2027 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Shocks With 670 Horsepower

The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 has always been known for delivering serious performance from a compact luxury sedan. For 2027, however, Mercedes-AMG has taken the model in a completely different direction. Instead of relying on a turbocharged gasoline engine, the newest CLA 45 embraces electric power, and the result is far more powerful than many enthusiasts expected.

Rather than producing around 500 horsepower as many early reports suggested, the new model arrives with an incredible 670 horsepower available during peak output. Continuous power is rated at 603 horsepower, which is still enough to place the car among the quickest vehicles in its class. That dramatic increase comes from an advanced electric drivetrain featuring 3 axial flux motors developed by Mercedes-Benz subsidiary YASA, a company already recognized for supplying high-performance electric motors used in some of the world’s most exotic hypercars.

One of the biggest engineering surprises is how the power is delivered. The two motors mounted at the rear axle generate enough performance to achieve the car’s maximum output, while the front motor steps in only when additional traction or efficiency is required. This intelligent setup allows the CLA 45 to operate as a rear-wheel-drive performance sedan under many driving conditions while instantly transforming into an all-wheel-drive machine whenever extra grip is needed. Mercedes-AMG has even made it possible to drive the car with maximum performance available while remaining in rear-wheel drive mode.

The performance numbers speak for themselves. The sprint from 0 to 62 miles per hour takes only 2.7 seconds, placing the electric CLA 45 in supercar territory. Top speed reaches 155 miles per hour as standard, while buyers choosing the optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package can increase that figure to 168 miles per hour. Those are impressive statistics considering the sedan weighs 5,026 pounds because of its large battery pack.

Mercedes-AMG also understands that many longtime enthusiasts enjoy the emotional connection created by a combustion engine. Instead of ignoring that reality, the company developed a driving experience that attempts to recreate many of those familiar sensations. Drivers can activate a special performance mode that generates simulated engine sounds modeled after a high-performance 4-cylinder engine. Steering wheel paddle shifters create virtual gear changes, while seat-mounted actuators produce vibrations that mimic an internal combustion powertrain. The digital instrument display even responds with simulated engine speed and gear changes, creating a surprisingly immersive driving experience.

Whether these electronic features can truly replace the feeling of a gasoline-powered performance car will certainly be debated for years. Still, Mercedes-AMG deserves credit for trying something different rather than simply producing another silent electric vehicle. The company is clearly aiming to preserve the excitement that has long defined its performance models while adapting to an electric future.

Power is supplied by a 94 kilowatt-hour battery featuring new silicon oxide and graphite technology that increases energy density by approximately 20 percent compared with more traditional battery designs. That technology helps the sedan achieve an estimated driving range of up to 416 miles under the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure testing cycle, making it one of the more capable long-distance electric performance sedans currently available.

Charging performance also benefits from the latest technology. Thanks to its advanced 800 volt electrical architecture, the CLA 45 supports direct current fast charging at up to 330 kilowatts. Under ideal conditions, charging from 10 percent to 80 percent takes approximately 22 minutes. Even more impressive, a quick 10-minute charging stop can add roughly 168 miles of driving range, making longer road trips much more practical.

Not every market will see this remarkable performance sedan immediately. Although the 2027 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 showcases just how advanced Mercedes-Benz electric performance technology has become, the model is not currently expected to arrive in the United States. Even so, it offers an exciting glimpse into the future of AMG performance, combining astonishing acceleration, advanced battery technology, and innovative engineering in a package that challenges nearly everything enthusiasts expected from the next generation of the CLA 45.