Mercedes establishes new performance segment with CLA45 AMG

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning an Mercedes-AMG high-performance vehicle, that’s actually affordable, it’s going to be getting a lot closer starting today. The first 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG will be seen on U.S. roads today and the Northern Lights Violet Metallic CLA45 AMG will be going fast. Mercedes will be in Washington DC today for a press day and you might see the performance-oriented CLA45 AMG motoring through the streets of the capital.

Mercedes is in the nations capital today taking the lucky press on a press drive and they’ll be test driving the all-new 2014 CLA250 and CLA45 AMG four-door coupes. The Northern Lights Violet Metallic car above is the first picture of the new CLA454 AMG shot on U.S. shores. And that’s good news because it will be on sale here starting in November.

If you’re a performance enthusiast here in the U.S. who’s dreamed of owning an Mercedes-AMG high-performance vehicle, that’s actually affordable, it could be a reality soon. The new 2014 CLA45 AMG will start at $47,450 making it affordable for a new younger generation of buyers. How about a sprint time of 0-60 in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph? It’s all possible because of Mercedes-AMG who is the performance division for the German automaker.

The CLA45 AMG is powered by the world's most powerful four-cylinder engine built in series production. The 2.0-liter turbo engine is hand-built by AMG and has a maximum power output of 355 hp and a peak torque of 332 lb.-ft. Combined with the new-generation Mercedes all-wheel-drive 4MATIC, the driver will be able to keep all four wheels firmly planted during the most spirited driving.

Mercedes-AMG included all the internal goodies on the CLA45 AMG. Other highlights include a sand-cast all aluminum crankcase, weight-optimized crank assembly with forged steel crankshaft and forged pistons with friction-optimized piston rings, NANOSLIDE cylinder lining technology, water-to-air intercooling, alternator management and ECO Start/Stop function. It gets the same high-tech engineering seen on much more expensive AMG supercars.

For performance enthusiasts, AMG provides an affordable sports car with all the AMG genes to make it a true performance four-door coupe. Ola Kallenius, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH stated, "In the CLA45 AMG, Mercedes-AMG presents a unique and absolutely desirable automobile with the characteristic AMG genes. The high-tech package with the world's most powerful four-cylinder production engine and performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive stands for 'Driving Performance' at its best."

Performance enthusiasts here in the U.S. can rejoice. Mercedes-Benz AMG establishes a new affordable segment with the exciting new four-door performance coupe 2014 CLA45 AMG. Look for it to go on sale in the U.S. this November.