SPIED: Mercedes-AMG's 550-HP CLA Shooting Brake Will Torment Its Tires
We'll get into the design momentarily, but first, take a look at the tires - our spies say the rubber on this AMG CLA prototype only had "a few" fast laps of the Nürburgring, yet the tread is heavily worn. The sidewalls also appear to have taken some abuse. This indicates either too much weight, an unrefined stability control system delivering too much power in low-traction scenarios, or both.
The BMW M2 CS, currently the fastest compact car on the Nürburgring, delivers 523 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged straight-six. Being a heavier electric car than any M2 or RS 3, the AMG CLA EQ will reportedly get as much as 550 hp, shared across front and rear axles. These specifications are yet to be confirmed, but they sound right for a high-performance EV.
Like the sedan our spies shot last month, the AMG wagon is getting an adaptive rear spoiler, here situated at the top of the tailgate. This is expected to be manually operable, potentially allowing owners to show off by deploying the spoiler even when parked. Mismatched wheels front and rear are not unsuaul for a prototype, but it's worth noting that the front design looks specific to electric AMGs with its flat-faced rim borders.
The last update we got from our spies said that the electric motor on the front axle would be idle in most scenarios to maximize range, likely disconnecting at highway speeds and in certain modes. Total range is expected to be over 430 miles, but those who buy a car with an AMG badge may have other priorities, and we suspect that there will be a mode to enable drifting. After all, previous CLA and A-Class cars from the AMG division have had the ability.
Hopefully, we'll get confirmation on these details and more soon; production bodywork suggests the CLA AMG EQ will be revealed by the end of the year. Whether the shooting brake will be available in the U.S. remains to be seen, but the non-AMG CLA Shooting Brake has already been revealed, following the launch of the sedan in March.
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