Caught recently at and around the German Nurburgring is the 2020 Mercedes CLA 45, though it might become the 2021 model with the way things are going. That said, the model looks nearly ready to come out, with all its sporty bits having been properly painted and finished.
Partially blacked out headlights and super-wide air intakes differentiate this AMG from the standard CLAs and there's also something from the AMG GT 63 4-door in the way the main grille is shaped – certainly not a coincidence. The suspension of the CLA 45 is obviously lower than the standard model, by about an inch. It almost looks like a tuning project, even though this is the way AMG wants it.
Around the back is a larger diffuser, flanked by quad exhaust pipes and a trunk lid spoiler, all of which keep the CLA 45 glued to the ground. The thing trying to make it take off will be the most powerful production 2-litre out there.
Thanks to leaked A45 specs, we have a pretty good idea what to expect here. The standard CLA 45 will have 387bhp, while the new 45 S model would boast 421bhp. That's enough to scare even the performance cars from the segment above, like the M3. And it should be fun not only in a straight line, but taking corners. And as Mercedes is busy working a drift mode for the A45, that will certainly be offered here as well.
