680 HP and 3 Electric Motors: How the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Became the Fastest Sedan in Its Class

The new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ has turned heads after clocking 7 minutes and 32.070 seconds on Germany's Nürburgring Nordschleife. That's a new record among four-door cars in its class, reshaping the compact performance sedan segment.

Full Electric, No More Turbo Four

The biggest change sits under the skin. Mercedes has dropped the turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder and replaced it with a three-motor electric setup using axial flux technology. One motor drives the front axle, while two sit on the rear, making the car all-wheel drive with precise torque vectoring between the rear wheels.

Peak power hits 500 kW, or 680 hp, while continuous output stands at 450 kW (612 hp). The system can decouple the front motor when it's not needed to save energy, then re-engage it instantly when the driver demands more performance or extra traction. The new CLA has severed ties with the four-cylinder engine that defined its predecessor.

Supercar-Level Performance Numbers

The figures put the CLA 45 in territory that was once reserved for exotic hypercars. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds in the highest performance mode, with a top speed of 250 km/h in standard trim. Adding the AMG Dynamic Plus package raises the limiter to 270 km/h and unlocks a Race Start function for maximum launch performance.

All that power needs a substantial battery, so Mercedes has fitted a pack with 94 kWh of usable capacity. The CLA 45 delivers around 670 km of WLTP range in sedan form, impressive for such an performance-focused machine. The system runs on an 800-volt architecture, enabling rapid charging that suits everyday use.

What This Record Really Means

7 minutes and 32 seconds is more than just a number on a timing sheet. It's a statement from AMG that electric sedans can outpace any traditional rival in this class, and that electrification doesn't mean sacrificing excitement. The question now: how will competitors respond? The coming months will tell.