Mercedes is celebrating 55 years of its AMG performance brand with a limited-edition AMG CLA 45 "coupe" called Edition 55. It has four doors, but features a sportier roof line than a sedan, hence the name.
The company's AMG nameplate denotes higher-powered engines and improved aerodynamics, and the 2023 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 "Edition 55," comes with the company's turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that's found in several of its high-performance vehicles.
Paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all wheel drive, the coupe is capable of 382 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. The company says that it can jump from zero to 60 mph in 4 seconds flat.
That's a step above the base CLA, which comes with a turbo 2.0-liter inline-four engine making 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
The Edition 55 is decked out in Cosmos Black Metallic with a few hints of red, and features a number of AMG's packages enhancing its style and aerodynamic ability.
AMG's Night Package is included (usually a $1,150 charge), which adds gloss black finishes to the front air-dam splitter edge, side mirrors, side-sill inserts, side-window surrounds and air intake. It also gets a dark-tinted grille and black badges.
An AMG Aerodynamics Package ($1,550) is also thrown in, which results in a more pronounced front splitter. On the opposite end, the larger rear spoiler, lateral airflow breakaway edges and the diffuser are all finished in gloss black.
The 19-inch AMG cross-spoke wheels are painted in matte gray.
Inside the cabin, the AMG Performance seats are upholstered in two tones, Classic Red and Black Nappa Leather. Microfiber covers the steering wheel with an "Edition 55" badge on the lower spoke.
The door sill panels are illuminated in red AMG lettering, while the floor mats are finished in velour with red contrast stitching and "Edition 55" woven in red. Dark brushed aluminum trim elements also dot the interior with black and red accents.
The Edition 55 also comes with a customized black, synthetic fiber indoor car cover.
AMG, which stands for founders Hans-Werners Aufrect and Erhard Melcher, and Grossaspach, where Aufrect was born, was founded in 1967 by former Mercedes engineers to build racing engines. It remained an independent company until Mercedes took a part interest in 1999. The division was fully folded under the umbrella with the luxury automaker taking sole ownership in 2005.
Pricing for the 2023 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 "Edition 55" has yet to be announced, however the standard AMG CLA 45 starts at $55,900.
The company says that the limited-run model will be available this fall.
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