Mercedes CEO Calls Electric CLA 45 the Best V8 Experience Yet

When Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes, stepped out of the new electric Mercedes-AMG CLA 45, he didn’t hold back: “It was the best V8 I’ve ever driven,” he declared, describing the experience as transformative. The statement, coming from the head of a brand built on combustion heritage, signals just how far electric performance cars have come—and how much they now borrow from the past to shape their future.

The CLA 45 electric recently set a new lap record for its class at the Nürburgring, clocking an impressive 7:32.070. Underneath its sleek body, three electric motors deliver a combined 680 hp and 1,759 Nm of torque, pushing the car from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3 seconds and on to a top speed of 270 km/h with the AMG Dynamic Plus package. Its 94 kWh battery supports a WLTP range of up to 670 kilometers, making it as practical as it is fast.

Simulated Sound, Real Emotion

What sets the CLA 45 apart isn’t just its numbers. Mercedes-AMG has engineered a system that simulates the sound of a classic 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, complete with artificial gear shifts. But as Källenius revealed to Autocar, the system can also mimic the deep growl of a V8, creating an experience that blurs the line between electric innovation and combustion nostalgia. “When I first drove the CLA 45 with that system, I felt like a born-again Christian,” he said, underlining the emotional impact of the technology.

While Mercedes initially promoted the system as a four-cylinder simulation, Källenius’s comments suggest the brand is willing to push the boundaries of what an electric car can sound and feel like. The approach is not without controversy—some purists see it as unnecessary fakery, while others welcome the added drama. The debate echoes similar discussions around other high-performance EVs, such as the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N, which has also been praised for its convincing sound simulation.

Vibration Tech and the Gaming Effect

Beyond sound, the CLA 45 electric introduces AMGForce dampers built into the front seats. These generate vibrations that replicate the physical sensations of a combustion engine, further enhancing the illusion. The result is a driving experience that feels both familiar and futuristic, even if some critics argue that calling it the “best V8 ever” is a stretch.

For many enthusiasts, the numbers tell only part of the story. Electric supercars can now deliver four-digit horsepower and reach 100 km/h in under two seconds, but the emotional connection often comes from sensations that go beyond raw data. Mercedes’s strategy—combining simulated sound, artificial gear shifts, and haptic feedback—aims to bridge that gap, making electric cars feel less like silent appliances and more like the machines drivers have loved for decades.

This pursuit of emotion in electric vehicles is not unique to Mercedes. The industry is grappling with how to preserve the excitement of driving as it transitions away from combustion. As highlighted in a recent story about Spain’s youngest female truck driver breaking barriers in road transport, the evolution of vehicles is as much about cultural identity as it is about technology.

Looking Ahead

Mercedes’s efforts with the CLA 45 electric reflect a broader trend: the desire to make battery-powered cars as emotionally engaging as their petrol predecessors. Whether simulated V8 sounds and vibrating seats will satisfy traditionalists remains to be seen, but the brand’s willingness to experiment is clear. As the automotive world accelerates toward electrification, the challenge will be to create new icons that resonate with drivers—not just through performance, but through the sensations that define the joy of driving.

For now, the electric CLA 45 stands as a symbol of this transition: a car that looks forward, but refuses to let go of the past entirely.