BMW’s M division isn’t the only automaker injecting new energy into the performance wagon segment. So is its big rival from Affalterbach, Mercedes-AMG, as these shots of the new CLA 45 shooting brake show.

We’ve already spotted the sedan version of the AMG CLA 45 EV multiple times, plus wagon-bodied, non-AMG variants of the combustion CLA. But this is our first sighting of the hot EV with the long-roof body.

Related: The Baby AMG EV Just Got Real With Three Motors And A Secret Weapon

All of those cars, plus some SUV-shaped spin-offs our spy photo teams have yet to track down, are built on the same versatile platform that’s capable of handling combustion and electric powertrains. Hottest of the lot are the 45 EV versions of each body style, which are believed to get a triple-motor setup that delivers at least 500 hp (507 PS / 373 kW).

But it looks like the torque-vectoring motors aren’t the only thing the wagon has in common with its notchback brother. We’ve spied a deployable spoiler on CLA sedan prototypes, but now Mercedes has, ahem, extended the courtesy to the wagon.

The wing at the top of the load lugger’s rear hatch doesn’t look as big as the one on the sedan – which is rumoured to double as an airbrake – or appear to extend as far into the airflow, but there’s no doubt that it’s an active, rather than passive aero device.

We’d normally only expect to see the wing extended at freeway speeds, so perhaps the test driver has pressed a button to manually raise it in this case, or has a track-type mode selected where the wing is permanently poking above the roof.

Other giveaways that we’re looking at the AMG variant of the CLA wagon include the monobloc brake callipers behind the forged alloy wheels at the front. And the blanked grille and lack of tailpipes tell us it’s definitely an EV, though we expect AMG to deliver combustion versions of the CLA, too.

Exactly what engine will power those ICE models remains to be seen. A recent report claimed AMG was ditching the unpopular four-cylinder hybrid engine in the C63, and suggested the entire M139 2.0 engine family, including non-PHEV versions, would be phased out. That could mean the next ICE CLA 45 will get a warmed-over version of the 1.5-liter hybrid powertrain coming to non-AMG CLAs.

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High-performance EVs aren’t just for flagship models and six-figure price tags. AMG’s next move brings some of that top-shelf energy to something a little smaller and a bit more within reach.

This week’s big AMG news is the Concept GT XX that’ll morph into the all-new 2027 GT, a slippery production EV targeting the Porsche Taycan. But when that lands, the GT won’t be the only fast four-door electric coupe with AMG badges. It’ll be joined by the smaller, slightly more affordable CLA 45 with EQ Technology.

Related: Mercedes Will Fix New CLA EV’s Charging Crisis From Next Year

Though not as exotic as its big brother, the CLA 45 EQ will still have some similar performance tricks up its sleeve, including an active rear spoiler, which our spy photographers snapped in detail for the first time during a recent Nurburgring test.

Hidden Aero Tricks Come Into View

The disguise on earlier prototypes made it look like the cars were fitted with a fixed, ducktail rear wing to help keep their rear tires pressed into the pavement. But now we have confirmation that what they’ll actually have is an electrically or hydraulically operated rear wing that moves up into the airflow automatically at speed or can be manually operated by a button on the dashboard.

Personally, I preferred the ducktail idea, though being able to retract the spoiler so it fits flush when not needed is vital to cut drag and maximize efficiency. Some reports have also suggested the wing might function as a mini air brake, an idea AMG has used before on cars like the SLR.

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Another bit of tech the CLA 45 EQ will inherit from the AMG GT and the upcoming GT SUV is axial flux motors developed by Mercedes-owned British brand Yasa. These motors are much lighter and more compact than the conventional units used in the regular CLA unveiled this year, and Autocar’s sources say there’ll be three of them onboard the baby AMG to give true torque vectoring capability.

The same reports suggest a power figure upwards of 500 hp (507 PS), which doesn’t sound like much by modern EV standards, but does represent a healthy improvement on the 349 hp (354 PS) of the CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ Technology. However, Yasa’s motors generate lots of torque and don’t weigh much, meaning AMG might have come to the conclusion it doesn’t need to match the circa-641 hp (650 PS) of Hyundai’s upcoming Ioniq 6 N to beat it on the road.

Charging Woes, Soon to Be Solved

Non-AMG CLAs feature fast-charging 800-volt electrics but are currently unable to use 400-volt charging stations. Even so, Mercedes should have fixed that ludicrous situation by next year, so CLA 45 EQ buyers will have more charging choices. Not that it will have to plug in very often. A range of at least 400 miles (644 km) seems plausible based on the 479-mile (771 km) legs of the dual-motor CLA 350.

