Punchy but practical Mercedes-AMG CLA Shooting Brake EV spotted testing

Despite sharing its platform with the A-Class hatchback, the old petrol-powered Mercedes CLA was always available as a more practical Shooting Brake estate. That’s not about to change with the model’s switch to electric power, because we’ve spotted the new CLA Shooting Brake in hot AMG guise.

The basic design of the CLA (officially called the CLA with EQ Technology) in saloon form is already known, because Mercedes took the covers off the standard car back in May. However, the AMG version will introduce plenty of performance-focused tweaks, both to the design and under the skin, to mark it out as the more potent range-topper. 

These latest spy shots give a great indication as to what’s in store for the sportier, AMG-fettled CLA Shooting Brake. Despite the camouflage, we can clearly see the AMG variant will gain a bespoke front bumper with a more aggressive look, thanks to larger air intakes. The main Mercedes ‘Panamericana’ grille (which remains blanked off) looks unchanged from other AMG products, although we can expect a unique insert. The lighting elements on both the front and rear are visible, too – sharing the same three-pointed star signature as the regular CLA. There’s also a fully painted pre-production body under the camouflage too.

Along the side, the AMG CLA will have wider wheelarches to house large wheels. Behind those suitably sized alloys we can see a set of big brake calipers and discs, which strangely for an AMG product, aren’t grooved or drilled for cooling. The flared arches flow into more prominent side skirts to give the AMG model a stronger stance on the road.

Where this test car in particular gets interesting is at the rear, because it’s the first time we’ve spotted the electric CLA in Shooting Brake guise. The raked rear window that has always featured on CLA Shooting Brakes continues, so while the estate will be more practical than the saloon, don’t expect a massive increase over the regular car’s 405-litre boot capacity. 

On top of the rear bootlid we can see a roof spoiler, which may adjust its position according to the car’s speed. As an all-electric model, the new AMG CLA won’t have four exhaust pipes under the bumper, but it should have a unique bumper and AMG badging. 

Below this hot version, the range kicks off with the CLA 250+, which features a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 268bhp that’ll get it from 0-62mph in just 6.7 seconds and power it to a top speed of 130mph. The dual-motor CLA 350, meanwhile – with its more potent 348bhp output – reduces the CLA’s 0-62mph time to 4.9 seconds. The AMG version will get dual-motor power, although we expect it to be upped to around 450bhp, potentially with British firm Yasa providing the motors, just like it’s doing with the new Mercedes-AMG EV super-saloon.

Prioritising performance over efficiency, the AMG model might not be able to match the standard CLA EV’s 484-mile range maximum, although we expect an impressive figure from its 85kWh battery – possibly over the 400-mile mark. 

Initially, the electric Mercedes-AMG CLA will most likely have the market to itself, with both its BMW M and Audi Sport arch-rivals focusing their attention on larger models such as the forthcoming iM3 and RS 6 e-tron. Instead, the flagship CLA will have to deal with new competitors, with companies like Hyundai and Tesla leading the charge in the segment.

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