Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

If you see an AMG-powered 4-door saloon, your reactions would always be sweating for excitement because of its adrenaline-fueled performance that tickles your fancy. However, most AMG saloons can be somewhat expensive. The current C63 AMG saloon costs about 72,233 Euros and if you have 60 grand, then you can't have it because you don't have that kind of dough.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

So, that car in question is an AMG version of Mercedes-Benz's smallest saloon car that everyone can buy, the CLA-Class. At first glance, you might think that the CLA-Class is essentially a 4-door version of the current A-Class and that's true. It is. For the new CLA45 AMG, think of it as an A45 AMG with a trunk on the back. You still get a load of stuff as seen on the A45 AMG in a 4-door coupe look that you can't resist the temptation of the devil.

Speaking of the devil, the CLA45 AMG costs 56,079 Euros, that's over 16 grand less than the C63 AMG sedan but six and a half grand more than its 5-door equivalent, the A45 AMG. So, it's a modest price to pay for the CLA45 AMG but is it still worthy of being a junior AMG-powered sport saloon?

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

Well, for starters, yes. Barely... The CLA45 AMG is still as quirky as little girl's outfit which you didn't notice that it was reversible and turned into a goat costume, suitable enough to fool a chupacabra. What's exactly is a chupacabra anyway? I don't even read mythologies about this creature from New Mexico that sucks goats, which is what the aswang do to the internal parts of the human body. Hmmm... As I point out, a chupacabra can root, sniff, has long neck, and a desert dweller but don't get me wrong. This isn't fun and games, this is science. Science abuse. And as for the CLA45, it can root through the corners, sniff fear from its rivals, hurts anyone with a long neck, and loves to dwell not just in the desert but almost anywhere thanks to its 4MATIC all wheel drive. Yep, it can act like el chupacabra but it still has faith in science.

Faith in science is like...um...like surviving the hammer blow on the front, lying down on the bed of nails, and walk through fires. If some of your friends think this car's too uncomfortable for a small car like this, think of this as a faith in science. Even though the AMG sports suspension is well tailored for the open roads and on track days, your faith in science is tested when you're driving on city roads. Yeah, driving this one on the city roads really feels like you've been lying down on a bed of nails for too long and this isn't well civilized to be an everyday driver's car.

The newly developed 2.0L turbo engine as applied on the A45 AMG, mated with SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission, produces about 360PS of power and 450Nm of torque. When you keep your foot down, it's still faith in science but it's a totally different faith in science especially when you're opted for an available Performance Exhaust. 0-60mph takes about 4.5 seconds and top speed is normally limited to 155mph. Not bad though, not bad for a small sedan with the heart of a Rodong something-something.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

It's been quite a while since AMG came up with an excuse for those who can't afford a C63 AMG but want something more than the A45 AMG, which is the most affordable AMG in the range. The CLA45 was to be like that but it's only made to be as ballistic as a North Korean missiles made for armageddon. Sadly though, even though it's an all-rounder, the fun doesn't last for too long and because of its 4WD, it's too much grip and overall, it feels as mild as...watching a movie titled Magnifico. I'm not quite pleased about this chemistry and if it was made to be a junior CLS63 AMG, it's really not that bad. Well, because this isn't the kind of AMG you'd expect on the grocery parking lot, it isn't quite noticeable in the real world. For cheap thrills, why not consider a Volvo S60 for a change?

Photo: Mercedes-Benz