Mercedes-AMG’s upcoming CLA 45 S hot compact has leaked on the brand’s German configurator, ahead of its debut.
The leak was discovered by a reader of Germany’s Auto Bild magazine, who uncovered singular image of a grey AMG-badged CLA upon exploring the optional packages available for the CLA 35 on the German configurator.
Look at the badge in the corner of the bootlid and you’ll notice this is no ordinary CLA 35 – it’s the full-bore CLA 45 S.
To distinguish it from lesser AMG A-Class models, the 45 features quad exhaust tips (in place of the 35’s dual units), 19-inch star-style alloy wheels, big brakes clamped by red calipers, tinted LED tail-lights and a larger black lip spoiler.
Sadly, only the rear three-quarter image was published on Mercedes’ site, so we are unable to see the car’s front end. However, based on previous spy shots, it’s likely that it will be inspired by the much larger, V8-powered AMG GT 63 S – click here to see Redline’s interpretation of how its A45 hatch sibling should look.
AMG has stayed mum on the new CLA45’s powertrain, though thanks to a leak earlier this year, we know it’ll use a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder available in two states of tune: an entry CLA 45 model with 285kW, along with a top-trim CLA 45 S (the one leaked here) producing 310kW.
Considering the five-door A45 hatch is yet to be revealed, a debut for the fast CLA shouldn’t happen until late this year or early 2020.
Redline 