Well 2014 should be interesting. It looks like MB is making an AMG version of their new CLA:
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...uto-show-.html

Putting all of the "well, it'll have Mercedes weak record on reliability" comments aside, this is interesting. If they can hold true to their suggested price point, one of these can be had for under $50K, and probably mid-$50s with a reasonable option set. It has 4 doors, has almost the exact same dimensions as the C63 (and is rumored to have slightly more rear legroom), and supposedly will do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. Guys, this is our current ISF territory in both size and performance for $13K less.

I know the styling is a bit love it or hate it, but personally I think this car's big brother (the CLS) is one of the nicest looking production cars on the road. This doesn't look quite as good, but it also isn't ugly. And since they're going with a turbo, it'll likely have decent gas mileage and some level of tuneability.

Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely and ISF fan and won't even think of selling mine to get one of these in 2014... but if the next ISF is only marginally faster, has the same level of luxury, same gas mileage, and is $75K, I can't say I'd choose one of those over something like this.

 

Not a fan of MB... but that is a nice looking Benz inside and out, and competitively priced. Only time will tell regarding how pricey the options are. But what's even more appealing that it's a AWD AMG..... "The 4Matic all-wheel-drive-equipped CLA45 AMG is based on the front-wheel-drive CLA-Class' architecture; power is sent to the rear wheels only when needed."

 

I'm not gonna lie, it is a good looking car with performance to back it up and I do think it would be in fierce competition with the ISF. I wonder how much it would cost to have it fully hooked up with all the packages. I'm pretty sure one of these murdered out would look stunning.

 

I believe the CLA45 AMG should be at the NY auto show. If I spot it, I'll take pics and post them up.

 

The announcement of this car has my buddy seriously reconsidering purchasing the new IS F-Sport. MB has a potential hit on their hands with this one, as it looks like a rather nice car. I'm looking forward to it.

 

It definitely will. There's another article out there saying that is where they're going to unveil it, so please do get some pics.

I am also not a big MB fan. Of the big 4 (Lexus, BMW, MB, Audi), MB is my least favorite. And yes, I owned an MB for a short period of time. But, when I first saw the CLA pictures I remember thinking "that's a pretty nice looking car" and now hearing about the AMG version means it'll have some performance to back up the looks. I'm friends with a guy that owns a MB dealership and although he obviously can drive any car he wants, he told me about the CLA last year and said it is going to be a pretty sweet little ride. He gives me a bit of grief for driving a Lexus, but if I had his cash flow I'd be driving a Ferrari, but I digress.

I thought the big drawback would be the size, but it looks like it'll be similar in size to the ISF. I figure optioned out, the CLA45 AMG will be around $55K and clearly competition for our current ISF. So if Lexus is planning on charging around $75K for the next gen ISF, they'd better make it worth the $20K difference if they want to capture the small performance sedan market.

 

Like the styling and definitely like the interior.

However, it's still an MB...

 

car look very nice IMO. would love to see it in person

 

It's there I'll get pics of it tonight and post them up in morning it good looking car in person.

 

its FWD car which sends 50% of power to the bank only when needed and probably not a lot since these systems like to heat up from continued use... as such, it is competition to S3 Sedan and not IS F-Sport.

Basically like CT-F if they ever make one.

 

This. CLA45 AMG and S3 are natural competitors. Not the IS-F. End thread.

 

would love to see and drive the AMG version in person. personally, i'm digging the looks but not sure if i'd jump ship for one and ditch my F, tho. and i'm not sure if i'd want to get back into a 4 banger after having the F. i'm sure MB will tune this thing to sound as similar as possible w/ the other AMG line up but you can't compare 2 liters to 5.

 

Doesnt the CLA AMG only have 360 HP ?? The ISF is in the low 400 range. I dont think they are competitors

 

Both fair points. The CLA45 AMG is kind of aimed at the S3 or the BMW 1-series. Lexus does not have something that fits that bracket. I thought the same thing at first... but when you read up on the dimensions of this car, it is closer in size to the ISF both in wheelbase and in interior space and it is also very close in performance to the ISF (at least as far as 0-60 times) despite being down almost 60 ponies.

Maybe it wasn't aimed right at the ISF from a competitive standpoint, but I think it will definitely pull some would-be ISF buyers towards the Mercedes brand. What I really hope is that this either convinces Lexus corporate to release a new ISF based on the 3IS platform for less than the $75K number that is floating around the internet, or if they're stuck on a car that will be +$70K, then it'd better be a monster in the performance arena.

 

It's a possibility. But they cater to two different markets because of their price points. You also look at how the CLA45 AMG and S3 are AWD based off FWD and offer tubro 4's and the IS-F is a RWD with a V8 aimed at more pure sports cars like the C63 AMG, Audi RS4, and BMW M3. Apples and oranges if you ask me.

Will the two be compared? Sure they will, they are both cars, but again both have a different crowd. Hell Top Gear compared a Prius to an M3. **it happens lol