Wednesday 17th July 2019

Mercedes-AMG reveals CLA 45 Shooting Brake

The third variant of 45 arrives with up to 421hp, drift mode and a 505-litre boot

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Mercedes-AMG has followed up the recent reveal of its A45 hatch and saloon models with the launch of the Shooting Brake, a car which promises to combine the savage performance and newfound adjustability of its siblings with the practicality of a 505-litre boot. As you'll likely know, AMG's second-gen 45 series comes with a new 2.0-litre unit producing up to 421hp, meaning even this most family-friendly car can crack 62mph in just four seconds and hit a top speed of 168mph. Plenty of pace for a return run from the tip, then.

Those stats are for the more expensive S model (with the limiter-removing Driver's Pack), for which that headline power output applies. Like its less spacious siblings though, the 45 Shooting Brake is also available with a 387hp version of the four-pot. Still, it's the top model that has retaken the title of highest specific output for a production car engine - and makes most effective use of the 2.1-bar turbocharger and intricately designed exhaust manifold.

If you want the full technical lowdown on the tightly packaged, hand-assembled engine - about which there's a lot to say - AMG bragged about its innards and ultra-responsive characteristics earlier this year. Also carried over is the 45's new eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox and all-wheel drive system, complete with a clutch-enabled drift mode (an option on the normal 45 and standard on the S). The latter makes "powersliding possible" according to AMG, which means the Shooting Brake ought to earn its Affalterbach stripes more readily than the previous-gen car.

Adding to that is the new 45's inclusion of a Race mode (standard on the S) that should make the sleek-looking Shooting Brake defy its roominess with ultra-sharp responses and a racy exhaust note. AMG has also given the new 45 models a wider breadth of damper settings, which can be altered via the six Drive Select modes, suggesting that the Shooting Brake might not be an overly firm prospect for a family wagon. We're looking forward to finding out.

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[cerb4.5lee]

I can't help but be impressed by 421bhp from a four cylinder petrol engine. My old Cerbera only offered 420bhp(allegedly) and that was a 4.5 Litre V8!

Times have changed for the better in some ways for sure!

[Baldchap]

Well I'm sure it'll never be mistaken for an attractive car!

[Mabbs9]

Baldchap said:

Well I'm sure it'll never be mistaken for an attractive car!

I like most cars. But I agree that the CLA is one of three strangest looking things around. More so in this guise.

[Gameface]

I like it.

[Big GT]

Wrong on so many levels

[British Beef]

The proportions of these models is wrong. I think it is down to too much over hang front AND rear.

Then too much bodywork above the wheel arches, even with HUGE 19/20 in alloys.

Why they cannot proportion it more like an old C- class from 80s / 90s and style it with its current flair, they always looked great to my eyes and size wise are probably similar.

Perhaps these small engines still require vast engine bays for anciliaries, cooling and crash protection, which drives front end bulbous proportions?

[kambites]

British Beef said:

Why they cannot proportion it more like an old C- class from 80s / 90s and style it with its current flair, they always looked great to my eyes and size wise are probably similar.

The front overhang and huge amounts of metal over the front wheels are a direct result of the combination of it being transverse engined and the required clearance between the top of the engine and the bonnet for pedestrian impact reasons. With such a high front-end, they choose to also have a lot of metal over the rear wheels to avoid a dramatically falling shoulder-line (although the ridiculously high doors create a bit of a fall in the shoulder line anyway).

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 17th July 08:48

[Dan_1981]

I really like estates etc but these just look like they've melted a bit at each end.

[stongle]

Personnally, I think it looks pretty good from nearly all angles aside from directly side on. I think this design works better on the larger CLS - but they seemed to have dropped that for the new one.

Obviously Mercedes know what they are doing - but if I was in the market for such a small sporty estate I'd be looking at the (much cheaper) Focus ST or size up to M340 touring (despite both being cliched). If it's for yummy mummies (and school run bragging rights); can't see this getting a look in Vs a Velar which has an extra 50litres of boot space - handy for the Bugaboo Donkey.

[kultsch88]

better looking as an estate than the couple/saloon

is there an estate version of the A class saloon?

[rare6499]

I really like it.

Pretty much everything you need in a car, decent sized boot, lots of power, great to drive (I would assume based on the a35!).

[AMGSee55]

kambites said:

British Beef said:

Why they cannot proportion it more like an old C- class from 80s / 90s and style it with its current flair, they always looked great to my eyes and size wise are probably similar.

The front overhang and huge amounts of metal over the front wheels are a direct result of the combination of it being transverse engined and the required clearance between the top of the engine and the bonnet for pedestrian impact reasons. With such a high front-end, they choose to also have a lot of metal over the rear wheels to avoid a dramatically falling shoulder-line (although the ridiculously high doors create a bit of a fall in the shoulder line anyway).

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 17th July 08:48

It looks like it was penned originally as a more boxy shape that’s somehow sagged at the extremities. I love Merc estates but this one is not for me!

[mikey k]

Just found my next "work" car

[Arsecati]

I'm not convinced by the front (and as an estate car - it's still too small for my needs), but I think it looks great. If I was in the market, it would definitely be on the shortlist: though admittedly, considering the available alternatives, that would be a fairly short list!

[Krikkit]

Wtf is happening with niche-filling these days?

It's the "estate" of the saloon of a hatchback...

[Dog Star]

Dan_1981 said:

I really like estates etc but these just look like they've melted a bit at each end.

I think they look amazing. I've a new E class with all the AMG bits on, and while it looks massive and cool, I sometimes wish I'd hung on and got the bus for a couple of months and got one of these with the new interior (wide screen etc).

Got to be the coolest looking pseudo-estate out there (I doubt they're very practical, but do I care?)

[TheOrangePeril]

Now that's a handsome piece of design, interior is spot on too.

[G13NVL]

Perfect daily imo, quick, plenty of rear space get the dogs in, not to big.

[DaveCWK]

I do like a small fast estate, particularly in the SUV era. Interior is horrible though.

[kambites]

AMGSee55 said:

It looks like it was penned originally as a more boxy shape that’s somehow sagged at the extremities.

I think you've just described the transition from A-class to CLA iin general.