2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

Subtlety doesn't cut it anymore in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim. The new CLA-class, proclaimed a "style rebel" by design chief Gorden Wagener, has made that clear with its voluptuous lines and playful styling elements. This "four-door coupe" appears compact, but it’s only marginally shorter, and actually wider and taller than the legendary 1985–1995 E-class W124 sedan.

The swoopy, aggressive styling may seem slightly overwrought on the entry-level CLA250, but it hits the mark with the CLA45 AMG. That derivative, which debuts at the 2013 New York auto show, is so powerful and (probably) so fast that we'd let it get away with practically any wing, flare, and spoiler you could imagine. Oh, wait—Mercedes already beat you to it. The CLA45 boasts a "twin-blade AMG grille," "large inlet ports framed by black winglets," matte gray side sills, a rear diffuser, and AMG-specific 18-inch aluminum wheels on 235/40 tires. If that’s not enough, buyers can opt for a carbon-fiber exterior package or something called "AMG Night Styling," which includes black chrome elements. Nineteen-inch wheels on 235/35 rubber are offered as well. Can we suggest a bosozuku-style spoiler, too?

But the flamboyant automotive fashion show should be backed up by performance. Under the hood of the CLA45 AMG lives the 2.0-liter M133 engine, which is partly assembled by hand, and loosely based on Benz's M270/274 engine architecture. The long-stroke powerplant is force-fed by a single twin-scroll turbocharger, and it produces 355 horsepower at 6000 rpm. Maximum torque is 332 lb-ft, available from 2250 to 5000 rpm. Output is channeled through a Mercedes-built seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that offers several drive modes and can blip the throttle during downshifts. The standard all-wheel-drive system, which is said to be especially lightweight, is front-biased and can shift up to 50 percent of the torque to the rear wheels. The ESP stability-control system has three modes including a full-off position, although, if you brake, the system comes on even if "ESP Off" has been selected.

To cope with the high power and torque, the CLA45 AMG features completely revised front and rear suspensions, a high-performance braking system, and an AMG-specific calibration of the electromechanical power steering. Time spent behind the wheel of an A45 AMG prototype (closely related to the CLA) justifies high expectations for the on-road and track performance of this sporty sedan. The straight-line numbers are encouraging as well: Zero to 60 mph is projected to take a mere 4.5 seconds, while top speed is governed at 155 mph.

The CLA45 AMG will hit dealerships in November 2013 at a price of $48,375. Loading it up with options and packages will push it into to the high-$50K range. That may seem steep for a derivative of a front-wheel-drive sedan like the CLA250, which is offered from a mere $30,825. But it is a bargain when you factor in its ultra-high performance and all-wheel-drive capabilities. Its toughest competitor will be the upcoming Audi RS3 sedan. But that model is still a way off in the future. Benz has a potential winner on its hands, so we understand if the company doesn’t feel the need to be subtle about it.