That kind of practicality, plus organ-pulverizing straight-line speed, a drift mode, and a V8 soundalike digital backing track could make AMG’s baby sedan one of the best enthusiast EVs around when it goes on sale next year.

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Mercedes-Benz may be pouring resources into electric powertrains like every other legacy automaker with a deadline and a vision statement, but that doesn’t mean internal combustion engines are on their way out. In fact, the company now expects its gas-powered models to stick around longer than originally planned, reflecting a more measured approach to the EV transition than earlier timelines suggested.

EVs and ICEs Will Coexist for the Foreseeable Future

That dual-track strategy is showing up clearly in the brand’s upcoming lineup. The next-generation CLA and the upcoming 2026 GLC will both be offered with either electric or combustion engines, giving buyers more flexibility, especially in markets where EV infrastructure is still catching up. In a recent interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius referred to this as a “course correction” in the company’s electric roadmap.

Read: Mercedes-AMG Wants You To Forget About The EQC With This New EV

“The electrified high-tech combustion engines will run longer than we originally expected,” Kallenius told the publication. “I believe the most rational approach in the current situation is for an established manufacturer to do both and not neglect one technology.”

Still, More EVs Are Coming

Kallenius did not specify how long the combustion engines will stick around, but it should certainly be into the next decade. In the meantime, the number of EVs from Mercedes will continue to grow.

“The new CLA is the greeting from the kitchen of an entire family,” he told AMS. “Then the core segments will follow with the electric versions of the GLC, C-Class, and E-Class. We still have an incredible amount in the pipeline.”

The new GLC EV will serve as a replacement to the current EQC, which has never taken off quite as the brand would have hoped. This second-gen model will be a rival to BMW’s Neue Klasse iX3. It’ll be underpinned by the new MB.EA architecture, differing from the new CLA that uses the MMA platform. Importantly, MB.EA supports an 800-volt system and should support charging speeds of up to 320 kW.

Just like Porsche is currently doing with the Macan (albeit only in North America), Mercedes will sell the electric GLC alongside the combustion-powered version. The two won’t share a platform, but they will coexist, giving the brand some breathing room as the world transitions from fuel pumps to plugs.

The Mercedes-AMG CLA isn’t the only model losing camouflage as spy photographers have caught a lightly disguised CLA Shooting Brake on the Nürburgring. It follows in the footsteps of the regular model, but adopts a far more practical wagon physique.

Starting up front, there’s a familiar fascia with starry headlights and a traditional grille. The latter indicates this prototype is ICE-powered and this likely means it has a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, a 1.3 kWh battery, and an electric motor that is integrated into an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

More: Starry But Soulless 2026 Mercedes CLA Leans On AI And Electric Power

We can also expect two electric variants with an 85 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The CLA 250+ with EQ Technology has a rear-mounted motor developing 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS) and 247 lb-ft (335 Nm) of torque, while the CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ Technology has a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 349 hp (260 kW / 354 PS) and 380 lb-ft (515 Nm) of torque. These powertrains give the sedan a WLTP range of up to 492 miles (792 km), but we wouldn’t be surprised if the wagon’s extra mass cuts into that number.

Getting back to styling, the CLA Shooting Brake features a long, sloping roof and a sleek, graceful beltline. These are complemented by an angular liftgate and the now-signature starry taillights that Mercedes seems to be slapping on every model these days, whether it’s warranted or not.

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The few glimpses of the interior reveal a familiar cabin that should have a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment system, and an available 14-inch front passenger display. We can also expect AI, an MBUX Virtual Assistant, and a generous list of standard equipment.

Of course, the real star will be the added cargo space. While details on the wagon’s capacity are still under wraps, the sedan’s trunk only holds 14.3 cubic feet (405 liters), so the wagon should provide a more generous offering.

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Mercedes has made more than a few questionable decisions in recent years, but one of the most baffling had to be limiting the CLA EV to 800V DC fast-charging stations. This drastically restricted were owners could recharge, which is an odd move, to put it mildly, considering a lack of charging infrastructure is often cited as a reason why people won’t buy electric vehicles.

The decision seemed so puzzling that we couldn’t help but ask, what were they thinking? We now have an answer as Mercedes wanted to showcase the CLA’s 320 kW DC fast-charging capability that can deliver up to 202 miles (325 km) of range in just 10 minutes.

