Why The Mercedes CLA 45 Is The AMG For Non-Sadists

For years, AMG Mercs have been about big engines with big performance sent to the rear wheels. Mostly V8s, with the occasional V6 thrown in there. With the arrival of the A45 AMG superhatch, though, all that changed, thanks to the car's 2.0-litre four-pot and four-wheel drive system, which, shock horror, sends most of the power to the front wheels. Can a car like this ever be worthy of those three magical letters on the bootlid? With the keys to the CLA 45, the A45's sharper-suited brother, we had the chance to find out.

After a brief scrabble for traction, the tyres quickly find grip and fire you down the road

For starters, any worries about the engine quickly dissipate after a quick glance of the spec sheet: with a twin-scroll turbocharger this thing chucks out a butch 355bhp and 332lb/ft of torque, enough to launch you from 0-62mph in just 4.6 seconds, and on to an electronically-restrained 155mph top speed. And it feels every bit as quick as those figures suggest. The roads were soaking during our test, but after a brief scrabble for traction, the tyres quickly find grip and fire you down the road at a deranged rate.

There's the briefest bit of lag, but when the turbo comes on song you're pinned to your seat as the scenery becomes blurry. The engine even sounds pretty decent for a four-banger, with a pleasing growl emitted by the 2.0-litre unit.

With the car's seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox set to sport or manual mode, each upchange is accompanied by a snuffle from the exhausts. It's deliberately synthesised and the cynic in me wanted to hate it because of that, but there's no getting away from the fact that it's deeply satisfying, not to mention rudely loud.

The gearbox isn't perfect, though. It feels a little dim-witted compared to Audi's slick S-Tronic system, and the shift paddles are frustratingly small. Quite why this car isn't fitting with the more generously proportioned items found on V8 AMG models, we're not sure. It's worth noting there's no option for a proper manual 'box either. That being said manual mode is a little more manual-like than the S-Tronic system; you won't find it downshifting under a boot-full like the Audi system does.

Pleasingly, the CLA isn't just a ballistic missile on the straights, it also devours corners. The steering is a little on the light side but nicely sharp, and with the four-wheel drive system you have incredible grip to catapult you out of each corner. The suspension is reasonably firm but never uncomfortable, although it does become slightly unsettled on bumpier ground.

This all sounds quite promising, dim-witted gearbox and tiny paddles aside, so what's not to like? Well, there's Merc's latest nailed-on-tablet-like nav system that I'm really not a fan of, and the interior quality feels lacking given the price. Speaking of which, the CLA 45 will set you back a colossal £42,265.

It may have more power than the Audi S3 saloon - the closest thing the CLA 45 has to a rival - but it's damn near £10k more than its Ingolstadt competitor. And with a few options boxes ticked, our test car came to an incredible £52,365. Can the premium really be justified? Unlike the CLA, the S3 is a car with very few discernible flaws, but the Merc has something in spades that the Audi could do with a lot more of: excitement.

You can be brutal with it in the way you drive, and the CLA will reward you for it.

The way the CLA hurtles you around a windy road, with its surging acceleration, popping exhaust and incredible grip is nothing short of exhilarating. You can be brutal with it in the way you drive, and the CLA will reward you for it. The car also has an almost mischievous feel to it, despite being one the most manageable AMG Mercs for the road. I took a 549bhp CLS 63 AMG down the same stretch of tarmac in the same conditions (more on that story soon), and I was nowhere near as quick; it felt as though all the extra power would be a complete waste in those conditions for anyone who isn't recklessly brave or incredibly skilled.

The CLA is also a fine-looking thing; that CLS-style 'coupe' look translates well to the car's compact dimensions, and I'd say it's easier on the eyes than the A45 on which it's based. With slightly softer suspension, it's also easier to live with, if you can cope with a considerably smaller boot.

It may be a more sensible choice than its more powerful brethren, but that crazy price and the flaws mean the CLA 45 is always going to be a heart rather than head-made purchase, but it's a choice I can understand. Most importantly, though, is it worthy of the letters A, M and G on the bootlid? Hell yes.