Topic: First Drive: 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG

[ipolski]

I'm sorry, but FWD Benz with AMG badge = epic fail.  Wrong move by M-B.

Of course, that's what I've said about Porsche SUV, so what do I know???

[rrocket]

I'm sorry, but FWD Benz with AMG badge = epic fail.  Wrong move by M-B.

Of course, that's what I've said about Porsche SUV, so what do I know???

Umm....it's not FWD.  It's AWD.

[jyarkony]

I'm sorry, but FWD Benz with AMG badge = epic fail.  Wrong move by M-B.

Of course, that's what I've said about Porsche SUV, so what do I know???

if epic fail = huge sales, then i totally agree... i doubt it will have the success of the Cayenne, but the CLA will be a big success sales-wise even if it's not the darling of the remaining "AMG Benzes should only be armour-plated V8 (or V12 bi-turbo) RWD tanks" fanboys out there. How many Benzes do you lot buy every year, btw?

I think a compact four-door sedan with a 2.0 turbo is a better place for AMG to be spending their development resources and energy than a 30-year-old SUV platform... then again, they pretty much jsut stuff the AMG engine of the day in the G-wagen and let owners take themselves out of the gene pool if that's how they want to go.

[johngenx]

I don't care how many cylinders it has.  The TT-RS has an oddball 5-cyl that makes huge power.  This wee turbo engine sounds AWESOME.

I'm a little leery about the slip/grip AWD, but MB has a history of producing excellent systems, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

It looks terrific.  Way more expensive than it is.

[whaddaiknow]

I don't care how many cylinders it has.  The TT-RS has an oddball 5-cyl that makes huge power.  This wee turbo engine sounds AWESOME.

I'm a little leery about the slip/grip AWD, but MB has a history of producing excellent systems, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

It looks terrific.  Way more expensive than it is.

Agree.
And kudo's to Benz for pushing the envelope and pumping that much power out of 2L of displacement in stock form. That means they had to use high quality materials. For the price, I think I'd choose this benz over the 335i. This car also makes me want to spend more on a car than I normally would. No doubt it will sell, and sell well.

[ipolski]

I'm sorry, but FWD Benz with AMG badge = epic fail.  Wrong move by M-B.

Of course, that's what I've said about Porsche SUV, so what do I know???

if epic fail = huge sales, then i totally agree... i doubt it will have the success of the Cayenne, but the CLA will be a big success sales-wise even if it's not the darling of the remaining "AMG Benzes should only be armour-plated V8 (or V12 bi-turbo) RWD tanks" fanboys out there. How many Benzes do you lot buy every year, btw?

I think a compact four-door sedan with a 2.0 turbo is a better place for AMG to be spending their development resources and energy than a 30-year-old SUV platform... then again, they pretty much jsut stuff the AMG engine of the day in the G-wagen and let owners take themselves out of the gene pool if that's how they want to go.

I have no doubt they will sell them by the boatload, hence the reference to the Cayenne. It's gonna make a lot of $ for M-B and is a huge win for beancouters.
But what next? Smart AMG?

[ipolski]

I'm sorry, but FWD Benz with AMG badge = epic fail.  Wrong move by M-B.

Of course, that's what I've said about Porsche SUV, so what do I know???

Umm....it's not FWD.  It's AWD.

It's a FWD platform with slip-n-grip AWD system.

[OliverD]

I have no doubt they will sell them by the boatload, hence the reference to the Cayenne. It's gonna make a lot of $ for M-B and is a huge win for beancouters.
But what next? Smart AMG?

http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2013/4/1/AMG-Power-Coming-to-Smart-Cars-7713662/ 

[quadzilla]

+1

People here think MB only makes big rwd cars with big motors. When I was in Spain that was the model I saw the least, mostly people movers (big vans) or lots of A and B class cars.

I see nothing wrong this MB making a FWD car (the non AMG version) and many people will be happy to buy and drive it. Not everybody needs or cars about RWD.

If I was looking for a 50K sedan, this AMG version would be near the top of my list.

[mixmanmash]

I'm sorry, but FWD Benz with AMG badge = epic fail.  Wrong move by M-B.

Of course, that's what I've said about Porsche SUV, so what do I know???

Umm....it's not FWD.  It's AWD.

It's a FWD platform with slip-n-grip AWD system.

The slip-n-grip part of your statement has yet to be proven true.

[mixmanmash]

Why don't you wait to drive this thing before you $hit on it for a variety of things you haven't experienced yet? You just have your head in the sand.

It's like all the people on this forum that about the "crazy" price of a car they can't afford anyway.

"A Boxter for 100 grand?!?...way too much! Who would buy that!?!"

No $hit, you drive a $20, 000 car.

Agreed.

[ipolski]

I have no doubt they will sell them by the boatload, hence the reference to the Cayenne. It's gonna make a lot of $ for M-B and is a huge win for beancouters.
But what next? Smart AMG?

http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2013/4/1/AMG-Power-Coming-to-Smart-Cars-7713662/ 

Hehe... and it's already here 

[lebowski]

I'd be very curious to see how the CLA 45 stacks up against an S-tronic S4. On paper they seem like natural rivals.

Also I know I've mentioned this before but does anyone else here hate this new trend in smaller M-B interiors, wherein that nav screen is stuck floating at the top of the center console, like an afterthought $50 Garmin unit from Radio Shack? Just seems way out of place.

[tpl]

It works well for me, just in the right place to see clearly regardless of how dark or bright it is outside and I'd rather NOT have all the gadgetry that would be involved in making it hide away.  I can fit my Garmin just behind it on the dash ( I don't have the nav system)

Now I have only had it for a bit over a month so my opinion is worth little.


What is more. The B interior is bigger than the C-class and nearly as big as the E-class...not as wide for a 5th passenger tho'

[MKII]

CLA45 AMG's standard all-wheel-drive system adjusts torque from almost 100 percent front to up to 50 percent rear.
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1084849_2014-mercedes-benz-cla-45-amg-first-drive

[Snowman]

Like I said. FWD until slippage.

[mixmanmash]

Like I said. FWD until slippage.

It probably starts out in AWD to avoid torque steer / traction issues, especially under hard acceleration.

[rrocket]

Like I said. FWD until slippage.

But the Haldex in the TT can do the same thing...and there are no worries with the TT.

IIRC, the Haldex can go from 100 to 50/50 in 1/20th of a tire revolution...very, very quick.

I suspect the MB will be using something similar.

[Snowman]

Like I said. FWD until slippage.

It probably starts out in AWD to avoid torque steer / traction issues, especially under hard acceleration.

Just like the Mazdaspeed 6. I did not like the transition form untersteer to oversteer while cornering when slippage was detected. Might not be an issue for 95% of the buyers.

[Northernridge]

It's certainly stylish...but I'm still coming to terms with a cheap, 4 cylinder AMG car...that's mostly FWD per the comments above. I'm admittedly stuck in the old Mercedes head space. Still, the performance specs look pretty good, I suppose I need to step into the modern era.