Mercedes unveiled the new AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ at Goodwood Festival of Speed with a powertrain setup that reshapes what compact performance sedans can deliver. The car packs 680 horsepower from three axial-flux motors, representing a dramatic leap in electric motor technology for a mainstream performance vehicle.
The axial-flux motor architecture differs fundamentally from traditional radial-flux designs by positioning magnets along the axis rather than perpendicular to it. This allows Mercedes to pack more power density into a smaller footprint. Three independent motors distributed across the platform give the CLA 45 4MATIC+ precise torque vectoring and all-wheel-drive capability without sacrificing interior space or efficiency.
The 680-hp output places this compact sedan in hypercar territory for acceleration metrics. To contextualize the numbers: this generation CLA 45 far exceeds the previous turbocharged four-cylinder model and challenges mid-range sports cars in raw pace. The multi-motor setup also eliminates the traditional single-motor bottleneck that plagued earlier electric performance cars, allowing engineers to optimize each motor for specific driving conditions and wheel slip scenarios.
Mercedes leveraged the Goodwood showcase to highlight the car's performance pedigree. The company enlisted rising Formula 1 driver Kimi Antonelli to pilot the vehicle up the famous hillclimb, signaling both confidence in the platform and commitment to performance credentials in the electric era. That choice reflects broader industry messaging: electric powertrains need not compromise on driving engagement or speed.
This CLA 45 represents Mercedes' evolution strategy in the compact performance segment. As regulations tighten globally and buyers increasingly accept electrification, legacy performance brands must prove their credentials with kilowatt counts rather than displacement. Three axial-flux motors provide that credibility while delivering genuine performance benefits through