Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG: Parts & Editions

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG often captures the imagination of car enthusiasts with its aggressive styling and powerful performance. For owners and prospective buyers alike, understanding where to source genuine parts and what unique editions, such as the intriguing OrangeArt Edition, truly entail is crucial. This article delves into these aspects, offering a comprehensive look at what makes the CLA 45 AMG tick, its market position, and its real-world driving experience.

Sourcing Genuine Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Parts

When it comes to maintaining a high-performance vehicle like the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG, the importance of using genuine parts cannot be overstated. These components are specifically designed and built by Mercedes-Benz for your sports car, ensuring perfect fitment, optimal performance, and long-term reliability. If you're looking to purchase authentic Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG parts and accessories, you can order them online directly from reputable suppliers who specialise in genuine OEM parts.

These suppliers typically stock a wide array of components for the CLA 45 AMG, catering to all your maintenance and repair needs. From critical engine components like fuel injectors to transmission parts and even entire exhaust systems, the availability of genuine OEM parts ensures that your vehicle continues to perform as intended by the manufacturer. Opting for genuine parts is a fundamental aspect of preserving the integrity and value of your CLA 45 AMG, giving you peace of mind that every component is engineered to the highest standards.

The Evolution of Performance: Where the CLA 45 AMG Fits In

The automotive industry is, at its core, a business driven by profitability, meaning that manufacturers prioritise designing and selling cars that appeal to a broad market. This often means focusing on "ordinary" family cars that sell in vast quantities, providing affordable, reliable, and safe transport. However, there's a significant segment of enthusiasts willing to pay more for luxury and performance, leading manufacturers to develop relatively low-volume, top-tier models.

Historically, motor-sport regulations have often necessitated the production of road-going versions of race cars, leading to a lineage of genuinely exciting yet practical vehicles. Iconic examples include the BMW M3, Mercedes-AMG C-Class models, and Audi's S and RS versions of the A4. Over time, these models grew in power, size, and cost, creating a market gap for spiritual successors to their earlier, more accessible versions.

This is where compact performance cars like the CLA 45 AMG emerged. With the advent of the third-generation A-Class, Mercedes-Benz had the foundation to enter this niche. Unlike some rivals, the standard A-Class was front-wheel drive, deemed unsuitable for the immense power AMG engineers envisioned. This necessitated extensive modifications, including the integration of a four-wheel-drive system alongside the AMG-developed engine. The resulting A45 AMG garnered mixed reactions for its assertive styling, and it was a natural progression for an equivalent CLA 45 AMG model to join the range when the four-door saloon version was introduced. Offering a distinct four-door saloon body, it carved out a unique space against rivals that offered five-door hatches or two-door coupes.

Unpacking the CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake OrangeArt Edition

Among the various iterations of the CLA 45 AMG, the OrangeArt Edition stands out with its distinctive aesthetic. This particular limited edition was initially announced in late 2014 and was offered on both the Saloon and the then newly revealed Shooting Brake model. While the press releases often indulge in corporate hyperbole, describing it with phrases like "stylish dynamism with eye-catching contrasts," the visual impact is undeniable.

The OrangeArt Edition is characterised by a series of extravagant design features that aim to enhance its sporty lines and create a striking overall effect. These include:

• Matt graphite grey design features positioned above the side sill panels.
• Vibrant orange splashes strategically placed on the AMG radiator grille, exterior mirrors, and rear apron trim.
• A Night package, incorporating various black design elements and chrome tailpipes.
• Multi-spoke light-alloy wheels, painted in matt black, complemented by an orange rim flange and matching orange/black hub caps with a centre-lock look.
• Colour-coordinated highlight rings around the bi-xenon headlamps, adding to their spectacular appearance.

Inside the cabin, the theme of exclusive dynamism continues. The powerfully contoured Performance seats are upholstered in a combination of leather and DINAMICA microfibre in black, featuring orange contrasting topstitching. Black seat belts are adorned with coordinated highlight stripes. The Performance steering wheel, also in DINAMICA microfibre, boasts orange contrasting topstitching and a matching 12 o’clock mark. The AMG E-SELECT lever further underscores the model’s exclusive character, as does the specially designed OrangeArt Edition trim. Subtle details, such as recurring contrasting topstitching and an exclusive Edition badge on the AMG DRIVE UNIT, convey a sense of passion for the extraordinary.

Driving the CLA 45 AMG: A Real-World Perspective

Beyond the marketing and special editions, the true measure of any performance car lies in its driving experience. Starting the CLA 45 AMG is a keyless affair, initiated by pressing a Start/Stop button on the dash. However, the initial impression can be underwhelming; the AMG engine, despite its potency, sounds like an ordinary four-cylinder unit upon ignition. Throughout testing, the engine sound was often likened to a washing machine rather than a performance car, with even a slight whine at higher speeds.

