Mercedes-AMG’s Electric CLA Is Coming To Divide Opinions

A new generation of the Mercedes-Benz CLA is in the works and will spawn both ICE and EV versions of the sleek four-door sedan, including several AMG models. One of these new AMGs will be driven purely by electricity, with heavily disguised prototypes filmed on the move at the Nurburgring. Whether you like it or not, the age of all-electric AMGs has arrived.

The prototypes featured in this video look very similar to the one our spy photographers snapped in the cold European winter back in January, and thick camouflage hides most of the important design elements. Nevertheless, we can see obvious similarities between it and the CLA Concept which has inspired its design.

Read: Electric Mercedes-AMG CLA Spied For The First Time Spraying Four Rooster Tails In The Snow

Much like the concept launched 12 months ago, the production-spec CLA adopts a sleek, swooping roofline that looks absolutely fabulous. Mercedes-Benz’s engineers have done a good job of hiding the headlights but it hasn’t done so well masking the taillights. Heading into several braking zones at Green Hell, we can see the brake lights flash to life, revealing circular LED signatures almost identical to the concept.

AMG has also influenced the design. It has slightly wider front and rear fenders than standard CLA prototypes we’ve seen in the past and has also grown a huge ducktail lip spoiler. While this is likely just a placeholder, a pronounced spoiler/wing or some sort can be expected to feature on the production model.

Standard Mercedes-Benz CLA models with the optional electric powertrain should be good for around 466 miles (750 km) of range, matching the CLA Concept, but little is known about the AMG model. It will surely benefit from a boost in power but also limit the driving range. It’s also bound to rock unique wheels shod in grippy tires and hiding bigger brakes.

The new CLA AMG EV is expected to land next year, although no official launch date has been announced.