Mercedes-Benz at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show

We are still keeping a close eye on all the new releases being presented at the Geneva Motor Show, but now we are going to take a closer look at Mercedes’s stand. Here we find three major new releases: the A45 AMG, the redesigned CLA and the E63 AMG.

Ever since the Mercedes A-Class was launched, everyone had been waiting for the German brand to bring out a sporty version that would combine bolder styling with a somewhat more powerful engine. Well, here it is: the A45 AMG, a city car that hides a lot of fun under its bonnet.

Its 2-litre engine produces 360 CV of power and 450 Nm of torque, which, through an AMG Speedshift DCT seven-speed gearbox, sends the power to all four wheels. In figures, the A45 AMG goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 250 km/h. As you would expect, its exterior has a more sporty design, with the AMG-specific grille and grey front spoilers.

In addition, its alloy wheels are now 18 inches, and at the rear there is a diffuser in titanium grey with chrome exhaust pipes. Inside, you are enveloped by its sports seats and a dashboard with a carbon-fibre look, which reminds you of the exclusivity of this model. The predominantly black combination, with red stitching on the seats and steering wheel, alongside the instrument cluster and air vents, gives an even sportier look. However, we will still have to wait before it reaches the European market.

The next new release is the European presentation of the Mercedes CLA, a true exercise in design. Its dimensions are 4,630 mm in length, 1,777 mm in width and 1,437 mm in height, which sits within the typical measurements for the brand. Even with these dimensions, the Mercedes CLA achieves a drag coefficient Cx of 0.23, one of the lowest, which has a positive effect on its low consumption figures.

Inside, we find a design very similar to that of the A-Class, where the finishes and chosen materials meet the expected level of quality. However, one of the problems we noticed first-hand is the insufficient space in the rear seats, both in headroom and for the feet. As for the engine range, it will offer three petrol engines and two diesels.

The last new release we found on Mercedes’s stand is the E63 AMG, a restyle that mainly affects the mechanics, combining the 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 and the permanent all-wheel-drive system. Power rises to 557 CV with 720 Nm of torque, all with a consumption of around 10 litres per 100 km. The new E63 AMG accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 250 km/h.

Photos | Highmotor Team