Mercedes-AMG has set a segment lap record at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife with the fully electric CLA 45 4MATIC+, which completed the 12.9-mile circuit in an officially measured and notarized time of 7:32.070 on July 28. The company says the time makes the four-door the fastest vehicle in its segment on the Nordschleife, set on the first attempt in summer conditions with an ambient temperature of 75°F and a track temperature of 86°F. Unfortunately, Mercedes has confirmed the electric CLA 45 will not be sold in the United States.
Power comes from three axial-flux motors, two on the rear axle and one on the front, making the CLA 45 only the second fully electric production vehicle to use the technology after the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé. Combined output reaches up to 671 hp (500 kW), good for 0-62 mph in 2.7 seconds, and the liquid-cooled motors are controlled independently through a fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring between the rear wheels. The motors draw from a lithium-ion battery with 94 kWh of usable capacity, rated at more than 416 miles of WLTP range for the sedan and 398 miles for the Shooting Brake, and the record car ran Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires.
Driver Kevin Berger set the lap in the RACE drive program, available as part of the optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package, with the car’s steel-sprung AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension using adaptive three-way adjustable damping. An active rear spoiler, a first for the segment according to Mercedes, adjusts its angle by drive program and stays deployed at all times in RACE mode, while active cooling shutters remain almost fully closed at speeds up to 155 mph to reduce drag. A Predictive Performance Manager analyzes the track layout and distributes battery energy where it has the greatest effect on lap time, with a SPRINT strategy for a single fastest lap and a RACE strategy for consistent repeated laps.
