Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Electric Debuts With 671 HP, 2.7-Second 0-62 MPH at Goodwood

Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the 2027 CLA 45 4MATIC+ electric sedan at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed, delivering 671 horsepower and 1,297 lb-ft of torque from a tri-motor setup featuring British-made axial-flux technology. The compact performance EV sprints from 0-62 mph in just 2.7 seconds with rollout, positioning it as the affordable entry point into AMG’s electrified performance lineup.

The CLA 45 employs three axial-flux motors—one at the front axle and two at the rear—producing a combined 500 kW of power. The two rear motors alone can deliver the full 671 hp output, with the front motor engaging only when extra traction is needed or in adverse conditions, enabling a dedicated drift mode for track enthusiasts.

British Motor Technology Keeps Weight in Check

Mercedes-AMG has partnered with British engineering firm YASA to supply the axial-flux motors, which differ fundamentally from the radial-flux units found in most electric vehicles. These axial-flux motors are lighter and more compact than traditional designs, helping mitigate the weight penalty from the 94 kWh battery pack and maintaining the agile handling characteristics AMG buyers expect.

The partnership underscores Mercedes’ strategic commitment to diversifying its electric powertrain supply chain beyond traditional German suppliers, while supporting British engineering talent in the competitive EV motor space.

Range, Charging, and Two Body Styles

Despite the performance focus, the CLA 45 EV achieves a WLTP range of 416 miles in sedan form, with the Shooting Brake wagon variant rated at 398 miles. Both variants benefit from 800-volt architecture enabling DC fast-charging at up to 330 kW, sufficient to replenish the battery from 10 to 80 percent in 22 minutes under optimal conditions.

The Shooting Brake—a sleek five-door wagon body style—has historically been a Europe and UK exclusive in the Mercedes lineup, and the pattern continues with the electric CLA 45. Mercedes-AMG confirmed the tri-motor flagship will remain exclusive to markets outside North America, though the U.S. is likely to receive a lower-output sedan variant.

Performance Versus Tesla, BMW, and Legacy AMG

The CLA 45’s 2.7-second 0-62 mph time (3.0 seconds without rollout) places it in rare company, matching or exceeding acceleration figures from the SLS AMG Black Series and outpacing the current electric performance sedan competition. The Tesla Model 3 Performance manages 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds, while the BMW i4 M50 requires 3.7 seconds. The upcoming electric BMW M3 will be the CLA 45’s most direct rival when it arrives in 2027.

Unlike the controversial AMG GT 4-Door Coupe—a six-figure flagship struggling to find an identity between the E-Class and S-Class—the CLA 45 occupies clearer territory as the compact, attainable AMG for younger buyers transitioning from combustion to electric power.

Specification	Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 EV
Power output	671 hp (500 kW)
Torque	1,297 lb-ft
0-62 mph	2.7 seconds (with rollout)
Battery capacity	94 kWh
WLTP range (sedan)	416 miles
WLTP range (Shooting Brake)	398 miles
DC fast-charging	330 kW (10-80% in 22 minutes)
Architecture	800V

Synthetic Sounds and Simulated Shifts

Recognizing that silence may alienate traditional AMG enthusiasts, Mercedes has engineered an elaborate sensory package. The CLA 45 features an ‘AMGFORCE S+’ mode with synthetic engine sounds mimicking the turbocharged four-cylinder CLA 45 of the combustion era, complete with fake gear shifts and vibrating seats designed to simulate the mechanical sensations of an internal combustion engine.

Whether these theatrical touches will satisfy purists or feel gimmicky remains to be seen. Porsche’s approach with the Taycan has been more subtle, while BMW’s M division has leaned into the silence. Mercedes is betting that replicating familiar sensations will ease the transition for loyal AMG customers.

What This Means for Buyers

The CLA 45 electric represents Mercedes-AMG’s clearest statement yet that electrification need not compromise performance credentials. For buyers, it offers supercar-level acceleration in a practical four-door package with genuine everyday usability thanks to the 416-mile range and rapid charging capability.

North American buyers face disappointment with the confirmed absence of the Shooting Brake and the likelihood that the tri-motor flagship will not cross the Atlantic. Expect a dual-motor variant with reduced output for the U.S. market, though official specifications and pricing have yet to be announced.

The strategic use of YASA’s axial-flux motors—lighter and more compact than radial designs—suggests Mercedes is serious about weight management in its performance EVs, a crucial factor that has plagued competitors like the Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan Turbo S, both of which struggle with kerb weights exceeding 2,300 kg.

Pricing details remain unconfirmed, but the CLA 45 EV should slot below the AMG EQE 53 and AMG EQS 53, likely landing in the £75,000-£85,000 bracket in the UK and $85,000-$95,000 in the U.S. when lower-output variants arrive. That positions it competitively against the BMW i4 M50 and well below the Porsche Taycan GTS, making it the most accessible route into genuine AMG electric performance.

Production begins in late 2026 at Mercedes’ Rastatt plant in Germany, with first deliveries expected in spring 2027 for European markets and summer 2027 for North America.