Despite the uninspiring acoustics, the car's performance is undeniable. The CLA 45 AMG is indeed very rapid, offering impressive acceleration at any speed. Lack of power is certainly not among its faults, even if traffic conditions only permit short bursts of its capability.

Gearbox and Handling

The car features a seven-speed automatic gearbox that delivers lightning-fast gear changes, almost imperceptible until you're accelerating hard. Unlike larger Mercedes and AMG models, where the gear lever is on the column, in the CLA 45 AMG, it’s a small, stubby lever located in the centre console. Parking is simplified by a button behind the lever, which also engages the electronic handbrake. Manual mode is available via a button or the wheel-mounted paddles. Selecting Sport or Sport+ modes causes the car to hold gears longer, though this might be needlessly noisy during freeway cruising.

The engine itself is reasonably quiet, and wind noise is well-controlled. However, tyre roar can be quite pronounced, depending on the road surface. The 235/35 ZR19 Dunlop Sports tyres are clearly selected for maximum road holding, and the car performs exceptionally well in this regard. The steering is well-judged, offering plenty of feel and appropriate weighting, giving confidence that the car can corner at speeds far beyond typical road limits.

The Unforgiving Ride

One of the most significant drawbacks of the CLA 45 AMG is its ride quality. Thanks to very stiff suspension, the ride is truly awful. Every jolt and vibration from the road surface is transmitted directly into the cabin. Concrete sections of motorways are particularly uncomfortable, with every joint being felt and heard. Even in Comfort mode, the ride is poor, and switching to Sport or Sport+ only exacerbates the issue. This rigid setup also amplifies any creaks or imperfections in the interior trim and bodywork, leading to unexpected noises that are out of place in a car of this price and positioning.

Braking, Visibility, and Fuel Economy

Braking performance, however, is commendable. The brakes offer nice progression through the pedal, and the large disks are clearly capable of bringing the CLA to a halt from much higher speeds. Visibility is another weakness; the door mirrors are too small, limiting the field of view, particularly from the driver’s side. The steeply sloping rear window makes judging the back of the car impossible, though a rear-view camera projecting an image onto the display screen offers significant assistance.

Fuel economy is not a strong suit if the CLA 45 AMG is driven as intended. A test car averaged 22.9 mpg (US) over 2500 miles. However, with more steady driving, a figure of 29.7 mpg US (equivalent to 35.48 mpg Imperial) was achieved, aided by a standard Stop/Start system.

Inside the Cabin: Quality and Ergonomics

At first glance, the cabin of the CLA 45 AMG appears impressive, with generous applications of leather on the dash and door casings, an Alcantara-like flat-bottomed steering wheel, judicious use of carbon fibre inlays, and sporty seats. However, a closer inspection reveals some quality issues. Uneven gaps between the dash and door casing, and slight misalignments, are noticeable – a departure from Mercedes-Benz's historical reputation for impeccable build quality. Furthermore, durability concerns arose, with the microfibre covering on the steering wheel showing significant wear after only six months and 6,500 miles, and the orange swatch at the top appearing grubby. Numerous creaks from the dash area further suggest either poor build or stress induced by the stiff suspension.

Instrumentation and Controls

The instrument binnacle in front of the driver houses two large analogue dials: a speedometer on the left and a rev counter on the right, with smaller gauges for fuel level and water temperature inset at their bases. A digital display area between the dials allows for various information readouts, though navigating the complex system of menus and sub-menus via the six buttons on the left steering wheel spoke can be cumbersome. Finding a digital speed repeater, for instance, means losing the odometer display. In typical Mercedes fashion, a combined column stalk on the left controls indicators and wipers, with a separate lower stalk for cruise control. Lights are operated via a dial on the dash to the left of the steering wheel.

Infotainment and Seating

The centre of the dash is dominated by a display screen that resembles a stuck-on iPad, giving the impression of an afterthought despite being integrated from the design stage. Below this are three circular air vents with an aggressive blade design. Further down, there's a bank of buttons for audio and navigation, followed by a row of switches for functions like disabling the Stop/Start system, heated seats, and hazard warning lights. Below these are the climate control buttons.

In the centre console, a rotary knob behind the gear lever allows selection between Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual driving modes. Another dial further back controls the COMAND system, offering an alternative to individual buttons or the touchscreen. While the navigation map display was not ideal, showing too much sky and limiting the actual map area, the system largely felt intuitive for basic operations.

The sports seats look inviting, with their mix of Alcantara-like outers and colourful inner sections. Electric adjustment switches are conveniently located on the door, offering fore/aft, backrest angle, and height adjustments, along with three memory settings. Steering column adjustment is manual. While initially comfortable, prolonged sitting in traffic revealed issues with thigh support, raising questions about long-journey comfort given the car's ride quality.

