Mercedes-AMG says its new electric CLA 45 4MATIC+ has lapped the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in 7:32.070 minutes, a time the company describes as the fastest in its segment. The run took place on 28 July 2026 and was officially measured and notarised. Power comes from three axial-flux motors producing up to 500 kW (680 hp), with sales due to start in August 2026.
Mercedes-AMG has announced a new benchmark lap for the electric CLA 45 4MATIC+ on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. According to the company, the four-door crossed the line at 11:31 a.m. on 28 July 2026 with an officially measured and notarised time of 7:32.070 minutes, making it the quickest car in its segment around the 20.832 km (12.94-mile) circuit. Conditions were summery, with 24°C air temperature and 30°C on the asphalt. Kevin Berger was at the wheel.
Three axial-flux motors, 680 hp
The CLA 45 is the second series-production electric Mercedes-AMG to use axial-flux motor technology, after the AMG GT 4-Door Coupé. Two of the motors sit on the rear axle and one on the front, together releasing up to 500 kW (680 hp) and taking the four-seater from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 2.7 seconds. The manufacturer notes that the liquid-cooled units can deliver full output repeatedly rather than only in short bursts — a key point for consistent lap times.
Because the three motors are fully decoupled from one another, torque can be split freely between the axles and between the two rear wheels. The front motor works mainly as a booster when extra power is called for, and the resulting AMG Performance 4MATIC+ system shifts between rear- and all-wheel drive continuously, which the company says is imperceptible to the driver.
“AMG was born on the racetrack. In almost 60 years we have proven with numerous vehicles that this DNA still holds true today. The CLA 45 now writes the next chapter of that story. It is the fastest vehicle in its class on the most demanding racetrack in the world. A big thank you to the colleagues who made this record possible. I am certain: it will not be the last AMG record on the Nordschleife.” — Dr. Stefan Weckbach, Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH
Chassis, aero and tyres
The record car ran on Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tyres. Underneath sits a steel-sprung AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension with adaptive three-way damping, built around a three-link front axle and a multi-link rear axle. Mercedes-AMG says every wheel-location component, spring and damper element was reworked compared with the Mercedes-Benz CLA. Damper settings are pre-selectable in three stages: Comfort, Sport and AMGFORCE S+.
Berger drove the lap in the RACE program, offered as part of the optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package. An active rear spoiler — a first in this segment, according to the company — adjusts its angle by driving mode and stays permanently deployed in RACE. Active radiator louvres direct air towards the underbody to cut front-axle lift and can remain closed almost up to 250 km/h (155 mph), opening in eight stages only when cooling demand rises.
Range and energy management
A lithium-ion battery with 94 kWh of usable capacity feeds the motors. Mercedes-AMG quotes a range of more than 670 km (416 miles) for the saloon and 640 km (398 miles) for the Shooting Brake, with combined WLTP consumption of 18.7–16.5 kWh/100 km and 0 g/km CO₂. The operating window of the pack was adapted to keep cells in an optimal temperature range under sustained load.
A Predictive Performance Manager analyses the route and distributes energy according to topography and driving situation, with two strategies: RACE for a single fast lap and SPRINT for consistency over several laps.
What it means
A sub-7:33 lap places a compact electric four-door in territory previously reserved for far larger performance cars, and it gives Mercedes-AMG a concrete answer to the question of what its electric era looks like on track. The claim of a class record rests on the manufacturer’s own segment definition, so rivals may draw the boundaries differently.
Facts: Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+
- Power: up to 500 kW (680 hp), three axial-flux motors (two rear, one front)
- 0–100 km/h: 2.7 seconds
- Battery: 94 kWh usable, lithium-ion
- Range (WLTP): over 670 km (416 miles) saloon; 640 km (398 miles) Shooting Brake
- Consumption (WLTP): 18.7–16.5 kWh/100 km, 0 g/km CO₂, CO₂ class A2
- Nordschleife lap: 7:32.070 minutes, 28 July 2026
- Tyres on the record run: Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS
Mercedes-AMG says sales of the CLA 45 4MATIC+ are planned to start in August 2026.
Source: media.mercedes-benz.com