![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RGTBUWVEOGF6KSZ2T27ENZMLOM.jpg?smart=true&auth=19fa98e37ec994bd1ea9d755b944cbe0fe568a7fa4c3b5671b44641390201bb3&width=400&height=225)
Crossing Madrid's El Atazar dam.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/V6C5TIR7WBNT455SXHLXOTY3HM.jpg?smart=true&auth=53ed0d86b3b02170e9eac136500d6ee39df7e5d1ce016c8d1b3398b8a9e9fb37&width=400&height=225)
A suitable backdrop for a CLA 45 S. All photos courtesy Daimler AG
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6PERHNOEGUBEDIDWECOX2PGDLQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=d883b42c3aef1275d9b90d91364f548ad2ed8e64c812e1b722d2e1e2412f9443&width=400&height=225)
A rare moment of quiet at Jarama.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AO4LMIFF7VBDN6V5ZDJZZ6JCAI.jpg?smart=true&auth=a4320e96a0949abea1ea9b1d389d521efc237760b720c7c36734e23d9b1a32ee&width=400&height=225)
A CLA 45 S driver negotiates the first bend at Jarama.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/36LRXQKE4AOXMD632D5FEHUJAM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f334b3b85eeb402d27ee3b62eddb6ba448b1be8266f6627dc75bddf6179ae4a5&width=400&height=225)
A Jupiter Red AMG in front of the Segovia aqueduct.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7UTYCK5ECDHQ5PYZM56F4YNRME.jpg?smart=true&auth=b30e2a47fe0799d423a2a692e855368f24a1e73b98eb976a3b8e82b94ce39661&width=400&height=225)
Sunset at Fuencarral-El Pardo.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LDBBRZRNLCU3MFX2IP3XCC42YU.jpg?smart=true&auth=e013fd4554ab364568aee3891fa4501009e1569c86468e4f3483bce1b3797e0a&width=400&height=225)
Getting some speed up heading into Fuencarral-El Pardo.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TPJK3MDM324XQZ3BERKTKYKQZ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=1de700fae4f8de5420ab12f3c16529d1338d14b51afe8c66bc4991d5457ea566&width=400&height=225)
It's all very pretty inside the cabin.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KPFVSF7VNTHOUZHXLLQUAB6JFQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=cb1727bc3ad032e7e01dc6b6e5d3e47feeb53b59094b35bb8a637b6868dc733d&width=400&height=225)
An A45 S gets a bit of tyre testing.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FNBTJJSM5IJMTPX5GLJFVBXT4M.jpg?smart=true&auth=107a79fe8074505e86ae90e04d71525ae3f5a7a42ea69afa6335beb1d0a158a9&width=400&height=225)
Negotiating medieval remains in Fuencarral-El Pardo.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W5IR4NX5OFSVQB3TOOAMH5JII4.jpg?smart=true&auth=eb30116df75caaef2b43b7cb8feb458d944b4736ccacf7edb4f6433573427e25&width=400&height=225)
A respite from the rigours of touring.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CNZUY3CSMUCOAPZ2YPBJ635BKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=ad2124e1a2748b9ff62961567821f66922744cba4d60c0b7acee8cacb6343b15&width=400&height=225)
Heading into the final corner at Jarama before the pits.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O7UBDVUSJ62UOCTK4A5P5SOOVE.jpg?smart=true&auth=9494590b8c29af1f208263737c42af6cde197915ae17d8ce08d843d96db643bf&width=400&height=225)
Yes, you can drift in the cars, too, sometimes on purpose.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2IG6J45NW44PWSVQ7VGM6UXTYA.jpg?smart=true&auth=40d856186403701865ff540dda86696041f1c603198715a2691bffb0ce7059cb&width=400&height=225)
You won't be unhappy if you have to travel around in here.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RD4IOILZ27T2WKFPZAJGZZFOVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=97a0dc0904ed68d75aaf05a77998bc71487a91104c54c05c7d661b58bd07fe47&width=400&height=225)
A CLA 45 S parked on the back streets in a Fuencarral-El Pardo village.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JVJ7WGZABEU5ASBHC3EC32GDCQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=0e6e08f50e2a105ea3bbb453eb8683848b2a86af5266789d1cb4cd877227169f&width=400&height=225)
Heading into the hills at speed.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QVUUFZLHGA7IUQG6RJLI7TKJO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=ce7bcdc177b8ca5ddaf7720d3dbb95255d4a14549b0e3c7257ae98102efa6d2b&width=400&height=225)
A driver in an A45 S takes a corner at Jarama at speed.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y7LYT2K3ZUEU5DTCFFNKPVUCDA.jpg?smart=true&auth=129b21facb708b73864cd7f70ab87f99103a8af870cbe7bb0d2e60ad5bca5096&width=400&height=225)
The new AMG at rest in Fuencarral-El Pardo.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SVN7KGUVGHYFCENIAXZBR5W3XE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d4d14310721338d465f74d1f023fc43b566dba220478f3a9ad07fbbaf61e6079&width=400&height=225)
Not an uncommon race track fixture, that bridge.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JMXX522LSCTV2Q3W6AWYGE7LLI.jpg?smart=true&auth=b32c47198738ab553ee6525b802d2ea70899abb8440303921a69ab682d74ad21&width=400&height=225)
