In addition to the S-Class Coupe Concept that debuted yesterday, Mercedes has also unveiled their concept CLA 45 AMG Racing Series car at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Mercedes CLA 45 AMG Racing Series IAA

Designed to act as the company’s entry-level customer racing car, the CLA 45 AMG Racing Series has been fitted a new front bumper, carbon fiber splitter and massive air intakes. There’s also extended wheel arches, new side skirts, an aggressive rear bumper fitted a carbon fiber diffuser and treadless racing tires.

On the inside, the CLA 45 AMG Racing Series features a functional race car atmosphere. The roll-over cage has been made of high-strength steel, there’s a carbon-fibre P 1300 GT racing bucket seat from Recaro, prepared for the HANS system (Head and NeckSupport), and of course there’s an  integrated fire extinguishing system. The racing features don’t stop there, there’s an AMG instrument cluster, racing steering wheel with shift paddles and additional controls in the center console.

Mercedes CLA 45 AMG Racing Series

Powering the entry level customer race car is the world’s most powerful four-cylinder engine in series production, the turbocharged AMG 2.0-litre unit generates265 kW (360 hp) and maximum torque of 450 newton metres. As on the standard model, power on the racing version is transferred by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission.

For more information, expand the press release below.

Yesterday, video game aficionados the world over reveled in the news that Sony is going to be releasing their new Playstation 4.  And while you may think this has nothing to do with Mercedes, you’d be wrong, as Sony announced they’re also launching Driveclub – a brand new racing franchise developed exclusively for the PS4 that features several sports cars from Mercedes-Benz, including the new CLA45 AMG and the new A45 AMG.  Both these high-performance vehicles will be celebrating their real-world premiere in March 2013, while Driveclub and the new Playstation 4 console will be launching this holiday season.

While you’re waiting, here’s some more info on the new Sony Playstation 4 and the CLA45 AMG and A45 AMG models:

Playstation 4 is SCEI’s next generation computer entertainment system that redefines rich and immersive gameplay with powerful graphics and speed, intelligent personalisation, deeply integrated social capabilities, and innovative second-screen features. Driveclub is the perfect fit for the lifestyle of the next generation of PlayStation gamers: an exhilarating, visceral and highly socially connected racing experience that showcases the immense capabilities of Playstation 4. Driveclub is a networked game to be played in real clubs, encouraging players to team up and to collaborate and compete with one another while experiencing the thrill of driving the best cars in the world, on the best roads in the world. The audiovisual quality of the cars and the tracks is staggering, and the view from the cockpit is absolutely true to life, immersing the player in every race and recreating the power and the drama that they would feel if they were actually sitting in the driver’s seat.

As well as the CLA 45 AMG and the A 45 AMG, further vehicles with the three-pointed star will join Driveclub.

Firing up the world’s most powerful four-cylinder production engine

In March the A 45 AMG will be presented at the Geneva auto show. With this new family member Mercedes-AMG will for the first time be offering a high-performance vehicle in the compact class segment. The AMG-Version of the new four-door Coupé, the CLA, is celebrating its world premiere in New York. With a peak output of 265 kW (360 hp) and a maximum torque of 450 newton metres, their turbocharged AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine is the world’s most powerful four-cylinder power unit in series production. The power density of 133 kW (181 hp) surpasses even that of the most powerful super sports cars. At the same time they excel with outstanding efficiency, while also meeting the EU6 emissions standard. The A 45 AMG and the CLA 45 AMG are equipped as standard with the fully variable, performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system.

With the new Mercedes-Benz CLA, designers have embodied, in a production car, the unconventional design of the Concept Style Coupé that premiered at Auto China fair in April. The compact mid-range CLA adopts the concept vehicle’s non-conformist, provocative and masculine lines. On numerous points of detail the designers drew inspiration from the SLS and CLS modern Mercedes classics – examples being the sporty front end, the powerdomes on the bonnet or the three-dimensional side design featuring an additional brawny muscle extending over the dropping line from the rear door to the boot lid.

In keeping with its sporty positioning, the CLA is available with high-torque turbo engines rated at up to 155 kW (211 hp), sports suspension and the newly developed 4MATIC. The technical highlights of the new design icon include numerous driving assistance systems, such as advanced COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS. In addition to outputting visual and acoustic warnings when an impending danger of a rear-end collision is identified, the latter system is also able to carry out autonomous partial braking if the driver fails to respond to warnings and a danger of collision persists.

Five equipment and appointment packages which vary greatly in character are available to individualise the striking compact mid-range coupé (length/width/height: 4630/1777/1437 millimetres). In keeping with the digital lifestyle of the CLA’s social media-savvy target group, smartphones can additionally be fully integrated into the vehicle’s display and operating system.

