Performance Review: Mercedes CLA 45 AMG 2.0 Turbo - [2013]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes CLA Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG 2.0 Turbo is the 7 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2013. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2014 Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Performance and the 2014 Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Mercedes CLA has a 1991cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The CLA shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the CLA's All Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1585 kgs (3494 lbs) this makes the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG 2.0 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes CLA shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 1991cc 16V St4 engine produces 355 bhp (264 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 332 lb-ft (450.1 Nm) @ 2250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes CLA you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (248.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes CLA.

The Mercedes CLA has a Power to weight ratio of 223.9 bhp per ton and 209.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2013 CLA competing with the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (248.9 bhp per ton) or the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (248.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mercedes CLA generating around 209.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2006 BMW Alpina B3 3.0 Bi Turbo (234.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1962 Buick Riviera 6.6 V8 (234.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.6 secs, this made the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG 2.0 Turbo as fast as the 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 (4.50 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs) the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge 6.6 V12 Twin turbo (4.50 secs) the or the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Cabrio 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs). This Mercedes CLA 45 AMG 2.0 Turbo is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (4.60 secs) the and the 2020 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (4.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the CLA and the 2007 Maserati GranTurismo 4.2 V8

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes CLA on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.19 secs @ 103.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 Maserati GranTurismo 4.2 V8 (13.14 secs), the 1969 Lamborghini Espada S II (13.15 secs), and the 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 7.4 V8 Sports Coupe 365 (13.15 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2013 version of the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG 2.0 Turbo has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2013 CLA equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2013 Mercedes CLA 45 AMG 2.0 Turbo then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2013 CLA Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison