The Goodwood Festival of Speed is officially underway and Mercedes-AMG used the event to unveil the new CLA 45 4MATIC+ lineup. It consists of a high-performance sedan and shooting brake with a tri-motor powertrain.

Starting with the latter, the cars have one axial flux motor up front and two out back. This gives the CLA all-wheel drive as well as a combined output of up to 671 hp (500 kW / 680 PS) and 1,297 lb-ft (1,759 Nm) of torque.

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

Those are impressive numbers and then enable the model to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 2.7 seconds with a 1-foot rollout. However, with a traditional start, you’ll hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in three seconds flat. If you keep the accelerator planted, you’ll eventually top out at 155 mph (250 km/h) or 168 mph (270 km/h) with the AMG Dynamic Plus Package.

The motors are fed by a 94 kWh battery pack, which gives the sedan a WLTP range in excess of 416 miles (670 km). That drops to more than 398 miles (640 km) for the shooting brake, but buyers will find an additional 2.1 cubic feet (60 liters) of space in the trunk.

When the battery is low, a 330 kW DC fast charger can take the CLA 45 from 10-80% in as little as 22 minutes. If that’s too long, a ten minute charge can deliver over 168 miles (270 km) of range.

Getting back to the motors, they enable the model to have variable torque distribution between the front and rear wheels as well as torque vectoring between the rear wheels. Mercedes says this adjustability delivers impressive agility, situation-based responses, and seamless transitions between rear- and all-wheel drive.

Buyers will also find an AMG Ride Control sports suspension with steel springs and adaptive three-way damping in the form of Comfort, Sport, and AMGForce S+ modes. There are also six AMG Dynamic Select Driving modes that adjust the response of the chassis, steering, accelerator, electronic stability control, and recuperation.

Speaking of AMGForce S+, it turns the CLA into a weird performance car simulator complete with “active seat shakers” and “authentic traction shift interruptions.” The mode also delivers an “original combustion engine sound” as the noise from the old turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is digitally reproduced. This makes plenty of sense as AMG owners are used to butt stuff and their partners faking it.

When it comes time to stop, the car relies on a beefy braking system that features six-piston calipers and 15.4-inch (390 mm) discs up front as well as single piston calipers and 13.8-inch (350 mm) discs in the rear. The model also has a regenerative braking system with five levels of energy recovery.

A Plastic Grin

While AMGs are known to be aggressive, the CLA 45 looks rather cheap as there’s a faux lower intake filled with plastic. It’s a bit of an eyesore, but it’s joined by a fully enclosed Panamericana grille that looks nice enough.

Buyers will also find star-infused headlights and a short light strip between them. If that isn’t bright enough, customers can upgrade to a continuous light strip and an illuminated grille.

Further below, there’s a unique front bumper and splitter as well as an active intake. The latter can remain closed at speeds approaching 155 mph (250 km/h) and this helps to increase range and improve acceleration.

Further back, there are sporty side skirts, flush-mounted door handles, and 19- or 20-inch wheels. The model also has a unique rear bumper that replaces traditional exhaust tips with diffuser fins.

More interestingly, the CLA is the first car in its class to embrace active aerodynamics. The sedan has a power-deployable spoiler, while the shooting brake adopts a roof-edge spoiler. They can be controlled automatically or manually.

Last but not least, customers can order Night and Dynamic Plus packages. The former adds high-gloss black accents, while the latter includes red brake calipers with black AMG lettering.

A Sportier Interior

The four-seat interior is instantly recognizable, but a tad less practical as the rear middle spot has been replaced by a shallow tray. That’s an odd decision, but the CLA features faux-leather and microfiber front sport seats with red contrast stitching. Customers can also opt for real leather, two-tone designs, and red seat belts.

Elsewhere, the model has unique aluminum trim, stainless-steel pedals, and AMG floor mats. They’re joined by a Nappa leather AMG Performance steering wheel, although microfiber and leather/ microfiber variants are also available.

We can also see an assortment of familiar screens. They include a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment system, and a 14-inch front passenger display.

Mercedes-AMG has teased a high-performance sedan, ahead of its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed tomorrow. The company isn’t saying much at this point, but promised the mystery model was designed for thrill seekers.

While the darkened teaser image doesn’t reveal many details, a little fiddling with the brightness confirms we’re looking at the CLA. Details are hard to make out, but we can see lightweight wheels and red brake calipers. Elsewhere, there’s front fender badging and what appears to be sportier side skirts.