CLA 45 AMG: the most dynamic way to experience the new 4MATIC

As the high-powered top model of the new compact class, the CLA 45 AMG broadens the portfolio of Mercedes-Benz’s high-performance brand to offer a fascinating high-performance vehicle in the compact class, too. The newly developed AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine will set new standards in its engine capacity segment: with maximum torque of well over 400 Newton metres and low fuel consumption, AMG is aiming to lead the competition. In conjunction with the specially adapted 4MATIC version for this engine-power class, the CLA 45 AMG will be one of the most dynamic, powerful and efficient four-cylinder series-production compact cars.

Perfect power transmission is ensured in the CLA 45 AMG thanks to the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission with dual clutch technology and performance-oriented all-wheel drive. The ideal basis for high cornering speeds and exciting, agile handling also comes courtesy of the AMG sports suspension with independently developed front and rear axles, electromechanical AMG speed-sensitive sports steering, AMG high-performance braking system and 3-stage ESP® with “SPORT Handling” mode. The 3-stage stability programme is also applied to adapt the control strategies of the variable 4MATIC system:

In “ESP ON” mode a safety-oriented driving programme supports the driver with clear-cut self-steering behaviour, i.e. essentially neutral handling characteristics.

Briefly pressing the ESP® button activates “ESP SPORT Handling Mode”. This dynamically oriented driving mode applies appropriate control strategies for later ESP® intervention and increased drive torque at the rear axle.

Pressing the ESP® button longer activates “ESP OFF”. “ESP OFF” should only be used by experienced drivers on cordoned-off race tracks.

After pressing the brake pedal in “ESP SPORT Handling Mode” or “ESP OFF” mode, all ESP® functions are available once again.

Beginning next year, Mercedes-Benz will offer a new variant of the 4MATIC permanent all-wheel-drive system with fully variable torque distribution. This new development is based on the front-wheel-drive architecture with transversely mounted engines. Like the other 4MATIC versions, it boasts high tractive power reserves and outstanding agility accompanied by optimum driving safety and energy efficiency. The new 4MATIC will complement the four all-wheel-drive versions which have been available to date. This will ensure 4×4 technology tailored to the respective vehicle categories – from the CLA and the models of the C-, E-, S-, CLS- and CL-Class to the comprehensive range of SUVs and ATVs covering the GLK-, M-, GL-Class and G-Class. The new 4MATIC will also boost driving enjoyment in the particularly dynamic CLA 45 AMG which, like the series production model, is to be premiered in 2013.

The most innovative components of the new 4MATIC include the power take-off to the rear axle which is integrated in the 7G-DCT automated dual clutch transmission and the rear-axle gear with integrated, electrohydraulically controlled multi-disk clutch. This set-up enables fully variable distribution of the drive torque between front and rear axle. Additional benefits of this design are a lower system weight than is available from the competition and high efficiency. Similarly to the front-wheel-drive versions, all 4MATIC models also boast good energy efficiency.

The 4MATIC all-wheel drive is a completely new development tailored to the requirements of the new models with front-wheel drive.

Integrated power take-off unit (PTU) channels power to the rear axle

The new 4MATIC comes together with the 7G-DCT seven-speed automated dual clutch transmission. The power flux to the rear powertrain is provided by a compact power take-off unit (PTU) which is fully integrated in the main transmission and is supplied with lubricant from the latter’s oil circuit. This configuration gives rise to substantial weight advantages of up to 25 percent in comparison to rival systems which branch off power by means of an add-on component with its own oil circuit. Together with the friction-minimised tapered roller bearings, the PTU achieves an excellent level of efficiency.

Completely new development with torque-on-demand rear axle

The electrohydraulically actuated multi-disk clutch integrated in the rear-axle gear unit provides for fully variable torque distribution. Basic principle: when the multi-disk clutch is open, the vehicle is driven almost exclusively by the front axle. When the clutch is closed, the rear axle comes into play. The drive torque can be shifted in fully variable mode between front and rear axle according to the given situation (torque on demand).

The system pressure to activate the rear axle is supplied in milliseconds by the rotor pump which is integrated in the rear-axle gear unit. The pump is activated automatically as soon as only minimal speed differences apply between front and rear axle. Pressure control is performed by an ESP®-controlled proportioning valve.

Intelligent control systems for enjoyable driving

The 4MATIC is activated according to the basic principle of “as often as necessary, as rarely as possible”. This means that when the underlying conditions allow, the all-wheel-drive models run almost exclusively in particularly economical front-wheel-drive mode. As soon as the driving situation requires, drive torque is channelled to the rear axle as appropriate. The reverse process takes place just as quickly: as soon as additional drive torque is no longer necessary at the rear axle – e.g. in case of heavy braking manoeuvres with ABS intervention – the rear powertrain is deactivated and torque is reduced to zero.

