Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Breaks Nürburgring Class Record

Mercedes-AMG is entering a new era, and the latest CLA 45 4Matic+ is proving that electrification does not mean sacrificing performance. While many enthusiasts are still debating whether an electric AMG can deliver the same excitement as the gasoline-powered models that came before it, the newest CLA has already answered one important question. It is incredibly fast.

Only weeks after making its global debut, the all-electric performance sedan has earned a major achievement by becoming the fastest vehicle in its class around Germany’s legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife. That accomplishment immediately puts the new model in the spotlight and gives Mercedes-AMG something to celebrate as sales begin.

The official lap took place on July 28 under nearly ideal weather conditions. With the air at 24 degrees Celsius and the track surface reaching 30 degrees Celsius, the CLA 45 completed the famous 20.832-kilometer circuit in an officially measured and certified time of 7:32.070. That performance established a new benchmark for production vehicles in its segment on one of the most demanding racing circuits in the world.

Unlike previous generations that relied on the well-known turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, this latest CLA embraces a completely different approach. Power now comes from 3 advanced axial-flux electric motors that work together to produce as much as 671 horsepower. The result is astonishing acceleration, allowing the sedan to sprint from 0 to 62 miles per hour in only 2.7 seconds.

Mercedes-AMG designed the new powertrain to deliver more than just straight-line speed. Each electric motor is compact and independently controlled, allowing the vehicle to continuously adjust how power is distributed between the front and rear axles. The system also features individual torque vectoring across the rear wheels, helping the sedan remain stable while maximizing grip through high-speed corners.

Keeping an electric performance car operating at its peak during an entire Nürburgring lap is no easy task. Mercedes-AMG addressed that challenge by using a sophisticated liquid cooling system for all 3 motors, allowing them to maintain maximum performance even during sustained high-speed driving. Intelligent energy management also plays a significant role, carefully balancing power delivery and battery performance throughout demanding laps.

The record-setting vehicle also benefited from several performance-focused upgrades. It was equipped with the optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package, which includes the Race driving program used during the lap. Sticky Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires provided exceptional grip, while an active aerodynamic package helped improve both stability and efficiency. One of the most interesting features is the active rear spoiler, which automatically adjusts to optimize aerodynamic balance depending on speed and driving conditions.

Behind the wheel was Mercedes-AMG development driver Kevin Berger, who pushed the new sedan to its limits around every section of the Green Hell. Completing a lap at this pace requires precision, confidence, and a vehicle capable of delivering consistent performance from the opening straight to the final corner.

Mercedes-AMG leadership views this achievement as another chapter in the company’s long motorsport history. Chairman of the Board of Management Stefan Weckbach said racing has always been part of the brand’s identity and believes this Nürburgring record is only the beginning for AMG’s newest generation of electric performance vehicles.

For longtime AMG fans, the departure of iconic gasoline models like the previous CLA 45 and A 45 S may still feel bittersweet. Those cars earned a reputation for combining compact dimensions with explosive performance and unmistakable personality. The new electric CLA enters that legacy with enormous expectations, and while opinions about its character will continue to evolve, its performance credentials are already impossible to ignore.

Setting the fastest lap in its class on the Nürburgring is not something that happens by accident. It takes engineering, advanced technology, and countless hours of development to achieve a result like this. Whether enthusiasts ultimately embrace the shift toward electric performance or not, the newest Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 has already demonstrated that the future of the brand intends to compete at the highest level. It may sound different from its predecessors, but its speed around one of the world’s toughest racing circuits speaks louder than any engine note.