Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 sets Nürburgring record

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The 680 hp electric Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 has lapped the Nürburgring in 7:32.070, making it the fastest four-door compact car while trailing the BMW M2 benchmark by 7.002 seconds.

Mercedes-AMG has set a new Nürburgring Nordschleife benchmark with the all-new CLA 45 4MATIC+, recording an officially measured and notarised lap time of 7 minutes 32.070 seconds. Completed by Mercedes-AMG driver Kevin Berger on July 28, 2026, the lap makes the sporty four-door saloon the fastest four-door compact car around the 20.832-kilometre circuit. Mercedes-AMG itself describes the CLA 45 as the fastest vehicle in its segment. The CLA also beats the Audi RS 3’s 7:33.123 lap from 2024 by 1.053 seconds. Audi had previously described the RS 3 as the fastest compact car around the Nordschleife. However, the CLA does not hold the outright compact-car benchmark. That belongs to the two-door BMW M2 with M Performance Track Kit, which recorded 7:25.068 in May 2026 — exactly 7.002 seconds quicker than the Mercedes. BMW says the M2’s lap was notarised and verified by TÜV Rheinland.

Three motors and 680 hp

Unlike its petrol-powered predecessors, the new CLA 45 is fully electric and uses three axial-flux motors — two at the rear and one at the front.

Together, they produce up to 500 kW, or 680 hp, allowing the four-seater to accelerate from 0–100 km/h in a claimed 2.7 seconds, measured with a one-foot rollout. Mercedes-AMG says liquid cooling enables the motors to repeatedly deliver their full output under demanding conditions.

Following the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé, the CLA 45 is only the second fully electric production model to use the company’s axial-flux motor technology.

Variable AMG all-wheel drive

The three motors form part of a newly developed AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system.

The front motor primarily acts as a booster when additional performance is required, while the two rear motors allow torque to be distributed individually between the rear wheels.

The system can continuously vary torque distribution between the axles and switch between rear- and all-wheel drive depending on the driving situation.

For the record lap, the CLA 45 was fitted with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tyres.

Track-focused suspension and Race mode

The CLA 45 uses steel-sprung AMG Ride Control sports suspension with adaptive three-way damping and multilink front and rear axles.

Compared with the regular Mercedes-Benz CLA, AMG has revised the wheel-guiding components, springs and dampers to improve lateral performance while retaining controllability at the limit.

Drivers can choose between Comfort, Sport and AMGFORCE S+ suspension settings, with damping adjusted individually at each wheel within milliseconds.

Berger completed the record lap using the RACE drive programme, available with the optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package. It sharpens accelerator response, conditions the drivetrain for sustained performance and firms up the suspension to reduce body roll and pitch.

Active aerodynamics

The CLA 45 also features an active rear spoiler, which Mercedes-AMG says is a first in the segment.

Its angle changes depending on the selected drive programme and conditions, either improving stability or reducing aerodynamic drag. In RACE mode, the spoiler remains active continuously.

Active cooling shutters also manage airflow towards the underbody to reduce front-axle lift. They operate independently through eight stages and can remain almost completely closed at speeds of up to 250 km/h when additional cooling is not required.

Intelligent energy management

A key part of the record attempt was Mercedes-AMG’s Predictive Performance Manager, which analyses the circuit layout and topography to determine where the available energy can have the greatest effect on lap time.

Rather than simply deploying maximum output continuously, the system manages energy across the lap. Drivers can choose between Hotlap for the fastest possible single lap and Endurance for more consistent performance over multiple laps.

94 kWh battery and 670 km-plus range

The CLA 45 uses a 94 kWh usable lithium-ion battery, with its operating window and thermal management adapted to meet AMG’s higher performance requirements.

Despite its performance focus, Mercedes-AMG claims a range of more than 670 km for the saloon and 640 km for the Shooting Brake. Official WLTP energy consumption for the CLA 45 4MATIC+ saloon is 18.7–16.5 kWh/100 km.

Sales of the new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ are scheduled to begin in August 2026, although pricing and market-specific availability have yet to be announced.

The result therefore gives the CLA 45 a notable distinction: it is 1.053 seconds quicker than the previous Audi RS 3 compact benchmark, while remaining 7.002 seconds behind the two-door BMW M2 with M Performance Track Kit.