Just this month, Mercedes-Benz made an annual revamp of its performance coupe AMG CLA 45, the new car priced at 549,300 yuan, down 9,500 yuan compared with the previous generation model, and the front mobile phone wireless charging function and inductive trunk became optional in the configuration, the cost was 2,000 yuan and 600 yuan, respectively, and the new car canceled the built-in driving recorder. On the whole, compared with the 2021 model, the 2022 model is more cost-effective. However, in the price range of Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 45, Mercedes-Benz has another compact performance car, that is, Mercedes-Benz AMG A 45 S, which is priced at 549,900 yuan, which further improves the power performance of the vehicle in the case of only 600 yuan more expensive than the AMG CLA 45. Today we will talk about, if more than half a million yuan to buy a Mercedes-Benz performance car, how should you choose between the AMG CLA 45 and the AMG 45 S?
The hardware is the same, the difference is 34 horsepower / 0.2 seconds slower, can the late brush be the same?
First of all, in terms of power performance, although mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 45 and AMG A 45 S are both power combinations using a 2.0T+8AT transmission, the engine model is also the same, but the AMG A 45 S has 34 more horsepower than the 387 horsepower AMG CLA 45. The maximum torque has also increased from 480N·m of the AMG CLA 45 to 500 N·m, an increase of 20 N·m. In terms of acceleration capability, the more aggressively tuned AMG A 45 S Zero Hundred acceleration takes only 3.9 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds faster than the 4.1 secondS AMG CLA 45. From the perspective of the overall power performance, the Mercedes-Benz AMG A 45 S will indeed be stronger than the AMG CLA 45, running into the 4-second club, which costs 600 yuan and seems to be worth it. But this also comes from the late tuning of the engine, theoretically, Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 45 can also be brushed out by a third party in the later stage of such a level of power.
In addition to the same engine hardware, the hardware used in the drivetrain and chassis of the two cars is also the same. The drivetrain also uses the 8AT gearbox specially supplied for the AMG series, which is more active in downshifting and faster in power response than the ordinary Mercedes-Benz gearbox. More aggressive power output in automatic mode and better shift response efficiency when paired with paddle shifters in manual mode.
And the chassis of this piece, the two cars also use the front MacPherson rear multi-link suspension structure, of course, compared to ordinary family cars, this set of suspension in both tuning and structure has been improved for intense driving, with good corner support. And the wheelbase length of both cars is 2729mm, which is basically the same in the performance of the steering radius. However, compared to the short front suspension + short rear suspension structure of the AMG A 45 S as a hatchback, the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 45 is a short front suspension + long rear suspension posture, thus achieving a better vehicle counterweight and alleviating the serious phenomenon of pushing heads that we have previously felt on the Mercedes-Benz A series models.
Both models are equipped with the Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC+ timely four-wheel drive system, which can achieve 100% rear-wheel drive compared to the 4MATIC four-wheel drive system equipped with ordinary models, bringing better handling performance. However, in the LSD area, the AMG CLA 45 is slightly weaker than the AMG A 45 S, which can distribute power separately on the two rear wheels. Therefore, in the driving mode of the vehicle, the two cars also have a certain difference, compared to the AMG CLA 45, AMG A 45 S has more track and drift two interesting driving modes, but they are basically only used in special venues, and the practicality in daily driving is not particularly large.
So comprehensive comparison, from the power and handling performance, AMG CLA 45 although the power performance and four-wheel drive mode are a certain gap from the AMG A 45 S, but its structure or make it more relaxed in daily driving, while the gap in power parameters can also be made up by a third party in the later stage. However, if you talk about the playability in the professional field, mercedes-Benz AMG A 45 S has a more obvious advantage, it has a more flexible power distribution, but also two more competitive and professional driving modes, to achieve driving fun, which can not be achieved by brushing power in the later stage.
Frameless door + coupe body = premium of 70,000 or 80,000?
However, in terms of appearance, the AMG CLA 45 is more pleasing than the AMG A 45 S in appearance, which is why the AMG CLA series is more expensive than the AMG A series under the same power performance. As a sedan car, the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 45 does feel more stylish in terms of appearance design, and its frameless door design is also a highlight of itself. It can be said that although the AMG A 45 S is also full of combat in appearance, people can't help but look at it a few times, but the AMG CLA 45 is better on this basis with its streamlined shape and frameless doors. At the same time, the sedan shape of the AMG CLA 45 also brings more trunk space to it, increasing the practicality of daily life.
And the vehicle configuration, the two cars have only some slight differences, but overall, Mercedes-Benz AMG A 45 S seems to be more cost-effective, it comes standard with variable suspension, and this feature is an optional item on the AMG CLA 45, the cost is 9,000 yuan, which has far exceeded the difference in the price of the two cars. At the same time, Mercedes-Benz AMG A 45 S also has more privacy glass in the rear row, and the voice control system also has more sunroof control functions, which is still more cost-effective overall.
summary:
In comparison, if you like frameless doors and the AMG CLA has a more streamlined appearance, buying a Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 45 is indeed a good choice. But if you consider the performance and configuration features, the Mercedes-Benz AMG A 45 S will certainly be worth the fare. In the case of more than 600 yuan, it is more powerful, more playable, and has a more cost-effective configuration performance. It's just that you need to endure a smaller trunk than the AMG CLA, as well as a more pronounced push head phenomenon. Of course, with the AMG A 45 S, you also need to be more skilled in driving to enjoy the extra part of its driving pleasure.