There are special editions, and then there are farewell special editions. The Mercedes-AMG CLA45 S Final Edition belongs firmly in the second category — a deliberately rare, exquisitely detailed swansong to one of the most capable and exciting compact performance saloons ever sold in South Africa. With only 15 units allocated to Mzansi, this is about as exclusive as it gets at this price point. Here’s everything you need to know.
Why Does the Final Edition Exist?
The answer lies in what’s coming next. With the third-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA expected to arrive in South Africa within the next few months, Mercedes-Benz SA has launched the CLA45 S Final Edition as a swansong to the high-performance version of the second-generation model
In other words, the clock is ticking on the current CLA45 S. Rather than quietly letting it fade from showrooms, AMG has given it a proper send-off — complete with exclusive paint, bespoke interior detailing, and the kind of collector appeal that makes limited-run models like this appreciate in value over time.
For performance car enthusiasts who’ve missed the boat on the Final Edition allocation, auto24.co.za is worth checking for pre-owned AMG listings — including CLA45 S models, C63 derivatives, and other performance Mercedes-AMG vehicles that occasionally appear in the used market at compelling prices.
Just How Rare Is It in South Africa?
Extremely. Mercedes-Benz SA says it has been allocated just 15 units of this special variant. To put that in perspective, that’s fewer units than most dealerships sell of a mainstream model in a single weekend. Fifteen cars for the entire country means this is a genuine collector’s piece — the kind of vehicle that will likely never be seen in large numbers at any track day or enthusiast gathering.
If you’re serious about securing one, the time to act is now. At this allocation level, units won’t last long once the calls start coming in.
What Does It Cost?
Each example of the CLA45 S Final Edition set aside for South Africa — sporting a “Night Black” paint job as standard — has a base price of R1 721 234, including VAT and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan. That represents a R139 727 premium over the standard version, which last retailed from R1 581 507.
Is the premium justified? Given the exclusivity, the standard-fit equipment upgrades, and the collector nature of the model, most performance car enthusiasts would argue yes.
What Makes It Visually Distinct?
Exterior: Dark, Purposeful, Unmistakable
The Final Edition’s exterior package is built around a darkened, aggressive aesthetic that suits the car’s character perfectly. The Final Edition features a standard “Night Black” paint finish with “45 S” door decals and AMG mirror-cap logos. It also includes matte-black 19-inch forged wheels and the AMG Night Package, along with a silver-chrome AMG fuel cap.
The combination of Night Black paint with matte-black wheels and blacked-out trim creates a cohesive, sinister look that makes the standard CLA45 S — already an attractive car — look almost understated by comparison.
Interior: Yellow Stitching and Collector Details
Step inside and the Final Edition treatment continues in thoughtful, premium fashion. The Mercedes-AMG CLA45 S Final Edition is fitted with AMG Performance seats upholstered in a combination of “Artico” synthetic leather and black microfibre, with yellow stitching on the seats, door panelling and instrument panel, along with embroidered “45 S” emblems in yellow on the front headrests.
A “45 S Final Edition” emblem on the centre console is also included, while the AMG Performance steering wheel — trimmed in Nappa leather and microfibre — likewise comes with yellow stitching. The door-sill panels feature an AMG pattern design in black, illuminating the “AMG” logo in yellow, and a set of AMG floor mats with “45 S” lettering and decorative stitching complete the interior upgrades.
It’s a cohesive, well-considered cabin package that balances sportiness with a sense of occasion — exactly what a farewell special edition should deliver.
The Engine: A Hand-Built Masterpiece
Here’s where the CLA45 S has always set itself apart from the competition, and the Final Edition changes nothing under the bonnet. The AMG 2.0-litre turbocharged engine produces 310 kW (416 hp) and 500 Nm, enabling acceleration from 0–100 kph in just 4.0 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 270 kph. The engine is assembled entirely by one employee at the Affalterbach engine factory according to the “one man, one engine” principle.
