Another new AMG?!

Its new product launch schedule really is relentless, isn't it? Still, fans of fast cars should rejoice in the vast choice offered and now there's another body style to add to the Mercedes-AMG '45' roster. It's the CLA Shooting Brake, offered in fairly bonkers standard guise as well as a full-on batshit-crazy S model. The fact there's a 421hp, four-cylinder engine under the bonnet here is only not-shocking because we've already been told about the Mercedes-AMG A 45 hatchback and CLA 45 'coupe'.

Indulge us with a reminder...

Well, AMG's new 2.0-litre unit uses turbocharging to produce 387hp and 480Nm of torque in its 'entry-level' state, endowing the Shooting Brake with a 0-62mph time of 4.1 seconds on the way to a limited 155mph. The CLA 45 S Shooting Brake, meanwhile, gets 421hp and 500Nm of torque, dropping 0.1 seconds from that sprint time and getting a speed limiter raised to 167mph. Both cars use an eight-speed, dual-clutch auto with various modes of operation (including fully manual) and a new 4Matic+ four-wheel-drive system that can vary where the engine's considerable output goes (front-to-back and side-to-side at the rear) depending on a wealth of factors, including how the driver has tweaked the many settings. There's even a Drift Mode... Naturally, the whole chassis of the Shooting Brake has been upgraded, with new suspension (though three-stage adaptive damping is on the options list), big brakes, variable ratio steering and sophisticated electronics to aid agility and safety. There are detail differences between the regular and S version to consider, as well.

In terms of design as well?

Yes, though nothing drastic. Both variants get widened front arches, a prominent radiator grille, new alloys and quad exhausts, though the S has larger outlets. Inside, the S gets yellow contrast stitching to the regular version's red, and the rest of the upholstery (a mix of Artico man-made leather and Dinamica microfibre) is black. An even more special steering wheel is standard on the S, with extra driving mode switchgear.

So which will I buy?

Actually, UK buyers will only be offered the S variant, which is fine, as that's clearly the one to go for anyway.

Shane O' Donoghue - 17 Jul 2019