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

The automaker is staying tight-lipped, but spy photographers have snapped the high-performance sedan on multiple occasions. Besides the aforementioned tweaks, the car has a more aggressive front bumper and an active rear spoiler. We can also expect a sportier rear end to help distinguish the AMG variant from the regular model.

Interior changes will likely be minor, but should include sport seats and an AMG steering wheel. We can also expect special trim and upholstery. They should be joined by a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment system, and a 14-inch front passenger display.

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We’ll learn full details tomorrow, but previous reports have suggested the car could have up to three axial flux motors from Mercedes’ Yasa subsidiary. If the rumor mill pans out, they could deliver a combined output in excess of 500 hp (373 kW / 507 PS).

That would be a notable improvement over the CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ Technology. It has an 85 kWh battery pack, which feeds a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing 349 hp (260 kW / 354 PS) and 380 lb-ft (515 Nm) of torque. This enables the model to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in around 4.8 seconds, hit a top speed of 130 mph (209 km/h), and have an EPA range of 312 miles (502 km).

Reaction to Mercedes-AMG’s new electric 4-Door GT has certainly split the room. Its gaping gob, rounded surfacing and unconventional rear have set the comment sections at each other’s throats. For all the prancing horses in this world, though, it could look a lot worse than it does.

Read: Mercedes-AMG’s Upcoming EV Looks Bland, But Will Let The Performance Do The Talking

Whether buyer sentiment overpowers internet diatribe remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: AMG are amping up momentum with a high-riding, SUV counterpart that brings supercar performance to a more user-friendly package.

Slipping Through The Wind

AMG’s crossover will borrow heavily from the GT sedan’s aesthetic playbook. Our spy shot-based illustration reveals a taller, more practical body with a low-slung ‘Panamericana’ nose and a slim, full-width light strip. Large intakes, shapely front fenders and a heavily sculpted hood exude a go-fast presence.

Also: Hyundai’s IONIQ V Has Lambo Looks And 225 HP, So We Imagined The N

In profile, a long wheelbase in tandem with a relatively low roofline cements a planted stance. Flush  door handles, large wheels and pronounced rear haunches also contribute to the look. Out back, the tri-circle taillights are housed in a better-resolved black panel than the GT sedan, and an integrated roof spoiler is more function than form. Whether it gains the sedan’s optional active ‘Aerokinetics’ rear diffuser remains to be seen.

Nightclub On Wheels

The interior of the new AMG GT 4-Door Coupe EV.

The cabin will largely be copy-pasted from the sedan, with extra cargo space thrown in. Expect a 14-inch driver-oriented digital instrument cluster and a 10.2-inch infotainment display running Mercedes-Benz MB.OS software. The MBUX-based system also brings over-the-air updates, connected services, and AI integration.

Also: A Bill Built To Stop Chinese Cars Could Ban Mercedes From America

Other goodies will include an augmented-reality head-up display, Burmester 4D surround sound, performance telemetry, and customizable drive modes. Red contrast stitching, heavily bolstered Alcantara sports seats, and carbon fiber trim will finish off the performance look inside.

The Fundamentals

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AMG’s hyper SUV will ride on the automaker’s AMG.EA architecture, developed exclusively for high-performance vehicles. The aluminium-intensive structure is abundant with high-strength materials and weight-saving measures.

Read: Nissan’s New Skyline Is Coming To America As The Q50, And It May Bring Back The Manual

Its higher center of gravity is kept in check with adaptive air suspension, rear-axle steering and active roll stabilization. Advanced torque-vectoring and chassis management help the sports driving experience.

Flux Power

Mirroring its sedan sibling, the electric powertrain will feature axial-flux motors developed by YASA, which are compact and lighter compared to radial-flux motors. 

Also: 2027 BMW X5 Drops Door Handles For Wings, Adds A 435-Mile Electric iX5

The headline act is the GT 63 tri-motor configuration, with 1153 horsepower (860 kW) and 1475 ft-lbs (2000 Nm) of torque. Power is fed to all four wheels, enabling a 0-60 mph time in about 2.5 seconds. The lower-powered GT 55 variant still offers a thumping 805 hp (600kW).

Power comes from a 106 kWh high-performance battery featuring cylindrical cells and advanced cooling. An F1-developed 800-volt architecture will support DC fast charging up to 600 kW in ideal conditions and offer a WLTP range of up to 435 miles (700 km). It will also feature synthesized gear shifting accompanied by a faux V8 soundtrack.

