The electric Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 is set to raise the performance bar in the sporty compact segment with a three-motor powertrain producing 680 horsepower. Ahead of its launch later this year, Mercedes-AMG has also showcased the car’s capabilities with a Nürburgring Nordschleife lap completed in 7:32.070 minutes under notarized supervision.
Three Electric Motors Deliver 680 Horsepower
Mercedes-AMG’s upcoming CLA 45 (C174) marks a major shift for the brand’s compact performance lineup by adopting an all-electric drivetrain.
The vehicle is equipped with three axial-flux electric motors that generate a combined 500 kW, equivalent to 680 horsepower. According to Mercedes-AMG, the CLA 45 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds using the now-common 1-foot rollout measurement.
Those figures place the model well beyond the traditional performance range for the compact class, where the strongest vehicles have typically produced between 400 and 500 horsepower.
Mercedes-AMG Highlights Nürburgring Lap Time
To demonstrate the car’s on-track performance, Mercedes-AMG released onboard footage from the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
In late July, test driver Kevin Berger recorded an officially notarized lap time of 7:32.070 minutes. Mercedes-AMG says that performance represents the best result in its segment.
Classification Remains Unclear
Mercedes-AMG has not specified exactly which segment the claimed record applies to.
Despite holding roughly a 200-horsepower advantage, the CLA 45’s lap remains seven seconds slower than the current compact-class benchmark from Garching. Earlier in July, the BMW M2 with Track Kit posted a lap of 7:25.068 minutes, narrowly surpassing the 530-horsepower BMW M2 CS, which recorded 7:25.534 minutes.
On the official records listing at nuerburgring.de, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 is classified under “Prototypes / Pre-production models”, where it appears in last place. Its lap time also does not lead any category among electric vehicles overall.
Possible Electric Compact Category
One possible interpretation is that Mercedes-AMG is referring to a dedicated electric compact performance category that does not yet formally exist. Under that interpretation, the CLA 45 would lead the class because there are currently no direct competitors.
Electric Performance Competition Continues to Grow
The article notes that Nürburgring lap times are expected to continue falling as more high-performance electric models arrive.
Among the vehicles mentioned is the upcoming BMW M3 (ZA0), which is expected to outperform its combustion-powered predecessors through the use of four electric motors and M eDrive technology. More than a year ago, M boss Frank van Meel said in an interview that the electric M3 would be quicker on track than its combustion-powered counterpart, the G84.
The article also notes that it remains unclear whether an electric BMW M2 will be introduced. It adds that the brand is also working on an electric BMW M4, known as the ZA2.
As Mercedes-AMG prepares to launch the electric CLA 45 later this year, the model brings a combination of 680 horsepower, a claimed 2.7-second sprint to 100 km/h, and a notarized Nürburgring lap that the company says establishes a new benchmark within its segment.
