Looking very much like you'd expect, the CLA45 AMG offers a more aggressive, aero-treated take on the standard CLA Class exterior, and a more Alcantara-and-carbon-fibered take on the interior. From every angle, inside and out, the photos show it's a well-executed look.

Better yet is the potency packed into this pint-sized four-door coupe. Under the hood is a turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which develops an astonishing 355 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque.

As Mercedes likes to boast, that’s as much performance as some V-8 engines, including the automaker’s own from just a few ago, and it also makes the car the most powerful four-cylinder model currently in production--a title it shares with its A45 AMG hatchback equivalent sold overseas.

Mercedes is estimating a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds for the CLA45 AMG and says the car should have no problem reaching its governed top speed of 155 mph.

So how much will this all cost you? Pricing for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG starts at a very reasonable $48,375, including destination.

I love the seat

That TURBO ///AMG badge looks nice!

I like it.. but I think the price point is too high... 3 or 4 years ago fine, but with the next generation cars coming out from other manufacturers, with power and performance that will exceed this at a significantly lower price point.

The new CTS for example, not even the -V, just the straight up CTS Sport with the new twin turbo V6 pushing 430 (or was that 420) hp... that will probably be in the 40k range... I realize there is a size difference between the cars, but the point remains. The new SRT8 chargers will have close to 500hp..

Yes, we can all sometimes agree that power is one thing, refinement is another, but honestly, outside the seats on teh CLA, the center console is nothing to write home about, the GPS/Command system looks like an after thought and just getting to get broken...

Mercedes really needs to step up its game, not just on the performance and quality (my 2009 C63 may have just tainted my perception of quality for the lower end MB model range), but in aggressive pricing, or it is going to lose marketshare.

How is the price point too high? This is the lowest price point ever for an AMG?
Even the first AMG offered by MB was the C36 and it started at $58K and made less than 300hp.

This car is going to sell like 99 cent hot cakes and i imagine the dealers will mark up this to just shy of pricing a entry level C63. Im guess this will be a high 12 sec car that will offer performance similar to a C32 and C55. I dont think we will see a lot more horsepower from this car as it has a Borg Warner turbo pushing 26psi.

If I was 10 years younger i would be all over this car.

I want those seats

Me2, I wonder if they fit the C coupe?

this is the car to get me back in an amg. i hope it's available for euro delivery.

How much smaller is this than the C63 sedan?

355hp from a 2l 4 banger, holy crap. A 4 banger that will hang with my stock C63. I want my 99' Prelude back.

I'm curious to see the backseat to find out if it's going 4-seater like all other MBs.

Damnit I feel like I jumped the gun getting into my S4...I wanted AWD and a dual clutch tranny just wasn't sure about going from the M156 into a turbo 4 banger...can't wait to hear/see in person!

I like it but everyone should remember that size-wise this is still just na A-class.

BTW just the CF accessories (side skirts, lip, interior, diffuser, mirrors) bring the price up by $10k...

It's really starting to grow on me, I can't wait to see it in person.. Loving the seats too!

Just not feeling this car aesthetically. It looks decent from some angles, but it is just too tall, bulbous and not aggressive enough. I think it has the same problem the BMW 1 series does. Too tall for it's length.

I'm all for the mechanical specs though, and the interior looks quite sporty. A base price that is only $11k or so lower than a C63 is a bit too high, imho. Considering you can get decent discounts on a new C63, it may make it a tough choice for anyone looking to get into an AMG. I would find it very difficult to justify paying $60k+ for a well optioned A45, assuming they have a similar breadth of options available for it like they do for our C63s. They Germans always get you on the options!

Really want to see it in person but as of right now I definitely want one

This will be the Euro Evo/STI. Do like!

Exactly! Looks like a perfect classy upgrade for me from my Evo 8.

Do they have a weight specification listed yet?

Actually in non AMG form the CLA is about 5cm longer than the C. I didn't believe it till I saw one in real life. It looks cool! So in other words, the CLA is not as small as many may believe.

You should buy it and do it up as a project car

That's the plan if I'm in the right position to buy one when they are released. Otherwise you have to help me convince Rob haha, he may be wanting the new C-Class AMG when it comes out

Can't go wrong with either as a development platform, they'll both be TT.

Yeah I wouldn't really care which one we may end up building. The CLA would be cool since we've done the C Class before but since it's a new motor and chassis that will have a ton of potential it will be fun to watch either way!

Anyone know what it weighs? I'm torn between the CLA45 and S3. I want both!

I want to know the weight also, the new S3 Sedan doesn't look too bad.