2014 CLA45
#76
MBWorld Fanatic!
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#77
I agree. I think MB in general is really floundering about on the styling front. I guess I'll reserve final judgement until I can see one in person. But to me the styling of the CLA seems contrived. But, I feel that way about other MB cars too. More and more I find myself attracted to the styling of the some of the competitors.
#78
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 2,021
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
2011 GL550, 2004 Audi S4 v8
I just read an article about the new Audi S3 that will be coming soon. It should rival this CLA45. The article didn't give me much info or pics, so I'm really interested...
#79
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
-Eric
#80
MBWorld Fanatic!
I honestly don't consider Audi a competitor of BMW and Mercedes, more a competitor of Lexus and Acura to be honest... just look at their price points.
Last edited by AMGAffalterbach; 04-28-2013 at 07:01 PM.
#81
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 480
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2019 Audi TT RS, 2020 BMW X3M Competition
I read somewhere that the S3 will weigh less than 3000lbs which will help with the HP deficit. I think 380-400HP will be likely for the RS3. It's going to be a beast!
#82
Personally, and its just my opinion, but I don't see Acura's or Lexus' models as even remotely interesting (or competitive). Mercedes have always had a slightly higher price point than all of them because, well, they're Mercedes.
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
All that said, I'm sure Audi would like to start selling in the same numbers as both BMW and Mercedes. Their volumes are far closer to Lexus from what I recall.
Just my opinion though.
-Eric
#83
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 2,021
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
2011 GL550, 2004 Audi S4 v8
And and RS3...Good luck with that Mercedes and BMW....I love my Benz, but I'm looking for a real AWD car
![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
#85
-Eric
#86
MBWorld Fanatic!
Audis look nice but I have never felt they have the performance, reliability, or luxury to back it up as BMW and Mercedes almost always do. Their interiors always feel dated.
#87
-Eric
#88
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
11 E350 4M - 05 STI
http://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/DigitalA..._CLA45_AMG.pdf
I dont know if this has been posted.
just incase if it has not been
I dont know if this has been posted.
just incase if it has not been
#90
Super Member
http://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/DigitalA..._CLA45_AMG.pdf
I dont know if this has been posted.
just incase if it has not been
I dont know if this has been posted.
just incase if it has not been
Thank you that is certainly new to me. Just read through the whole thing. a MUST READ for everyone I would say. I particularly love the Q/A at the end.
Panoramic roof too... can't wait to see these on the road.
#91
MBWorld Fanatic!
In CLA45 AMG related news I was talking to a guy on Saturday at our morning meet and he told me that at the AMG Driving Academy he tested the CLA45 and it was a very capable car that didn't lose anything with a FWD platform. It's well engineered and light enough that understeer and torque steer aren't much noticeable around a track. So hopefully that holds true for the entire experience.
#92
Super Member
It's on FWD when crushing on the hwy... Anytime it even remotely opens up the taps it instantly send power to rear wheels in under 10ms ... You cannot feel that. So for all intensive purpose it's 4wd. I am glad it's FWD w/ 0.22 CDA drag coefficient bc that means 34mpg.
Also on the topic of quarter mile times. STI is a HORRIBLE comparison. It has a terrible drag coefficient, and had the shortest rally gearing I have ever seen (not only do you have to shift more times in the 1/4 mile, but it's a slow manual transmission). Nobody has ever seen how the car performs at high speeds with the worlds lowest drag coefficient in production car history. Normally 4.5 60mph =12.8-12.9. With the 0.22 CDA that should be easily possible especially with double clutch DCT and launch control. May be mid 12s.
C63 is also not a good comparison, it has terrible traction off launch and it's has a much slower shifting auto 7spd. The 6.3 does have a great top end (especially with chip)... But getting 13mpg requires a miracle of God, on the CLA45 34mpg will be a breeze on the hwy. to me it's so worth it bc 13mpg is getting old quickly, plus these older 7spd autos (although great for an auto) are really showing their age. Even the Benz 2nd gen MCT will feel like a dinosaur compared to this 3rg gen 7spd DCT.
Also ... AMG has intentionally detuned the torque curve on the 2.0L which is why it's flat from 2.250-5000rpm. If torque limiter is removed it will make 360hp & 360Tq @ 4000rpm. That will shave off another 0.1-0.2 to 60mpg as well. That's all without TOUCHING boost whatsoever. A mild tune on stock boost should net another 20-30h on the top end easily. So realistically you are looking at 380hp/360tq on a mild tune on stock boost (I would never add more boost on this engine). also the double clutch tranny probably cannot handle more than 400-420 ft lbs of torque anyways so that will be by far the biggest limiting factor of mods.
Those power numbers should be more than enough for such a great car (confirmed fully optioned weight at 3,450 lbs) and should not affect gas mileage since boost will remain the same. I would be more than happy with 380hp/360tq and would not need anything else. Only thing I would do on top of that is lightweight 2-piece brake rotors to reduce drivetrain losses even more and boost mpg by another 2mpg roughly. (look at my brake rotors mass reduction thread for the full scientific test report I did, it really works)
My educated 2 cents
Also on the topic of quarter mile times. STI is a HORRIBLE comparison. It has a terrible drag coefficient, and had the shortest rally gearing I have ever seen (not only do you have to shift more times in the 1/4 mile, but it's a slow manual transmission). Nobody has ever seen how the car performs at high speeds with the worlds lowest drag coefficient in production car history. Normally 4.5 60mph =12.8-12.9. With the 0.22 CDA that should be easily possible especially with double clutch DCT and launch control. May be mid 12s.