More: What Were They Thinking? Mercedes CLA EV Can Only Use 800V DC Fast Chargers

While that’s kind of an explanation, the company has now revealed future U.S. models will be able to charge at both 400V and 800V charging stations.

As a Mercedes-Benz USA spokesperson explained to us, “After the initial limited delivery of cars late this year for demonstration of the CLA’s fast-charging abilities, 2026 US customer orders from early next year will feature a converter and be capable of charging at 400V and faster 800V” stations. They went on to say this means the car will be able to access more than 140,000 charging points across America.

While the initial messaging was muddied, Mercedes did attempt to explain the thinking behind it. “Public charging point technology varies across the world, and the networks widely available in the U.S. and Europe are different. We’re committed to offering our customers the best experience and believe fast-charging at 800V gives the best and most convenient experience.”

Faster charging speeds are certainly welcome, but drastically reducing where people can charge isn’t. In the end, Mercedes seems to have realized that.

The new Mercedes CLA EV hasn’t even launched in many regions outside of Europe, including North America, yet development is already well underway for the upcoming AMG variant. As a debut nears, the camouflage is starting to come off and reveal more about the high-performance model.

Starting up front, we can see a unique front bumper with large intakes. They’re joined by a new central opening, which features a unique mesh pattern. Additional details are hard to make out, but the model has a fully enclosed grille as well as starry headlights.

More: Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Could Be A 500+ HP EV With Fake V8 Sounds

The styling makeover continues with sportier sides skirts and lightweight wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tires. The latter are backed up by a beefy braking system, which sports red calipers up front. We can also see what appears to be AMG-specific badging on the front fender.

The rear end doesn’t look too remarkable at first glance, but a closer inspection reveals an active spoiler. We can also expect a modified bumper and diffuser to help distinguish the AMG variant from the regular model.

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Spy photographers didn’t get a good look inside, but the cabin should have a minimalist interior with a sport steering wheel and a handful of special touches. We can also expect a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment system, and a 14-inch front passenger display.

Mercedes has been tight-lipped about powertrain details, but previous reports have suggested the car will have axial flux motors developed by Mercedes’ Yasa subsidiary. There could be a total of three motors altogether, giving the car a combined output in excess of 500 hp (373 kW / 507 PS).

Also: The New Mercedes CLA EV Can Only Use 800V DC Fast Chargers

That should put it in direct competition with the Tesla Model 3 Performance, which delivers 510 hp and a 0-60 mph time of 2.9 seconds, along with a top speed of 163 mph (262 km/h).

Rumors have also suggested the AMG variant will have a unique battery pack and a “V8 Mode.” The latter reportedly replicates the sound of a roaring V8, as even Mercedes appears to be acknowledging that’s what people actually want.

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It’s easy to hate on the redesigned Mercedes CLA as it doesn’t look particularly good and its interior is a soulless compartment filled with screens. On top of that, the electric variants have terrible names including CLA 250+ with EQ Technology and CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ Technology.

It appears that’s just scratching the surface as a new report says the EV doesn’t support 400V DC fast charging. According to Wards Auto, the model lacks a 400V-to-800V DC/DC converter and this significantly limits where the car can be recharged. Non-compatible stations are said to include “50 kW public chargers and a large portion of Tesla’s current Supercharger network.”

More: Starry But Soulless 2026 Mercedes CLA Leans On AI And Electric Power

It sounds like the restriction is a result of Mercedes’ push for a 320 kW DC fast charging capability, which enables the car to go from a 10-80% charge in as little as 22 minutes. As the publication explained, “Because CCS cables are limited to 500 amps, 800 volts is necessary to exceed a 200 kW charging speed.”

However, other automakers – such as Hyundai and Kia – use a DC-to-DC voltage booster to allow for fast charging as well as broad support. This isn’t a great look for a luxury brand as it comes off as a penny pinching move that harms consumers by limiting their access to charging stations.

Mercedes reportedly declined to say why they didn’t include a voltage booster in the CLA and it will likely catch some owners off guard. We looked at webpages and configurators for the car in multiple countries and found no mention of the restriction. However, Wards Auto said there is a disclaimer noting “charging at 400V charging stations is not possible, and for this reason, they are not shown in the navigation system.”

It’s unclear if this issue is limited to the launch model, but the publication pointed to speculation suggesting the Norwegian-spec car will come with a DC/DC booster. This implies a market specific approach, although customers might want to hold off for the time being.