logo
2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 S Final Edition Bids Farewell

2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 S Final Edition Bids Farewell

Car and Driver19 hours ago
The 2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 S Final Edition marks the end of the line for the second-generation CLA and its sporty AMG-tuned variant.
The Final Edition pairs Mountain Grey Magno paint with yellow accents and loud "45 S" graphics on the front doors.
The Final Edition will be offered in limited numbers starting in early 2026; pricing hasn't yet been announced.
Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to launch the new third-generation 2026 CLA-class, starting this fall with the fully electric CLA EV before adding a new hybrid CLA-class sedan in early 2026. But Mercedes's performance division, AMG, has yet to work its magic on the new CLA, and before it does, it has revealed a send-off for the current CLA45 S in the form of a new Final Edition.
The 2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 S Final Edition will be available in limited numbers—although the automaker didn't specify just how many—when it reaches dealerships early next year. The Final Edition wears Mountain Grey Magno paint from the brand's Manufaktur personalization program and is further distinguished by a black-and-yellow "45 S" graphic on the front doors. Yellow accents are also found on the sideview mirrors.
Mercedes-Benz
The 19-inch wheels are painted matte black with yellow accents surrounding the center caps. The black brake calipers have AMG logos. The Final Edition also has the AMG Night package, bringing gloss-black and black-chrome exterior trim. The AMG Aerodynamics Package Plus is also fitted, bringing a beefier front splitter, small dive planes on the front bumper, a sizable rear wing, and a gloss-black rear diffuser. There is also a special silver chrome fuel cap adorned with AMG lettering.
The yellow touches continue inside, where the Final Edition features black AMG Performance seats upholstered in microsuede and Mercedes's MB-Tex synthetic leather. There is yellow stitching throughout the cabin, and the front headrests sport an embroidered "45 S" logo. There is also a "45 S Final Edition" on the center console, an illuminated AMG badge on the door sills, "45 S" branding on the floor mats, and more yellow accents on the nappa leather and microfiber steering wheel.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
The powertrain remains unchanged, with the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder pumping out 416 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Mercedes claims the CLA45 S can rip from zero to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds en route to a 155-mph top speed. But we bet it's even quicker. When we tested a 2020 CLA45, back when it had only 382 hp, it did the dash in just 3.7 seconds. Shifting duties are handled by an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, and the CLA45's standard all-wheel-drive system can send all of the power to the rear wheels for tail-happy antics.
While the 2026 CLA45 S Final Edition marks the end of the line for the second-generation sporty sedan, Mercedes is surely cooking up a hotter version of the new third-generation model. Spy photos have captured a new CLA wearing an active rear wing, redesigned bumpers, and camouflage on the front fenders where an AMG badge typically goes. We expect AMG to fiddle with both the hybrid and electric CLA-class sedans, and we shouldn't have to wait too much longer for a full reveal.
Caleb Miller
Associate News Editor
Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

2026 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S: More Power, More Driven Wheels, More Money
2026 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S: More Power, More Driven Wheels, More Money

Motor 1

time22 minutes ago

  • Motor 1

2026 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S: More Power, More Driven Wheels, More Money

As reliably as the sun rises and sets, Porsche is fleshing out the 911 lineup. Following last year's facelift, Porsche just revealed the new all-wheel drive "S" variants, Carrera 4S coupe and Cabriolet, plus Targa 4S. The headline? More power and standard equipment than their predecessors, and a healthy price increase, too. Like the rear-drive Carrera S coupe and Cabriolet , the new all-wheel drive models get a 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six making 473 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The power increase is largely thanks to intercoolers from the 911 Turbo, Porsche says, and the horsepower figure matches the old Carrera GTS's, though torque is slightly lower. As with its rear-drive siblings, the only transmission available is an eight-speed PDK dual-clutch. Porsche is, so far, limiting the manual to just the purist-aimed Carrera T and GT3 . Photo by: Porsche Photo by: Porsche The new 4S models also get a standard Sports Exhaust and larger brakes from the old Carrera GTS model. As before, adaptive dampers, a rear limited-slip differential, and 20/21-inch wheels are standard, while sport suspension, rear-wheel steering, the Sport Chrono package, and carbon-ceramic brakes are optional. However, the Targa 4S gets rear-steer standard. Inside, there's more leather trim standard than before, and the rest of the upgrades Porsche gave the 911, including somewhat controversially, a digital gauge cluster. The coupe comes standard as a two-seater now, with 2+2 seating a no-cost option, and standard on the Cabriolet and Targa. Porsche says in the US, around half of all 911 "S" models are all-wheel drive, so these are an important addition to the lineup. And until now, for the face-lifted model, the entry-level all-wheel drive 911 was the hybrid Carrera 4 GTS. So, these cars usefully lower the barrier of entry. Not that they're cheap. Preliminary pricing for the 2026 Carrera 4S coupe is $156,450—over $16,000 more than the 2024 model, though Porsche stresses this is subject to change. There's more standard equipment and performance than before, but still, that's a large gap. The preliminary cost for the Carrera 4S Cabriolet is $169,650 while the Targa 4S is $171,350. Not that Porsche customers will balk at these prices. Demand for new 911s seems to far outstrip supply. More on the 911 Is the 911 Hybrid Still a True Porsche? Video Review The 2026 Porsche 911 Carrera T is God's Sports Car Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Gallery: 2026 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, Targa 4S 9 Source: Porsche Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )

