Mercedes has moved the engine fakery game on with seat shakers and simulated pops and bangs
The arrival of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N was a landmark moment for electric performance cars. There’s a distinct split between those from before it and its virtual gearbox and those that came after.
The new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 is only the latest to jump on the trend after the Porsche Taycan and Honda Super-N, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see more in the years – even months – to come.
AMG’s people are aware that it’s a little bit frivolous and that the emergence of such technology is perhaps a fad rather than a long-term trend. But they also argue that it’s also a bit of fun – and what’s the point of a car like this if not to have fun?
After a brief hands-on with the CLA in a studio, I’m inclined to agree.
To recap, in case you’re unfamiliar, the EV replicates the turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the old CLA 45. Mercedes brought in staff from the music industry to bolster its authenticity: 13 microphones were mounted both inside and outside an A45 S (powered by the same engine) to record more than 1600 clips covering all manner of driving scenarios.
The EV starts in utter silence, but clicking the drive mode dial into S+ fires it into life in a flash. It’s certainly loud enough to wake the neighbours, so I’m glad there’s a quieter setting.
The seat shakers give you a nice little rumble in the small of your back as you stab at the pedal and watch the revs rise and fall, and it’s enough to recapture a hint of the viscerality that is often missing from sporting EVs.
The revs themselves seem to ebb and flow quicker here than in the petrol A45 S that I drove a couple of winters ago, as if to replicate a car with a lightweight flywheel.
I can see how such a system would really bolster engagement if you were out for a blast – although final judgement on that front will have to wait until we’ve driven the CLA.
There are perhaps a couple of points of improvement.
I’d like a little rumble through the steering wheel, or maybe even the dashboard, to give a greater sense of the underlying power here.
And there’s still a sense of digitisation about its sound signature – although it’s better in person than on camera. It reminds me of my first time trying a McPlant vegan burger: certainly enjoyable and close to the genuine article, but I’m not 100% sure that we’ve beaten the original just yet.
It would also be nice to start the CLA with the ‘engine’ activated. Starting in complete silence loses a bit of the theatre of stepping into a blue-blooded performance car, prodding the starter and relishing in the boom of combustion power that is so instructive of its intent.
Hear it for yourself by watching the video above.