There's a lot of information on the console, not all of it essential.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HCRM747B632EEFJN7J2IWU7O4Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=53b95b3801a087e3f401da842d8cbd2018dcf91a2fc7a62c4175862aed4df987&width=400&height=225)
Mountain roads provide a spectacular backdrop.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GSLRFFYTFLNWCBXYXSMHOT3CUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=a16cef193851ba1eb907f771f3a54269825aafd6e315ffd110af8fbf858f10c2&width=400&height=225)
Just in case you need all the minute details.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I7I3YVZARXTIYEL5KL3735IZJ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=a2346ebb0b1f870555b207cd92f0cd6f9a5868dc1911bfa6c5897244680208d3&width=400&height=225)
A CLA 45S en route out of Madrid.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KZYIU7EKQQ3HANSAUZZNO3YHVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=92619862dcda8b5607991e7e6663f5753773342427cec43b695e14bfc734d439&width=400&height=225)
Twin exhausts on the CLA 45 S.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PVT646QFOEKWFTIYUVXWAHA2NM.jpg?smart=true&auth=792e15bb38bdd2be7d8f447c302a32af95424c40278f6fbbccb29ca257e06047&width=400&height=225)
Heading into the hills at Fuencarral-El Pardo.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N7YUAMPBKX64HM7A7NQBPGH3DQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=c8c3d659ceb60dfcff450aa7110c9b203924508b84c8989765f20198441e4103&width=400&height=225)
Taking a corner at speed.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NS2BYI6ZDYSWV2YWHKG4LFERHU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5eb1ecb137bddd6d9bd8b1a181059b851fe01b2673bf1a0c398b88529c586eb1&width=400&height=225)
An A45 S parked in Fuencarral-El Pardo.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7UGPPK6JAPDN2B327NMHDH6LYE.jpg?smart=true&auth=abd52094d5ed493ea7c2a7a4e60b9d48f4d3261d0ca1fb5562a8b1ad5a96d7f7&width=400&height=225)
Pushing the car to its limits at Jarama.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RGTBUWVEOGF6KSZ2T27ENZMLOM.jpg?smart=true&auth=19fa98e37ec994bd1ea9d755b944cbe0fe568a7fa4c3b5671b44641390201bb3&width=400&height=225)
Crossing Madrid's El Atazar dam.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/V6C5TIR7WBNT455SXHLXOTY3HM.jpg?smart=true&auth=53ed0d86b3b02170e9eac136500d6ee39df7e5d1ce016c8d1b3398b8a9e9fb37&width=400&height=225)
A suitable backdrop for a CLA 45 S. All photos courtesy Daimler AG
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6PERHNOEGUBEDIDWECOX2PGDLQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=d883b42c3aef1275d9b90d91364f548ad2ed8e64c812e1b722d2e1e2412f9443&width=400&height=225)
A rare moment of quiet at Jarama.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AO4LMIFF7VBDN6V5ZDJZZ6JCAI.jpg?smart=true&auth=a4320e96a0949abea1ea9b1d389d521efc237760b720c7c36734e23d9b1a32ee&width=400&height=225)
A CLA 45 S driver negotiates the first bend at Jarama.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/36LRXQKE4AOXMD632D5FEHUJAM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f334b3b85eeb402d27ee3b62eddb6ba448b1be8266f6627dc75bddf6179ae4a5&width=400&height=225)
A Jupiter Red AMG in front of the Segovia aqueduct.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7UTYCK5ECDHQ5PYZM56F4YNRME.jpg?smart=true&auth=b30e2a47fe0799d423a2a692e855368f24a1e73b98eb976a3b8e82b94ce39661&width=400&height=225)
Sunset at Fuencarral-El Pardo.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LDBBRZRNLCU3MFX2IP3XCC42YU.jpg?smart=true&auth=e013fd4554ab364568aee3891fa4501009e1569c86468e4f3483bce1b3797e0a&width=400&height=225)
Getting some speed up heading into Fuencarral-El Pardo.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TPJK3MDM324XQZ3BERKTKYKQZ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=1de700fae4f8de5420ab12f3c16529d1338d14b51afe8c66bc4991d5457ea566&width=400&height=225)
It's all very pretty inside the cabin.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KPFVSF7VNTHOUZHXLLQUAB6JFQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=cb1727bc3ad032e7e01dc6b6e5d3e47feeb53b59094b35bb8a637b6868dc733d&width=400&height=225)
An A45 S gets a bit of tyre testing.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FNBTJJSM5IJMTPX5GLJFVBXT4M.jpg?smart=true&auth=107a79fe8074505e86ae90e04d71525ae3f5a7a42ea69afa6335beb1d0a158a9&width=400&height=225)
Negotiating medieval remains in Fuencarral-El Pardo.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W5IR4NX5OFSVQB3TOOAMH5JII4.jpg?smart=true&auth=eb30116df75caaef2b43b7cb8feb458d944b4736ccacf7edb4f6433573427e25&width=400&height=225)
A respite from the rigours of touring.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CNZUY3CSMUCOAPZ2YPBJ635BKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=ad2124e1a2748b9ff62961567821f66922744cba4d60c0b7acee8cacb6343b15&width=400&height=225)