That last point deserves emphasis. In an era of increasingly automated manufacturing, AMG still hand-builds every one of these engines individually. Each unit carries a plaque bearing the signature of the engineer who assembled it — a detail that elevates the ownership experience well beyond what the price tag might suggest.
Power reaches all four wheels through an 8-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT dual-clutch transmission, complete with launch control for maximum off-the-line performance.
Car care tip: High-performance turbocharged engines like the AMG 2.0T thrive on quality synthetic oil and strict service intervals. Given the thermal loads these motors experience during spirited driving, consider shortening your oil change intervals to 10 000 km rather than waiting for the maximum service interval — particularly if you use the car on track or enjoy regular hard acceleration runs.
Performance Figures Worth Celebrating
To appreciate just how remarkable these outputs are, consider that this 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine produces more power per litre than almost any other production engine on the planet. 310 kW from two litres of displacement — with a single turbocharger — is a genuine engineering achievement, and one that AMG’s Affalterbach team spent years perfecting.
The 4WD system — badged AMG 4Matic+ — intelligently distributes torque between the front and rear axles, providing the traction needed to deploy all 500 Nm without drama while also offering a rear-biased mode for drivers who enjoy a more playful dynamic balance.
Car care tip: The AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT dual-clutch gearbox performs best when the transmission fluid is changed at or before the manufacturer’s recommended intervals. Unlike traditional automatic gearboxes, DCT units can suffer accelerated wear if fluid degradation is ignored — especially on vehicles used enthusiastically. Check with your Mercedes-Benz dealer for the correct service schedule.
For comprehensive road tests, performance comparisons, and ownership insights on performance vehicles in the South African market, imotonews.co.za covers the local automotive scene in depth — including AMG models, hot hatches, and everything in between.
How Does It Compare to the Outgoing and Incoming Models?
The second-generation CLA45 S has been on sale in South Africa since around 2020, and it has consistently stood as one of the benchmark compact performance saloons available locally — trading blows with the likes of the Audi RS3 Sedan and BMW M2 in the hearts of driving enthusiasts.
The incoming third-generation CLA will be a very different car — reportedly available as both a petrol and a fully electric model. For drivers interested in exploring what the electric version of this next chapter looks like, EV24.africa offers import options for electric vehicles, expanding the choices available to South African performance car buyers who want to explore what electrified performance feels like ahead of local launches.
Is It Worth Buying?
For the right buyer — one who values exclusivity, hand-crafted performance engineering, and the emotional significance of a definitive farewell edition — the CLA45 S Final Edition is a compelling proposition. Fifteen units in a country of 60 million people means you’ll be part of an extraordinarily small ownership club.
The R1 721 234 asking price is serious money, but it includes a full maintenance plan, and the standard AMG warranty provides the kind of aftersales confidence that collectors and daily drivers alike appreciate.
What it ultimately represents is something rare in the modern automotive world: a manufacturer acknowledging the end of an era with genuine care and attention, rather than simply allowing a model to quietly disappear. The Final Edition is the CLA45 S dressed in its finest for one last bow — and it deserves to be remembered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many CLA45 S Final Edition units are available in South Africa? A: Only 15 units have been allocated to the local market, making it one of the most exclusive limited-edition AMG models ever offered in Mzansi.
Q: What colour does the Final Edition come in as standard? A: All South African units are finished in “Night Black” as standard, complemented by the AMG Night Package with matte-black 19-inch forged wheels.
Q: Are there any mechanical changes compared to the standard CLA45 S? A: No — the Final Edition retains the same hand-built 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 310 kW and 500 Nm, paired with the 8-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT and AMG 4Matic+ all-wheel drive.
Q: What is the price and what does it include? A: The CLA45 S Final Edition is priced at R1 721 234 in South Africa, including VAT and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
Q: Why is this called the “Final Edition”? A: It marks the end of production for the second-generation CLA45 S, ahead of the arrival of the all-new third-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA in South Africa.
