Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S gets a Final Edition send-off
The current generation of the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S is bowing out this year as the brand prepares to introduce the third generation of the CLA before the year is out, which includes a range of electrified and hybrid versions of the popular sedan.
To mark the occasion, AMG has announced a limited-run ‘Final Edition’ of the CLA 45 S 4Matic+ for the local market. Only 15 units will be made available for local purchase, with each example carrying a price tag of R1,721,234.
Visually, it’s still the same CLA 45 S we love, but to live up to its designation as a special model, the Final Edition comes painted in an exclusive Night Black shade, which is further complemented by decals with huge ‘45 S’ lettering in black or yellow on the doors and the AMG insignia in yellow on the outside mirror covers. It sits on matte black 19-inch AMG forged wheels with edition-specific wheel hub covers, while the brake callipers are gloss black with white AMG logos. The fuel-filler cap is coated in silver chrome with the ‘AMG’ lettering and design elements in black.
For an even darker stance, it’s available with the AMG Night Package and AMG Night Package II, which add dark treatment to design details.
The interior, on the other hand, features AMG Performance seats upholstered in a combination of Artico man-made leather and black microcut microfibre. Like the outside, the yellow shade takes centre stage. It is applied on the topstitching of the seats, door panels and instrument panel. There are also embroidered emblems with the ‘45 S’ label on the front headrests, as well as a ‘45 S Final Edition’ emblem on the centre console.
Unfortunately, the 2.0-litre M139 turbocharged 4-cylinder engine soldiers on unchanged. That said, it still puts out 310kW and 500Nm to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. The result is a sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds before hitting its vmax at 270km/h.
So what does all of this mean for the AMG CLA 45 S nameplate? In reality, this looks like the final bow for the ICE-powered version as we know it, especially now that electrification at AMG is a core focus. The next CLA 45 S, even if it carries that badge, is likely to move into hybrid territory, potentially with even more power. There’s also a strong chance we’ll see a fully electric AMG CLA 45-type model, built on Mercedes’ new EV platform. And if AMG decides to keep an ICE or hybrid option alive, it would almost certainly make more sense to go with a 6-cylinder hybrid rather than reusing the controversial 4-cylinder C63-derived setup.
If the new one is hybridised, electrified, or whatever comes next, the current CLA 45 S will be hard to replace. I just hope whatever comes still brings that AMG magic.
