- Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 EV has become the fastest car in its class.
- Electric sedan lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:32.070.
- Car has a tri-motor powertrain producing 671 hp and 1,297 lb-ft.
The fully electric Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 was met with mixed reactions last month, so the company has decided to demonstrate its capability. There’s no better place for this than the Nürburgring, where the car blazed a trail on the Nordschleife.
When it was all said and done, the model crossed the finish line in 7:32.070. That means the CLA 45 is now the “fastest vehicle in its segment.”
More: 2027 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 EV Debuts With 3 Motors, 671 HP And A Vibrator
The record was set by Kevin Berger in Race mode, which is available as part of the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package. Besides the aforementioned mode, it raises the top speed to 168 mph (270 km/h) and throws in red or black calipers with contrasting AMG lettering. While the record breaking car appears to have been mostly stock, the company confirmed it was outfitted with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires.
The record was set on July 28 and Mercedes said it was made possible thanks to the CLA 45’s tri-motor powertrain. It consists of a front-mounted axial flux motor as well as two more located out back. The combination gives the car 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. Those are insane figures for a compact sedan and they enable the model to rocket from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in three seconds flat.
Power is provided by a 94 kWh battery pack, which gives the sedan a WLTP range in excess of 416 miles (670 km). 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.
Other highlights include variable torque distribution and torque vectoring as well as an AMG Ride Control sports suspension with steel springs and three-way adaptive damping. They’re joined by a high-performance braking system, active aerodynamics, and a screen-focused interior. The latter houses a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment system, and a 14-inch front passenger display.