2026 Porsche 911 4S Variants Bring AWD Back into the Mix
2026 Porsche 911 4S Variants Bring AWD Back into the Mix

Car and Driver

timean hour ago

  • Car and Driver

2026 Porsche 911 4S Variants Bring AWD Back into the Mix

The 2026 Porsche 911 is reviving the all-wheel-drive 4S trim for the Carrera coupe and cabriolet as well as the Targa models. The new 4S models sport the same 473-hp twin-turbo flat-six as the Carrera S, making them 30 horsepower more powerful than their predecessors. Preliminary pricing puts the Carrera 4S at around $156K, the Carrera 4S Cabriolet at about $170K, and the Targa 4S at roughly $171K. Porsche is famous for splitting hairs—and rightly so. It shouldn't be scientifically possible to produce so many variations of the same car that continue to feel distinct, and yet here we are. Starting with the 2026 model year, Porsche is reviving the all-wheel-drive 4S trim for the 911 Carrera coupe, Carrera cabriolet, and Targa models. The new 4S models house the same 473-hp version of the twin-turbo flat-six found in the rest of the Carrera S lineup. The engine pairs with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (PDK); there's no manual available. When using the Sport Chrono package's launch-control system, Porsche claims the new 4S sprints from zero to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds. We haven't yet had the chance to test the current Carrera S, but considering we managed to get the 388-hp base Carrera to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds in our testing, we expect the 4S will be even quicker. Porsche Porsche As with every other model equipped with Porsche's traction-management (PTM) system, the torque split on the 4S models is rear-biased by default but sends extra power to the front axle if required. As with their predecessors, the front differential on the new 4S models is water-cooled and uses an electromechanically controlled clutch. Along with the rest of the Carrera S lineup, the new 4S models borrow from the previous GTS generation's parts bin. That includes pilfering that model's upgraded brakes, sport-tuned exhaust, and improved dampers. Porsche As could be expected, preliminary pricing slots the 4S models between the Carrera S models and the more expensive GTS models. The Carrera 4S coupe will start at around $156K, the Carrera 4S cabriolet at about $170K, and the Targa 4S should come in at around $171K. Porsche said it hasn't yet confirmed those prices, so they could change before deliveries start later this year. Jack Fitzgerald Associate News Editor Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. Read full bio

Tesla Q2 Vehicle Deliveries Shrank 13% As Elon Musk's Troubles Mount
Tesla Q2 Vehicle Deliveries Shrank 13% As Elon Musk's Troubles Mount

Forbes

timean hour ago

  • Forbes

Tesla Q2 Vehicle Deliveries Shrank 13% As Elon Musk's Troubles Mount

Tesla investors received more suboptimal news when Elon Musk's automaker reported sales data below Wall Street's already muted expectations, as Tesla's headaches swell in wake of Musk's cozying up to – and split from – President Donald Trump. The declining vehicle deliveries came as Elon Musk fell out of favor with Donald Trump. AFP via Getty Images Tesla said Wednesday morning it delivered 384,122 vehicles to customers during the second quarter, coming in below consensus analyst forecasts of 387,000, according to FactSet data. That's a 13% decline compared to Q2 2024, when Tesla delivered 444,000 cars. That narrowly surpasses 2025's first quarter as Tesla's largest year-over-year decline in vehicle deliveries on record. The quarterly vehicle delivery numbers, one of the key barometers of the company's success, come the same week as Musk's staredown intensified with Trump, a one-time close ally. Musk, who spent more than $200 million last year to help elect Trump, loudly disagreed with Trump's spending bill which passed the Senate on Tuesday. Trump said he'd 'look' at deporting the naturalized U.S. citizen Musk and would reevaluate government subsidies awarded to Musk's companies, namely Tesla and aerospace firm SpaceX. Shares of Tesla slipped 5% on Tuesday to their lowest level in more than three weeks, extending their 2025 decline to more than 20%. Surprising Fact Musk fired Tesla's head of North America and Europe operations Omead Afshar, Forbes first reported last week. In a potential sign of the seriousness of the declining sales, Musk will directly oversee sales in the U.S. and Europe following Afshar's exit, according to Bloomberg. Tesla has wobbled as Musk, the richest man in the world, grew increasingly unpopular in the public eye, with sales slipping as Musk leaned into right-wing politics. Tesla new car registrations declined through each of 2025's first five months in Europe, while sales in the key markets of China and California also tumbled. The company's core vehicle business is slumping, but it has made progress in artificial intelligence, as it rolled out a limited launch of its long-awaited robotaxi driverless vehicle service in Austin, Texas, last month. Further Reading Forbes Elon Is Asking For It: What Musk's Latest Trump Spat Means As Tesla Sales Sink By Alan Ohnsman Forbes Elon Musk Has Fired One Of His Top Tesla Lieutenants By Alan Ohnsman

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store