Autombile drives the CLA 45 AMG
#1
Autombile drives the CLA 45 AMG
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...g_first_drive/
Quite an interesting car - and quite a bargain as well. I think the IS350 Fsport may be in trouble.
Quite an interesting car - and quite a bargain as well. I think the IS350 Fsport may be in trouble.
#3
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
wow, that engine is amazing.
#5
Lexus Fanatic
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...g_first_drive/
Quite an interesting car - and quite a bargain as well. I think the IS350 Fsport may be in trouble.
Quite an interesting car - and quite a bargain as well. I think the IS350 Fsport may be in trouble.
#6
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
I think the IS F sport,328, and A4 are in trouble. Who wouldnt want an AMG badge and performance and styling like that. Great package. Kudos to Benz and AMG for creating a great package and having the ***** to open up sales numbers. I think they know they have a winner on their hands
I'm not a fan of the styling, either.
#7
The only real limitation to it is that only 50% of torque can be sent rear, versus Torsen setups where up to 90% can be sent front or rear, but this shouldn't hurt the car much in dry conditions.
In a nutshell, handling due to the AWD system won't be much of an issue. Suspension tuning will matter much more for this segment than the limitations of the AWD system.
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#8
Lexus Test Driver
I'll wait for a reviewer other than automobile mag to pass further judgment. Chris Harris, anyone?
Not sure many (if any) people are really going to cross-shop the IS F and the CLA45. The platforms are so vastly different. Even for the odd person who might, I'm not sure that the CLA package would justify the ~$12k difference in MSRP. Even the 135i didn't do that to the 335i and they are much similar packages.
Also, this thing is priced above 335i territory, much less being anywhere close to the A4 or 328i. I actually think this car is a really tough sell at nearly $50k. Other than the engine, I just don't find the platform compelling - for reasons other posters have already mentioned in this thread.
MB does deserve a lot of credit for bringing this to market. It's a niche product that Lexus, for one, clearly does not have the guts to try.
I think the IS F sport,328, and A4 are in trouble. Who wouldnt want an AMG badge and performance and styling like that. Great package. Kudos to Benz and AMG for creating a great package and having the ***** to open up sales numbers. I think they know they have a winner on their hands
Also, this thing is priced above 335i territory, much less being anywhere close to the A4 or 328i. I actually think this car is a really tough sell at nearly $50k. Other than the engine, I just don't find the platform compelling - for reasons other posters have already mentioned in this thread.
MB does deserve a lot of credit for bringing this to market. It's a niche product that Lexus, for one, clearly does not have the guts to try.
#9
Lexus Champion
Not sure many (if any) people are really going to cross-shop the IS F and the CLA45. The platforms are so vastly different. Even for the odd person who might, I'm not sure that the CLA package would justify the ~$12k difference in MSRP. Even the 135i didn't do that to the 335i and they are much similar packages.
Second, I disagree that this won't be cross shopped, especially considering there isn't even an IS-F on the books yet. Lexus seems like it has no real interest in humoring the enthusiast.
Like you, I owned the first gen F. I'd already have my name down for the new one....except it doesn't exist....and the front end is ridiculously hideous. Something like this that is fun and cheaper might just satisfy my need for something "fun". Wife liked her MB and likes the looks of this. For significant $$$ less than an F, why not?
Also, this thing is priced above 335i territory, much less being anywhere close to the A4 or 328i. I actually think this car is a really tough sell at nearly $50k. Other than the engine, I just don't find the platform compelling - for reasons other posters have already mentioned in this thread.
MB does deserve a lot of credit for bringing this to market. It's a niche product that Lexus, for one, clearly does not have the guts to try.
MB does deserve a lot of credit for bringing this to market. It's a niche product that Lexus, for one, clearly does not have the guts to try.
Lexus doesn't have the "guts" to commit to the IS-F...lol.
#11
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
#12
Lexus Test Driver
Not going to bother re-re-re-re-rebeating the dead horse of the next-gen IS F.
#14
This is also the same basic engine/transmission you find in the SLR McLaren supercar that makes 600+hp in that application.
#15
Pole Position
I'm a bit worried about a 2 liter engine with 26.1 pounds of boost pushing out 355 hp.
Seems like a really stressed engine with longevity concerns.
Seems like a really stressed engine with longevity concerns.