Tropicana Jul-Aug 2020 #131 The Beauty Issue

The first model debut of
the Mercedes-AMG CLA
45 S 4MATIC+ Coupé
couldn’t have arrived at
a stranger time. Due to
restrictions put in place
during the Conditional Movement Order,
its official launch on 1 June took place
completely online, on Mercedes-Benz’s
YouTube and Facebook channels. It was an
unusual and unique experience – a first for
the German marque.
The Next-Gen Mercedes-AMG Cars
Apart from the CLA 45 S 4MATIC+
Coupé, two other models from the compact
S series were also revealed at the launch – the
hatchback Mercedes-AMG A 35 S 4MATIC
and Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+.
The new AMG range has seen a complete
redesign from the engine and transmission
to the body’s aerodynamic design, to take the
sporty driving experience – of a compact car
– to a breathtaking whole new level.
A Petite Powerhouse
The new AMG range boasts Mercedes’
newly developed M139 2.0-litre engine,
which the maker claims to be the world’s
most powerful turbo-charged four-cylinder
manufactured for series production with an
output of up to 310 kW (421 hp). Maximum
torque has been raised from 475 to up to 500
Nm, compared to the previous 45 models,
and with an output per litre of up to 155 kW
(211 hp). There’s no doubt that this supercharged
high-performance turbo engine has
raised the bar against many other well-known
sports car engines. It sprints from zero to 100
km/h in just 4.0 seconds and with a top speed
of up to 270 km/h.
One notable unique feature of the
M139 engine is that it’s installed in a reversed
position where the exhaust manifold and
turbocharger are now located at the rear,
while the intake system is at the front of the
engine bay. This change allows for a flatter,
more aerodynamic front design for a sleeker
look, and at the same time, optimising air
flow in the engine compartment.
111 JULY/AUGUST 2020 | TM