CLA45 AMG Makes Forbes’ Best Performance Bargains List

Whoever says that the performance car is dying out hasn’t seen Forbes‘ list of best performance vehicles under $50,000. Everything from Chevy to BMW makes up the list of 13 cars; but one of the highest rated is the Mercedes CLA45 AMG.

In previous decades, 350-odd horsepower could only be found in the top spec V8s, or going further back, in furious sounding V12s. Now, however, the little CLA45 AMG pumps out that type of horsepower via a four-cylinder turbocharged engine. 2.0 liters of power vs the old 6.0L V8s. It’s frankly ridiculous that we’re seeing this type of horsepower come out of such a small engine.

Here’s what Forbes says about the big-power little car: “The AMG treatment raises output of this compact sedan to 355 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. of torque from its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, making this luxury car the highest horsepower per liter you can buy in its class. A near $50,000 Mercedes is few people’s idea of a bargain, but for the money drivers get a powerful all-wheel drive five-seater with a sports-tuned chassis that nails the 0-60 mph sprint in just 4.4 seconds before hitting its electronically controlled top speed of 155 mph. And with solid fuel economy to boot.”

So how many of you have CLA45 AMGs, and how has your experience been with them? Sound off in the comments below.

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