In case of impending understeering or oversteering under load, the drive torque is first of all distributed such as to stabilise the vehicle. Only if these measures fail to have a stabilising effect do the control systems adapted to 4MATIC conditions, such as ESP® or 4ETS, intervene to keep the vehicle stable.

With this strategy, the developers have managed to combine two key requirements defined in the performance specifications: optimum energy efficiency coupled with maximum driving dynamics and driving safety.

Individual: driving modes to suit personal driving styles

The torque distribution ratio is also dependent on the activated shift programme of the 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission. In ECO mode less torque is channelled to the rear axle, resulting in gentler handling and supporting an economical driving style at lower revs. In SPORT or MANUAL mode the activation times are shortened and more torque is distributed to the rear axle in the interests of a dynamic, sporty driving style. On the AMG versions, adaptation of the 4MATIC controller takes place in accordance with the 3-stage ESP®.

New 4MATIC featuring in the Mercedes-Benz CLA

The CLA-Class models which are set to appear next year and the particularly agile and powerful CLA 45 AMG will also benefit from the further advances in all-wheel-drive technology from Mercedes-Benz. The new Mercedes-Benz CLA adopts the avant-garde design of the Concept Style Coupé into series production almost 1:1. In keeping with its sporty positioning, the CLA is available with high-torque turbo engines rated at up to 155 kW (211 hp), sports suspension and the newly developed 4MATIC. The technical highlights include numerous driving assistance systems, such as advanced COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST.

CLA 45 AMG: the most dynamic way to experience the new 4MATIC

As the high-powered top model of the new compact class, the CLA 45 AMG broadens the portfolio of Mercedes-Benz’s high-performance brand to offer a fascinating high-performance vehicle in this class, too. The newly developed AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine will set new standards in its engine capacity segment: with maximum torque of well over 400 Newton metres and low fuel consumption, AMG is aiming to lead the competition. In conjunction with the specially adapted 4MATIC version for this engine-power class, the CLA 45 AMG will be one of the most dynamic, powerful and efficient four-cylinder coupés around.

Impressive variety

In addition to the E-Class and the C-Class, both of which are available as Saloon and Estate variants, the 4MATIC model range also extends to the CL luxury coupé, the four-door CLS Coupé and the CLS Shooting Brake. The recently thoroughly overhauled SUVs and ATVs are also included in the range – the M‑Class, the compact GLK, the GL luxury SUV and the legendary G-Class, which still retains its special off-road strengths after 33 years in production. The all-wheel-drive line-up from Mercedes-Benz further includes an exotic model in the guise of the SLS AMG Electric Drive. Four electric motors on this vehicle guarantee tremendous thrust, with fully variable and selective drive torque distribution to the individual wheels. And when the compact models featuring the new 4MATIC generation round off the range next year, it will really be a case of all-wheel drive all-round!

Our good friends in Germany had a chance to get behind the wheel of the CLA45 AMG ahead of its Detroit debut early next year.

As we’ve previously reported, the four-door coupe has been heavily influenced by the Concept Style Coupe and has a similar sleek styling. The AMG variant distinguishes itself from the base model with its own unique bumpers, an updated exhaust system and traditional five-spoke alloy wheels.

The engines will carryover from the A-Class, however the CLA 45 AMG will feature a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 354 HP (260 kW) and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque that will be connected to a 7G-DCT transmission and a 4MATIC all-wheel drive system with a “Torque on Demand” rear axle. The CLA 250 will feature a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 211 HP (155 kW) and will be available with all-wheel drive.

Souce: MB Passion

Thanks to the latest spy photos and video, courtesy or our good friend Markus, Mercedes-Benz has given us a detailed look at the CLA 45 AMG.

At the 2013 NAIAS in January, the Mercedes-Benz CLA will celebrate its world premiere followed later in the year with the debut of the CLA45 AMG in Frankfurt.

As previously reported, the CLA 45 AMG will likely receive a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that generates 354 hp and has a maximum torque of 450 Nm. It will be partnered with a seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox that will send the power to all four wheels.

Make sure to view the gallery below and check out the video for the most current look at the all new Mercedes CLA.

Special thanks to Markus for the tip.

The upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG was recently spied near Augsburg, Germany by Michael, a friend of World Car Fans.

Based on the photos that show the large front grille, it seems that it will look a lot like the grille on the Concept A-Class. What makes the grille so interesting is that it has several “dots”. You’ll also notice in the photos that the front fascia is quite aggressive, the new CLA 45 has aerodynamic side skirts, dual exhaust, trunk-mounted spoiler, high-performance brakes and the typical double five-spoke AMG alloys.

As previously reported by WCF, the CLA 45 AMG will likely receive a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that generates 335 HP (246 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque. It will be partnered with a seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox that will send the power to all four wheels. A 0-62 mph sprint should take around five seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

The Mercedes CLA 45 AMG has been confirmed and will make its debut next September at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.