Mercedes-AMG unveiled the electric CLA 45 last month, and the compact performer hasn’t taken a long time to show off its track prowess. The automaker has just reported that the 671-horsepower EV has set a new record in its segment around the 12.9-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife with a time of 7:32.070 minutes. That time moves it past several much more powerful EVs from the likes of Tesla and Porsche, confirming that this all-electric CLA is more than worthy of its AMG badge.
Powerful Motors and Sticky Tires Contribute to Brutal Lap Time
Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 EV Mercedes-AMG
The AMG CLA 45 is one of the most powerful EVs of its size. Three axial flow electric motors combine for outputs of 671 hp and 1,297 lb-ft of torque. Going quickly in a straight line was never in question—it can sprint from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 2.7 seconds—but the new lap time underlines how the car’s chassis, intelligent 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, and grippy Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires work together to meet the demands of the famous track.
Pleasantly summery air temperatures of around 75 degrees Fahrenheit made for ideal conditions when the CLA 45 completed its record run.
“AMG was born on the racetrack. In almost 60 years, we have proven with numerous vehicles that this DNA remains intact to this day,” said Dr. Stefan Weckbach, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH and Head of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class & Mercedes-Maybach business units. “The CLA 45 now writes the next chapter of this story. It is the fastest vehicle in its class on the world’s most demanding racetrack. A huge thank you to all the colleagues who made this record possible. I am certain: It will not be the last AMG record on the Nordschleife.”
How The CLA 45’s Time Matches Up
Mercedes-AMG
The CLA 45 achieved a quicker time than a few serious EVs. Back in 2022, the Porsche Taycan Turbo S set a time of 7:33 minutes, which the CLA has now beaten. It also beats the original Tesla Model S Plaid (without the Track Pack), which set a time of 7:35.579 minutes in 2021. In case you forgot, the Tesla produces over 1,000 hp.
A closer car in size and execution is the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N, which set a time of 7:35.42 earlier this year, putting it over three seconds behind the Mercedes.
Looking at smaller gas-powered cars, the CLA 45 wasn’t quite as fast as the agile BMW M2 CS, which achieved a run of 7:25.5, but the Merc was around a second faster than the lap completed by the Audi RS3 last year. It’s also a fraction quicker than the mighty Porsche 911 GT3 (991).
What It Means
Mercedes-AMG
Mercedes-AMG is on a mission to reclaim the magic inherent in most of its products throughout the 2000s and 2010s. It will do so by updating its classic V8 while concurrently launching a range of high-performance EVs like the CLA 45. Showing off the CLA’s capabilities on the Green Hell raises hopes that hardcore machines like the new AMG GT 4-Door will also shatter a few records. In total, AMG plans to launch an astonishing 27 new models over the next three or so years.
The CLA 45 also gives Mercedes a small, potent EV with few rivals. BMW and Audi don’t have anything comparable in their U.S. lineups yet, but an expected M version of the new BMW i3 will make for a fiery match-up with the CLA 45.
Related: Mercedes Just Started Building The Motor That Could Change AMG EVs
