I almost feel bad for any manufacturer that has a turbocharged four-cylinder-powered small car scheduled to be released within the next few years.
Not only is the new 2014 Mercedes CLA45 AMG breaking new ground in small performance sedans, it will likely be the benchmark for the next generation. I say "almost" because with a base price of $48,350 and an expected transaction price closer to $55,000, other manufacturers might not see AMG's latest and greatest as direct competition.The previous generation of A-Class would never have worked in the U.S. It wasn't much more than an average commuter car with a Mercedes interior. This new CLA is inspired, not to mention sexy, and will likely be a hit on our side of the Atlantic. It was these sexy lines that first attracted AMG to the idea of taking on the CLA. Once it became clear that the car would deliver in the driving department, the deal was set.
To begin with, AMG decided sticking with a four-cylinder was the only option. Although the architecture between the standard Mercedes and AMG is similar, the two share few parts. AMG starts with a proprietary block, head, and most hardware. Obviously the turbo, which provides 26 pounds of boost, is larger than the standard unit and requires an AMG-specific water-to-air charge-cooler. The pistons and crank are forged, with balancing and weight optimization said to be near racing level.
The result is 355 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Although this will be the most powerful I-4 for sale in the U.S., the numbers aren't the most impressive part.Through careful and near-obsessive engineering, the team at AMG has produced a turbocharged engine that delivers 177.5 hp per liter and develops full torque from 2250 to 5000 rpm. In practical terms, not only can it deliver a mountain of torque on demand, it can deliver the exact level of torque the driver requires. High-strung turbocharged engines generally supply torque as an all-or-nothing proposition, but this engine delivers levels of throttle modulation and response more fitting of a naturally aspirated mill, and it does it all while providing a ripping, GT race car-like sound track. Full-throttle acceleration opens up a valve in the exhaust, creating an angry, growling roar that crescendos with a load brap at every shift.