C63 is also not a good comparison, it has terrible traction off launch and it's has a much slower shifting auto 7spd. The 6.3 does have a great top end (especially with chip)... But getting 13mpg requires a miracle of God, on the CLA45 34mpg will be a breeze on the hwy. to me it's so worth it bc 13mpg is getting old quickly, plus these older 7spd autos (although great for an auto) are really showing their age. Even the Benz 2nd gen MCT will feel like a dinosaur compared to this 3rg gen 7spd DCT.
Also ... AMG has intentionally detuned the torque curve on the 2.0L which is why it's flat from 2.250-5000rpm. If torque limiter is removed it will make 360hp & 360Tq @ 4000rpm. That will shave off another 0.1-0.2 to 60mpg as well. That's all without TOUCHING boost whatsoever. A mild tune on stock boost should net another 20-30h on the top end easily. So realistically you are looking at 380hp/360tq on a mild tune on stock boost (I would never add more boost on this engine). also the double clutch tranny probably cannot handle more than 400-420 ft lbs of torque anyways so that will be by far the biggest limiting factor of mods.
Those power numbers should be more than enough for such a great car (confirmed fully optioned weight at 3,450 lbs) and should not affect gas mileage since boost will remain the same. I would be more than happy with 380hp/360tq and would not need anything else. Only thing I would do on top of that is lightweight 2-piece brake rotors to reduce drivetrain losses even more and boost mpg by another 2mpg roughly. (look at my brake rotors mass reduction thread for the full scientific test report I did, it really works)
My educated 2 cents
Last edited by ML63 AMG; 06-05-2013 at 07:21 PM.
#93
Super Member
Also for the record, Subaru STI has a coefficient of drag of 0.33 CDA, which is WORLDS apart. Every 0.05 improvement in CDA = roughly 1mpg. And if you do the math it works out perfectly
#94
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Assuming the transmission can handle a good amount of power, I'm excited to see what a turbo upgrade will do. This turbo can't be very efficient over 30LBS. Any word on what the engine internals are made of?
EDIT: Looks like forged steel internals
EDIT: Looks like forged steel internals
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#95
Super Member
The entire engine is forged from top to bottom. Maybe 28lbs would be possible but not worth the risk. I think the real gains on the car will be from freer flowing intake & exhaust components (probably good for 20hp), then another 20hp in peak HP from mild tune. I would not touch boost, keep it at 26lbs. You don't need more boost, you need more AIRFLOW. Larger turbo running equal or lower boost may be the only way to get substantially more power. The absolute most I would push on the DCT is 400hp/400tq. You should not put any more power through that transmission.
The real weak link I feel is actually the PTU (aka the mini transfer case built into the transmission sending power to the rear). It runs on the actual internal transmission fluid and not traditional gear oil. Therefore the amount of head and power it can take is significantly less. The benefit of it is it's 25% lighter than any other 4wd system on the market. The downside is its power limited.
Again, 400hp/400tq is the upper limit of a RELIABLE daily setup. Can the motor make more ... Possibly, but prepare to break and/or blow things up
#96
MBWorld Fanatic!
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#98
http://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/DigitalA..._CLA45_AMG.pdf
I dont know if this has been posted.
just incase if it has not been
I dont know if this has been posted.
just incase if it has not been
#99
Here's another look at what we're looking at (sort of): https://mbworld.org/articles/drag-ra...ersus-a45-amg/
Whatcha u up to?
#100
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
The 0-60 will most likely stick at 4.5. Decent torque and AWD with a fast tranny will get it there.
The 1/4 mile predictions however I disagree and are pretty far off in my opinion. I think you would be lucky to post a high 12.
Take the 2012 STI as an example.
305HP
3300LB's
0-60 in 4.7
1/4 mile 13.2-13.5 @ 98-101
The CLA45 will not weight less than 3300lb's. It has 55 more HP but how much more weight? It will shift better so you gain some there. Low to mid 12 you guys are dreaming unless it weights 2800lb's.
My prediction is 0-60 in 4.5 on a good day. 1/4 12.95@105.
The 1/4 mile predictions however I disagree and are pretty far off in my opinion. I think you would be lucky to post a high 12.
Take the 2012 STI as an example.
305HP
3300LB's
0-60 in 4.7
1/4 mile 13.2-13.5 @ 98-101
The CLA45 will not weight less than 3300lb's. It has 55 more HP but how much more weight? It will shift better so you gain some there. Low to mid 12 you guys are dreaming unless it weights 2800lb's.
My prediction is 0-60 in 4.5 on a good day. 1/4 12.95@105.
0-60 4.2
1/4 12.7@108
Better than I thought. Still not a lot of performance for 60K.