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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Mercedes is working on a facelifted C-Class and they’re also gearing up to introduce a fully electric variant. However, the two models will have little in common besides the name.

Speaking of which, the car will likely be known as the C-Class with EQ Technology. While that’s far from catchy, the model has a fully enclosed grille and a slender central intake. We can also see sweptback headlights, but they’re temporary units that will likely be replaced by starry production lights.

More: 2026 Mercedes-AMG C-Class EV Takes Aim At Tesla Model 3 Performance

Moving further back, there’s streamlined bodywork and flush-mounted door handles. The electric sedan also has an upward sweeping beltline that echoes the one found on the EQE and EQS. We can also see stylish two-tone wheels and thick side skirts, which help to hide the car’s battery pack.

While spy photographers have caught multiple prototypes over the past year, this one is notable for having a production rear end. It features an angular trunk with an integrated spoiler. We can also see circular starry taillights, similar to those found on the CLA. They’re joined by a rounded bumper that looks rather plain.

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Spy photographers didn’t get a good look inside this time, but previous pictures have shown the car will have a high-tech interior that follows in the footsteps of the CLA. This likely means we can expect a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment system, and a 14-inch front passenger display.

While that remains to be seen, the cabin sports a stylish steering wheel and slender air vents. We can also see an in-cabin camera as well as a minimalist design that largely eschews physical switchgear.

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Mercedes has been tight-lipped about the car, but it rides on the new MB.EA platform and will likely have a lot in common with the GLC EV. This means we can expect an 800-volt architecture as well as DC fast charging rates in excess of 320 kW.

Rear- and all-wheel drive powertrains are expected and we can also look forward to a standard heat pump. The car could also have advanced batteries with a special cell chemistry as well as a new braking system that combines the brake booster, master cylinder, and the electronic stability control system into one compact module.

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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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AMG dropped a set of teaser images for its new EV sedan earlier this month, officially starting the countdown to a full reveal later this year. There’s plenty about the still-unnamed four-door to get us excited, including the new AMG.EA architecture and axial flux electric motors from Britain’s Yasa that should deliver a four-figure power output.

Related: AMG’s First Super Sedan Looks Ready To Fire Off Its 1,000-HP

Each of those motors packs a serious punch, cranking out around 480 horsepower and 590 lb-ft (800Nm) of torque, which is pretty impressive given their compact size weighing in at just 53 lbs (24kg). With up to three motors on the table, it’s not hard to imagine a performance version blasting well past 1,000 horsepower.

A Closer Look at the Exterior

But now we’ve got something even better than speculative specs: new spy shots. For the first time, we get to see the EV in daylight without its bulky front-end camouflage. Does the design match the promise of those numbers? Well, sort of.

Though this prototype is still covered from head to toe in a distracting camouflage wrap, we can finally see the shape of the front fenders, hood and headlights, and I can’t help feeling a little disappointed. Mercedes has a bit of form for over-promising and under-delivering when it comes to concept cars and the production vehicles they morph into – think gorgeous Vision EQS and boring soap-bar EQS – and this EV looks to be no different.

It misses out on the sexy peaked fenders of 2022’s Mercedes Vision AMG Concept, which paved the way for way for this year’s Porsche Taycan rivaling production car. Instead, it has a fairly flat hood, though one that does at least reach down towards the road, resulting in a sportily narrow grille area.

And while it has DRLs in the shape of a Mercedes star, it looks like they’re just set into regular light units, not embedded directly into the bodywork, as on the concept. Porsche’s production Taycan wasn’t identical to the original Mission E concept, but the changes were so subtle that no one ever felt short-changed. AMG fans might be on this occasion.

Of course we have to reserve judgment until the full disguise comes off, and we really do hope the finished car is a knockout. What do you think? Does it look like AMG has missed an opportunity to really make its mark in a new segment, or is this EV going to deliver a killer blow to the Porsche Taycan?

Images: Baldauf, Mercedes AMG

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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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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