Mercedes-AMG CLA45 Facelift Review

To my fellow petrolheads and enthusiasts: I am a sinner, and I have sinned. That is what the new CLA45 S 4Matic+ made me realise within minutes of being behind its wheel.

During these past months, numerous EVs have passed through these hands. Their instantaneous torque delivery and acceleration have distracted me. Lulled by their quietness, I became accustomed to silent commutes.

But the CLA45 has made me see the light, for it reminded me of what I've been missing and re-awakened a passion buried deep within. I am now ready to repent and make amends.

The vertical grilles are more prominent and the tristar badge has been swapped for an AMG one

Familiar fuzzy feelings

In our world, we worship the internal combustion engine (preferably one with either six or eight cylinders) and adore the 'sweet' scent of petrol wafting into our noses. "Praise be to the engineers and their delightful creations!"

The shark-nosed CLA45, though, is more purposeful than pretty, and continues to feature large air intakes at the front end. An AMG-specific grille makes this model distinct from its 'regular' CLA180 sibling.

Forged 19-inch black alloy wheels, now in a different design, further enhance the CLA45's appearance, along with the perforated brake rotors behind them. These measure 360mm in front and 330mm in the rear.

The perforated brake rotors peer out from behind those tasty matte black alloys

Eagle-eyed observers, however, can tell that this is the updated model as the bonnet is now adorned with the AMG-Affalterbach badge instead of the usual three-pointed star.

And while both the head lights and taillights have the same shape, they have been upgraded and have different light signatures compared to the previous model.

Should Mercedes-AMG have done more to make the model stand out from its predecessor? It's debatable. Currently, the brand is not in the habit of making its models look loud. Besides, the more noticeable changes are found inside, not outside.

The 'AMG' logo on the dashboard is unnecessary, as is the move to the new steering wheel and capacitive touch switchgear

Drivers get the 'latest' AMG steering wheel, with the dual stack of capacitive touch buttons. However, they are neither as direct nor as responsive as conventional buttons that were on the previous wheel.

More welcome, on the other hand, is the move to the second-generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX). With it, the CLA45 does away with the trackpad and shortcut keys in favour of a storage tray, which might be useful for holding a carpark voucher.

Another much-appreciated improvement is the addition of rear air-con vents, which the pre-facelift model did not have. Now, cool air can easily reach rear occupants.

Rear occupants finally have a pair of air vents to help keep them cool

Hot under the hood

A combustion engine must be revved if it is to deliver, and this is precisely why it's exciting. There is still time for tension to build and anxiety to swell, whereas putting your foot down in a powerful EV is like making the jump into hyperspace.

The CLA45's heart remains unchanged. It's a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with a twin-scroll turbocharger bolted on to it, producing 416bhp at 6,750rpm and 500Nm from 5,000-5,250rpm. As with all proper AMG engines, it is meticulously assembled by a single engineer, whose name adorns a plaque on the engine cover.

Turbocharged 2.0-litre unit still kicks out 416bhp and 500Nm of torque, and these figures are best deployed using the manual override function

Said powerplant remains wonderfully tractable and given how the maximum outputs occur at higher rpms, it's linear as well. Channelling these figures to both axles is an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, whose first to fourth gears have relatively short ratios.

This setup gives better responsiveness and stronger acceleration from a standstill, while still enabling you to stretch the second and third without going way over the limit. Using the Individual drive mode setting, put the engine in 'Dynamic' and the gearbox in 'Manual'. Now prepare to party.

The CLA45 S is naughty by nature, and wants nothing more than to be let loose

Right off the line, the CLA45 S reminds me of what I've missed all along: The feel of a living and breathing entity. Indeed, the CLA45's motor is tinged with gruffness, but it also feels alive, with its low-end growling becoming an irritated roar as the revs climb.

And the CLA45 S thrives on revs. It's happiest when the needle swings past the 5,000rpm mark and you feel vibrations coming through the steering wheel as the sedan angrily surges forward. It's a car that won't take 'no' for an answer, and I'm happy to oblige.

It hates slow-moving traffic, so when a gap opens, you can't help but gun the engine in irritation. The sight of a clear stretch gets your heart pumping - this doesn't happen in an EV. In the CLA45, you want to keep winding up the motor in anticipation of its performance.

The AMG-specific displays enhance the car's raciness, while the customisable Dynamic Select lets you tailor the car to your driving style

Bluster without the fluster

Zero to 100km/h arrives in 4.1 seconds, but you can redline second gear with the instrument panel and heads-up display flashing without doing stupid speeds - ideal for merging onto expressways. In more powerful EVs, you're immediately catapulted towards the horizon without fanfare.

When it comes to corners, the CLA45 is more than eager - it's impatient. With 4Matic+ all-wheel drive offering fully variable torque distribution, along with those sticky 19-inch Continental SportContact 6 tyres, traction is plentiful.

AMG-specific suspension, an underbody shear plate and a front strut tower further enhance the CLA45's abilities. To this, the car adds negative camber (check out that stance) and good poise.

Interestingly, the CLA45 does not feel like it has a rear-wheel drive bias; offering a more balanced feel of both front and rear instead. The nose is relatively obedient and the helm more communicative than expected, giving you an idea of what's happening up front.

Emission regulations have made performance cars quieter over the years, but you can still open the exhaust valve to liven up the proceedings

That said, if I had to think of a word that best describes the CLA45, it would be 'naughty'. With the engine buzzing, exhaust growling and the chassis eager to follow your directions, repressing the urge to misbehave is a challenge.

Every bend is an opportunity to fling (or is it flog?) the car around, preferably in a ham-fisted manner. Rather than being hairy, the CLA45 is relatively forgiving - except when it comes to its appetite for fuel.

Whether you blame it on the short gear ratios or on your behaviour, the frequent trips to your preferred petrol kiosk will be a reality. I averaged 5.5km/L in urban conditions and was lucky to even see 10km/L while cruising on the expressway.

A return to the fold

If there's one thing that the CLA45 S does well, it would be restoring a petrolhead's faith in the power of internal combustion. Electric motors deliver performance with superb efficiency; but even in highly tuned machines, they lack soundtrack and flair.

That is the cold reality of EVs, but even more bitter was the realisation that I had allowed myself to be swept up by the immediacy of their performance and the silence with which it is delivered.

I am ready to repent and make amends, and if need be, continue driving the CLA45 S as my penance.

These stories may also interest you

The Audi RS3 Sedan delivers what's expected of a premium compact sedan, along with astounding power, razor-sharp handling and neck-breaking attention from whoever you drive by

While lithe and agile, the M2 requires the finesse of a capable driver to harness its power and dance gracefully on the tarmac