You should know by now that Mercedes->ke187 has recently started celebrating the launch of a new model on the market with the unveiling of a special "Edition 1" version of it. Next in line for this treatment is the new CLA 45 AMG, as Mercedes has just announced the CLA 45 AMG Edition 1 series that will be put on sale in September when the standard CLA 45 AMG arrives.

Just like with the A45 AMG Edition 1, the only updates to the CLA 45 AMG Edition 1 are on the exterior and the interior, but they are just enough to transform the look of the car.

The new CLA 45 AMG Edition 1 receives a very cool coloring package, with a standard black or white paint combined with red accents, AMG stripes and, of course, a new set of special wheels. The interior offers the same black and red theme and numerous "Edition 1" badges.

Click past the jump to read more about the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG Edition 1.

2014 Mercedes CLA 45 AMG Edition 1

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Mercedes CLA 45 AMG Edition 1
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 360 @ 6000
  • Torque: 331 @ 2250
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The CLA 45 AMG Edition 1 is offered in either cirrus white and night black as standard paint options. At-cost optional paints include: cosmos black metallic, mountain grey metallic, polar silver metallic and designo polar silver magno. Customers can combine these exterior colors with a Night package, red accents on the radiator grille and exterior mirrors, a matte-black front-lip spoiler, and AMG sports stripes in matte graphite grey above the side-sill panels. If you opt for an additional Intelligent Light System you will get red accents on the headlamps.

The model will sit on a set of 19-inch alloy wheels in multi-spoke design and painted in matte black with special AMG hub caps and red-painted brake calipers.

Other than these additions, the new Edition 1 looks identical to the standard CLA 45 AMG. It gets the usual AMG "twin blade" radiator grille and cross strut in the AMG front apron, large air intakes, AMG side sills, AMG rear apron and an AMG sports exhaust system.

Interior

On the inside, the new CLA 45 AMG Edition 1 combines the same black and red theme. The model is offered with standard AMG Performance seats in ARTICO manmade leather, a dashboard in ARTICO manmade leather and an AMG Performance steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather. All these elements come with red contrasting stitching to help break things up a bit.

To further distinguish the Edition 1 from the base CLA 45 AMG, Mercedes also placed an E-SELECT lever with embossed "AMG" emblem, plus "Edition 1" badges on the AMG DRIVE UNIT and the AMG floor mats.

Engine

Under the hood, the new CLA 45 AMG Edition 1 keeps the usual 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers an insane 360 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. The engine is combined with the performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system and sprints the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. Mercedes limits the top speed to 155 mph.

Prices

On the European market, the new CLA 45 AMG Edition 1 is priced at €63,099.75 - about $82,000 at the current exchange rates. No U.S. pricing is available yet, so we are not certain if the Edition 1 model will show up here or not.

Competition

Audi S3 sedan

Just like with the CLS-Class, with the CLA-Class Mercedes is entering a completely new market, so the CLA 45 AMG essentially has no competition.

Still, on the North American market customers can also opt for the Audi S3 sedan, a model powered by a 2.0-liter TFSI engine that produces 296 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. As you can see the S3 is less powerful than the CLA 45 AMG, but it can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and goes up to a top speed of 155 mph.

Conclusion

Mercedes isn't atop our list in favorite makers, but the CLA definitely makes the entire lineup more desirable. It offers the some of the most elegant lines we have seen on a Mercedes, and, when it comes to the AMG model, things get even better. So, yes, the CLA is definitely one of the car we would buy.