2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S Final Edition: A Turbocharged Farewell to a Compact Legend
As the automotive world pivots toward electrification, combustion-engine vehicles from performance-focused divisions like AMG are becoming increasingly rare. The 2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S “Final Edition” represents not only the end of the current CLA’s lifecycle but also a tribute to one of the most compelling compact performance sedans ever made. Developed by the Affalterbach-based AMG team, this special edition is a limited-run celebration of internal combustion excellence wrapped in exclusivity and performance. The CLA 45 S “Final Edition” marks the last hurrah for a car that has built a strong following among driving enthusiasts who appreciate sharp handling, aggressive styling, and explosive acceleration in a compact, premium package. Offered in limited quantities, this final chapter is loaded with signature AMG enhancements and bespoke styling cues that visually declare its status as the ultimate CLA 45 S. The move is especially significant as Mercedes prepares to unveil the next-generation CLA lineup, which will include fully electric and hybrid options, signaling the dawn of a new, quieter chapter. But before that future arrives, the Final Edition is here to remind us what pure performance feels like.
Exquisite Performance: The Beating Heart of AMG Engineering
Under the sculpted hood lies the undisputed star of the show — AMG’s handcrafted 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, the most powerful production four-cylinder engine in the world. Delivering a mighty 416 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, the CLA 45 S “Final Edition” accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds. Real-world testing suggests it’s even quicker, with some sources citing sub-3.8-second sprints. The top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, though it feels like it’s ready for more. Assembled by a single technician under the “One Man, One Engine” philosophy at AMG’s Affalterbach facility, this powerplant is a mechanical symphony of precision, power, and passion. It's paired with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT® DCT-8G, an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that executes lightning-quick gear changes and keeps the engine in its sweet spot during aggressive driving. The fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system features AMG Torque Control, which can send power to individual wheels on the rear axle — delivering both insane traction and the ability to engage drift mode. Whether carving mountain roads or demolishing track days, the Final Edition serves as a masterclass in modern performance engineering.
Design Distinction: Bold Aesthetics Meet Aerodynamic Excellence
The 2026 CLA 45 S Final Edition doesn’t merely rely on numbers to stand out; its appearance is just as arresting. Clad exclusively in MANUFAKTUR Mountain Grey Magno, a rich matte grey finish from Mercedes’ bespoke personalization division, the car exudes menace and refinement. Bold black-and-yellow “45 S” graphics stretch across the front doors, while yellow stripes highlight the side mirror housings, creating a high-contrast visual signature that ensures it stands apart in any crowd. The 19-inch AMG forged cross-spoke wheels are painted matte black and feature subtle yellow highlights around the center caps. Even the brake calipers, finished in gloss black, bear crisp white AMG logos — reinforcing that no detail has been overlooked. Enhancing both looks and performance, the Final Edition includes the AMG Night Package Plus and AMG Aerodynamics Package Plus as standard. The former adds gloss black and black chrome trim across the grille, badges, and window surrounds, while the latter installs dive planes on the front bumper, a beefed-up front splitter, a massive fixed rear wing, and a dramatic gloss black diffuser. A special AMG fuel cap in silver chrome with black detailing is yet another flourish that elevates the vehicle’s bespoke status.
Interior Craftsmanship: A High-Performance Lounge with Yellow Flair
Step inside the CLA 45 S Final Edition and you’re welcomed into a cockpit that balances race-ready purpose with luxury. The AMG Performance seats are upholstered in a combination of MB-Tex and microfiber, both rendered in deep black and highlighted by vivid yellow contrast stitching. The front headrests feature embroidered “45 S” logos in yellow, affirming that this isn’t your average compact sedan. Yellow stitching continues on the dashboard and door panels, creating visual unity throughout the cabin. The center console bears a “45 S Final Edition” badge, a subtle yet important reminder that you’re seated in something truly special. The AMG Performance steering wheel, trimmed in a combination of Nappa leather and microfiber, features yellow contrast stitching, aluminum accents, and yellow AMG branding — a tactile and visual treat for the driver. AMG-branded floor mats with yellow detailing and illuminated yellow AMG door sills round out the custom aesthetic. The result is an interior that feels like a high-tech sports car with the comfort and refinement of a luxury vehicle, emphasizing driver focus while enveloping passengers in sophistication.
Limited and Legendary: A Collectible for the AMG Enthusiast
While Mercedes hasn’t disclosed the exact production numbers, the “limited availability” status all but guarantees the 2026 CLA 45 S Final Edition will become a collector’s item. Enthusiasts and brand loyalists alike will recognize the Final Edition as the last gasoline-powered CLA 45 S before the model transitions to electrified powertrains. That historical significance, combined with its bespoke styling, comprehensive feature set, and potent performance, make it a likely target for future appreciation. Unlike some special editions that amount to little more than aesthetic tweaks, the Final Edition includes a full suite of AMG enhancements as standard. This not only boosts value but ensures that each unit is fully loaded, representing the best possible version of the CLA 45 S. For those who’ve followed the evolution of the CLA from its humble beginnings to its AMG pinnacle, this final model acts as both celebration and swan song. It’s also a final opportunity to experience AMG’s signature four-cylinder fury before future iterations shift to hybrid and electric powertrains, which, while exciting in their own right, mark a significant departure from tradition.
The Future Beckons: What Comes After the Final Edition
Mercedes-Benz is already hard at work preparing the third-generation CLA, expected to launch later in 2025 with a fully electric version as the lead offering. A hybrid variant will follow in 2026, bringing new technologies and platforms into the fold. While AMG is expected to tune future versions of both, those upcoming models will inevitably operate under vastly different principles. The future CLA 45 — if it retains the same name — may boast superior acceleration and torque thanks to electric motors, but it will lack the visceral thrill and mechanical connection that defines the current Final Edition. There’s also the uncertainty of how AMG’s dynamic philosophy — the balance between comfort and pure sport — will translate in a fully electric chassis. For purists and performance traditionalists, the 2026 CLA 45 S Final Edition offers the last opportunity to enjoy AMG’s explosive turbo-four, the auditory delight of a performance exhaust, and the tactile joy of rear-biased all-wheel drive in its current form. While the future promises innovation, this Final Edition provides closure — a well-executed, highly desirable conclusion to a beloved chapter.
Conclusion: The CLA 45 S Final Edition Is a Worthy Farewell
The 2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S Final Edition is more than just a special model — it’s a rolling tribute to a golden era of compact performance. With its bold styling, handcrafted engine, advanced drivetrain, and carefully curated interior, it represents everything enthusiasts have come to love about AMG’s smallest high-performance sedan. It doesn’t just end the story — it punctuates it. As Mercedes shifts gears toward a fully electric future, this Final Edition stands as a monument to AMG’s relentless pursuit of performance excellence, delivering a complete package that is both thrilling to drive and rich in aesthetic and emotional appeal. For those fortunate enough to acquire one, it’s not merely a car — it’s a memory in motion, a celebration of engineering passion, and a collector-grade time capsule for a rapidly vanishing breed of gasoline-powered sport sedans. The CLA 45 S Final Edition doesn’t simply go out with a bang — it roars, accelerates, and drifts into history, leaving rubber on the pavement and a legacy that future generations of electric AMGs will have to live up to.