Rivals and Reveal

Mercedes-AMG’s flagship electric SUV will target the upper echelon of the performance market, taking on the Porsche Cayenne Electric, Lotus Eletre, and Xiaomi YU7 GT.

Related: Mercedes-AMG Plans 27 New Cars In 36 Months To Catch BMW’s M

With prototype testing underway, expect the production model to debut early next year. When it arrives, it will become the second model built on the AMG.EA platform.

Does the GT in SUV guise redeem the sedan’s controversial look? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Illustrations Josh Byrnes / Carscoops

Mercedes unveiled the C-Class Electric in April, so attention is now turning to the AMG variant. A prototype was recently spied undergoing testing in the Alps and it should be far more attractive than the latest GT 4-Door.

While the prototype is heavily camouflaged, it closely resembles the standard model. However, we can expect a fully enclosed version of the company’s Panamericana grille. The images also suggest the bumper will mimic the one found on the AMG Line variants.

More: Mercedes’ Electric C-Class Is The BMW i3’s Neue Nightmare

The sides more readily identify this as an AMG variant as we can see lightweight wheels that are backed up by a high-performance braking system. The latter feature ventilated discs as well as golden brake calipers. They’re joined by black mirror caps and familiar looking side skirts.

While it’s odd seeing an AMG variant without a four-tailpipe exhaust system, the C-Class EV appears to have an active rear spoiler. We also wouldn’t be surprised to find a sportier diffuser.

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Spy photographers didn’t get a look inside, but the cabin should largely carryover from the standard model. This means we can expect a minimalist interior with an MBUX Superscreen that consists of a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment system, and a 14-inch passenger display.

Customers should also be able to get a 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen, a dual wireless smartphone charger, and an illuminated panoramic glass roof. The model also offers Burmester 3D and 4D sound systems with stainless steel speaker grilles.

Since this is a high-performance variant, we can expect the interior will come equipped with an AMG steering wheel as well as standard sport seats. We also wouldn’t be surprised to find unique trim and special accents.

The C400 4MATIC Electric features a 94 kWh battery pack that feeds a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing 482 hp (360 kW / 489 PS) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque. This enables the model to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds and have a WLTP range of up to 473 miles (762 km). Buyers will also find a 330 kW DC fast charging capability, which enables the car to get 202 miles (325 km) of range in as little as 10 minutes.

The AMG variant will undoubtedly be more powerful, but details remain hazy. However, rumors have suggested the car might have a tri-motor setup with around 789 hp (588 kW / 800 PS). That remains to be seen, but a debut could come later this year.

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Spy photographers have snapped the electric Mercedes GLA on multiple occasions, but now they’ve gotten up close and personal with the AMG variant. It’s a hot electric crossover that looks suspiciously like a supersized hatchback.

While the front end is heavily disguised, it will likely follow in the footsteps of the CLA and GLB. Details are hard to make out, but we can see star-infused headlights and a wide lower intake.

More: AMG’s Baby Mercedes SUV Could Pack 500 HP And A Drift Mode

The side profile is more revealing as there are extended fender flares that hint at a wider track. The performance variant is also notable for riding on lightweight wheels that are backed up by a beefy braking system with red calipers up front. They’re accompanied by low-profile tires and a sport-tuned suspension, which appears to have a lower ride height.

It’s hard to tell this is an AMG variant as the prototype’s booty is completely unremarkable. However, the production model could be distinguished by a slightly sportier bumper.

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Putting the bland exterior aside, the cabin will largely carryover from its MMA counterparts. That being said, there are some notable performance touches including a leather and Alcantara flat-bottom steering wheel. The steering wheel also has two lower ‘buttons’ with integrated displays.

Elsewhere, we can see silver trim and heavily bolstered seats with white contrast stitching. The screens are largely covered, but we can expect a familiar 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch infotainment system. They should be joined by an optional 14-inch front passenger display.

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The GLA Electric is expected to be offered in 250+ and 350 4MATIC guise. In the CLA, the latter has an 85 kWh battery pack and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of 349 hp (260 kW / 354 PS) and 380 lb-ft (515 Nm) of torque. It enables the sedan to accelerate from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.8 seconds and have an EPA range of 312 miles (502 km).

The AMG variant will undoubtedly improve on those numbers and rumors have suggested the crossover could have three axial flux motors producing more than 500 hp (373 kW / 507 PS). They could be accompanied by a unique battery with a higher energy density than the regular model.

The recently introduced AMG GT 4-Door has a similar layout as it has two axial flux motors out back and one up front. However, that model has a far higher output of 1,153 hp (860 kW / 1,169 PS).

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