Heading into the final corner at Jarama before the pits.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O7UBDVUSJ62UOCTK4A5P5SOOVE.jpg?smart=true&auth=9494590b8c29af1f208263737c42af6cde197915ae17d8ce08d843d96db643bf&width=400&height=225)
Yes, you can drift in the cars, too, sometimes on purpose.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2IG6J45NW44PWSVQ7VGM6UXTYA.jpg?smart=true&auth=40d856186403701865ff540dda86696041f1c603198715a2691bffb0ce7059cb&width=400&height=225)
You won't be unhappy if you have to travel around in here.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RD4IOILZ27T2WKFPZAJGZZFOVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=97a0dc0904ed68d75aaf05a77998bc71487a91104c54c05c7d661b58bd07fe47&width=400&height=225)
A CLA 45 S parked on the back streets in a Fuencarral-El Pardo village.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JVJ7WGZABEU5ASBHC3EC32GDCQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=0e6e08f50e2a105ea3bbb453eb8683848b2a86af5266789d1cb4cd877227169f&width=400&height=225)
Heading into the hills at speed.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QVUUFZLHGA7IUQG6RJLI7TKJO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=ce7bcdc177b8ca5ddaf7720d3dbb95255d4a14549b0e3c7257ae98102efa6d2b&width=400&height=225)
A driver in an A45 S takes a corner at Jarama at speed.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y7LYT2K3ZUEU5DTCFFNKPVUCDA.jpg?smart=true&auth=129b21facb708b73864cd7f70ab87f99103a8af870cbe7bb0d2e60ad5bca5096&width=400&height=225)
The new AMG at rest in Fuencarral-El Pardo.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SVN7KGUVGHYFCENIAXZBR5W3XE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d4d14310721338d465f74d1f023fc43b566dba220478f3a9ad07fbbaf61e6079&width=400&height=225)
Not an uncommon race track fixture, that bridge.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JMXX522LSCTV2Q3W6AWYGE7LLI.jpg?smart=true&auth=b32c47198738ab553ee6525b802d2ea70899abb8440303921a69ab682d74ad21&width=400&height=225)
There's a lot of information on the console, not all of it essential.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HCRM747B632EEFJN7J2IWU7O4Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=53b95b3801a087e3f401da842d8cbd2018dcf91a2fc7a62c4175862aed4df987&width=400&height=225)
Mountain roads provide a spectacular backdrop.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GSLRFFYTFLNWCBXYXSMHOT3CUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=a16cef193851ba1eb907f771f3a54269825aafd6e315ffd110af8fbf858f10c2&width=400&height=225)
Just in case you need all the minute details.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I7I3YVZARXTIYEL5KL3735IZJ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=a2346ebb0b1f870555b207cd92f0cd6f9a5868dc1911bfa6c5897244680208d3&width=400&height=225)
A CLA 45S en route out of Madrid.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KZYIU7EKQQ3HANSAUZZNO3YHVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=92619862dcda8b5607991e7e6663f5753773342427cec43b695e14bfc734d439&width=400&height=225)
Twin exhausts on the CLA 45 S.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PVT646QFOEKWFTIYUVXWAHA2NM.jpg?smart=true&auth=792e15bb38bdd2be7d8f447c302a32af95424c40278f6fbbccb29ca257e06047&width=400&height=225)
Heading into the hills at Fuencarral-El Pardo.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N7YUAMPBKX64HM7A7NQBPGH3DQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=c8c3d659ceb60dfcff450aa7110c9b203924508b84c8989765f20198441e4103&width=400&height=225)
Taking a corner at speed.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NS2BYI6ZDYSWV2YWHKG4LFERHU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5eb1ecb137bddd6d9bd8b1a181059b851fe01b2673bf1a0c398b88529c586eb1&width=400&height=225)
An A45 S parked in Fuencarral-El Pardo.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7UGPPK6JAPDN2B327NMHDH6LYE.jpg?smart=true&auth=abd52094d5ed493ea7c2a7a4e60b9d48f4d3261d0ca1fb5562a8b1ad5a96d7f7&width=400&height=225)
Pushing the car to its limits at Jarama.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RGTBUWVEOGF6KSZ2T27ENZMLOM.jpg?smart=true&auth=19fa98e37ec994bd1ea9d755b944cbe0fe568a7fa4c3b5671b44641390201bb3&width=400&height=225)
Crossing Madrid's El Atazar dam.
Little wonders: Mercedes's new AMG tearaways aren't held back by smaller engines
The A45 S and CLA 45 S growl and rip up the road like furious marmots, but, now, all that power is coming from a positively moderate source
![Simon Wilgress-Pipe](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F3c217461-0269-46a0-8348-c5411e06b532.png?smart=true&auth=82f2492065aa29600d25c5089ee0800e9f6e1f225e19e9b80eed23e86de04588&width=70&height=70)
Simon Wilgress-Pipe
12 August, 2019
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic