Mercedes-AMG CLA45 and GLA45 Get Power Bumps for 2016

2014 Mercedes Benz CLA45 AMG (Credit: MB USA)

In the ever-changing world of automobiles, it is a change-or-die sort of environment. No matter how good you are, there are always 10 others trying to one up you. This isn’t any more evident than in the performance compact realm. Mercedes-AMG sees the impending threat and is injecting an extra dose of go-fast juice into its GLA45 and CLA45 in response.

According to Car and Driver, the changes will come in the form of upgrades to the existing 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. This high-strung four-pot will receive a 20-horsepower and 18-pound-feet boost to put it at an impressive 375 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of twist.

According to the report, Mercedes is also retuning the transmission. For the 2016 model year, the GLA45 and CLA45 cousins will deliver better response in their top five gears, thanks to revised ratios that Mercedes tuned more for acceleration.

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG

These revisions will result in quicker acceleration times, according to Mercedes. The GLA45 will but 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, while the CLA45 will do the same jaunt in just 4.1 seconds. These are pretty big improvements compared to the respective 4.8- and 4.4-second ratings in 2015.

Other than the upgrades to the drivetrain, a few other new goodies will come with the 2016 GLA45 and CLA45. One big addition is the new AMG Dynamic Plus package, which adds in a limited-slip front differential, adaptive suspension, a performance steering wheel, and increases the top speed to 167 mph. For 2016, dual-zone climate control is standard, as it keyless entry. In addition, there’s a new “Turbo 4MATIC” badge for the new model year.

Pricing for the 2016 CLA45 and GLA45 is not available yet, but we should see this in October 2015. Stay tuned for more details.