Practicality and Interior Space

Mercedes-Benz describes the CLA as a "4-door Coupe," a label that perhaps more accurately reflects its practicality than calling it a sedan. Access to the rear seats is very limited. Despite the sloping roofline, entering the rear without hitting one's head is surprisingly difficult, even for someone of average height. The combination of the drooping rear end and the curvature of the doors necessitates an approach similar to getting into a low-slung sports car.

Once inside, the problems persist. Legroom is very restricted; while sufficient with the front seats well forward, it becomes tight if they are even partially reclined, and non-existent if they are fully back. Headroom is the primary issue, with heads jammed against the headlining at an awkward angle. Slouching in the seat, a common solution, isn't viable due to the lack of legroom. Unsurprisingly, despite a minimal transmission tunnel, there simply isn't space for three adults across the width of the car. A drop-down central armrest includes a pair of pop-out cup holders. Ultimately, the rear seats are best suited only for young and small children.

Boot and Cabin Storage

The boot is of a modest size. While reasonably long from front to back, the opening is somewhat restricted, which can make loading larger items challenging. There is some additional space under the boot floor, as a spare wheel is not provided. The rear seat backrests do not fold forward; instead, there is a small ski flap through the rear armrest for long, narrow items. Space inside the cabin for odds and ends is also quite poor. The glovebox is pokey, entirely filled by the car’s handbook. While all four doors have bins, they are small, and there's only a small cubby under the central armrest. The sports seats lack map pockets, further limiting storage options.

The CLA 45 AMG in Context: Competition and Conclusion

In certain markets, Mercedes offers various CLA models, but in the USA, choices are limited to the CLA 250 and the CLA 45 AMG. The CLA 250 was introduced with much fanfare, marketed as a Mercedes for under $30,000. However, the reality was that most customers ended up specifying cars that pushed the price tag well into the £40,000 range (or $40,000 in the US).

The competitive landscape for the CLA 45 AMG is intensifying. Audi recently launched a four-door sedan version of their RS3, with a significant portion of its sales expected from North America. While the RS3 might have slightly fewer horsepower, meaning it loses out on pure bragging rights, it is widely considered to outperform the CLA 45 AMG in almost every other respect. The RS3 boasts an interesting sounding engine, excellent performance and steering, and a perfectly civilised ride. Visibility is better, and the interior build quality is superior. Crucially, the RS3 offers easier rear access and enough room for actual adults to sit comfortably in the back.

Given these comparisons, the CLA 45 AMG, in the eyes of many, stands as a huge disappointment. It has been described as a car that is "all marketing tinsel and bragging rights but depressingly devoid of real substance or ability." For a brand once synonymous with engineering excellence and bullet-proof build quality, the CLA 45 AMG, with its uncomfortable ride, questionable interior fit and finish, and limited practicality, represents a notable deviation from past standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy genuine Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG parts?

You can buy genuine Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG parts and accessories online from authorised Mercedes-Benz parts retailers. These outlets sell only genuine OEM parts, ensuring they are designed and built specifically for your vehicle, covering everything from fuel injectors to transmission parts and exhausts.

What is the CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake OrangeArt Edition?

The CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake OrangeArt Edition is a limited-edition model announced in late 2014. It features distinctive styling elements such as matt graphite grey accents, vibrant orange splashes on the grille, mirrors, and rear apron, matt black multi-spoke wheels with orange flanges, and an interior with black leather/DINAMICA microfibre seats and steering wheel, all with orange contrasting topstitching and unique badging.

How is the ride quality of the CLA 45 AMG?

The ride quality of the CLA 45 AMG is generally considered to be quite poor due to its very stiff suspension. It tends to transmit jolts and vibrations from the road directly into the cabin, making for an uncomfortable experience, especially on rougher surfaces or concrete motorways. This issue is amplified in Sport or Sport+ driving modes.

Is the CLA 45 AMG practical for rear passengers?

No, the CLA 45 AMG is not very practical for rear passengers. Access to the rear seats is difficult due to the sloping roofline and door curvature, often requiring passengers to duck significantly. Legroom is very limited, especially if the front seats are not set far forward, and headroom is severely restricted, making it unsuitable for adult passengers. The rear seats are best suited for young and small children.

How does the CLA 45 AMG compare to rivals like the Audi RS3?

The CLA 45 AMG generally falls short when compared to rivals like the Audi RS3. While the CLA 45 AMG offers impressive acceleration, the RS3 is often preferred for its more engaging engine sound, more civilised ride quality, better interior build quality, improved visibility, and more practical rear passenger space. The RS3 is often seen as a more well-rounded and refined performance car.

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