Mercedes CLA 45 AMG Racing Series concept for IAA

This Mercedes CLA 45 AMG Racing Series concept car will make its debut at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show next week. It’s a preview of what Mercedes-AMG will offer customer racing teams, and can be tailor-made according to the intended racing series and rules it’s headed to.

Based on the road going 360 hp CLA 45 AMG, this new track racer follows the footsteps of the company’s successful customer SLS SMG GT3 race car, which has gone to win a number of championship titles globally, including Malaysia’s own MMER.

Customer teams can specify the car’s engine output and transmission, with a choice of permanent all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. Either way, the drive will be connected to unique fully adjustable racing suspension with wider front and rear tracks compared to the standard car.

Typical race car add-ons are featured on the outside, most of which are made out of carbon-fibre. The front and rear bumpers, flared wings, side sill panels and rear wing are all bespoke to the racer, and are designed to aid cooling and aerodynamics while generating stabilising downforce.

Inside it’s all stripped out. There’s now a high-strength steel roll cage and a carbon-fibre P 1300 GT racing bucket seat from Recaro, placed behind the Alcantara-wrapped racing steering wheel with shift paddles.

In the last few pictures, the concept car is photographed next to a standard CLA 250 Sport – a new variant of the compact four-door coupe range that will also make an appearance in Frankfurt. It’s the CLA equivalent of the A 250 Sport (both are engineered by AMG), and gets 211 hp and 350 Nm from a 2.0 litre turbo engine.

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