A Class that will break you at the knees in the back seat even though it is longer in the wheel base and overall length. Style over substance and why the glossys do not talk about the improvement in space, there wasn’t any, it went backward considerably.

Garry

[71Beige280SL]

Agree Michael. It is maybe twice per year where I need to accommodate 4 adults and it is usually short distances. 98% of the time it is me or one other passenger.

[71Beige280SL]

I have had my AMG CLA 45 for a few weeks now. I must say, I am really enjoying it. Despite the 4 cylinder engine, the turbo charger really adds the needed power. The car cruises easily at 85 mph. If I am feeling particularly ornery, and press the peddle a little further, plenty of power to spare. More room than I expected and the fit and finish, interior lighting, park assist and leather are superb.



 

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Nice looking car, my E350 4MATIC is also black with red interior, seat belts are black however

How is the performace on yours (speed verses RPM)?

Mine having 6 cylinder does ...

80 KMH / 50 MPH ~ 1200 RPM

100 KMH / 60 MPH ~ 1700 RPM

one of the best economical cars I've driven so far. better then my past M3's for sure 

[ja17]

Very nice, I think I need one too!  The wife thinks not 

[Flyair]

ja17

did you tell your wife it's for her?

[71Beige280SL]

Sorry Gentlemen, I've been off the grid for a while...

Rolf-Dieter,

Concerning your question on speed vs rpm. My CLA 45 has 7 speeds and 3 modes...Comfort, Sport and Manual. It also has an ECO button that I seldom use. Not sure what your E350 has...6 speeds? To be honest, sometimes, I believe it revs and shifts too low in Comfort. I find myself driving it in Sport mode or Manual. I will check for sure but, I believe it does 75mph @ 2000 in Comfort mode. Sport mode may be 2100 at 75mph.

The other thing I've noticed, as you might expect, it doesn't have the deep throat of a naturally aspirated 360 horsepower car. It has a rally car sound. Not bad just different. All in all the CLA 45 AMG is a great car. I highly recommend it..