Following the A-Class, the CLA is next to go under the knife of Mercedes-Benz AMG performance division - to be honed as a thoroughbred tarmac burner. Having recently arrived on our shores, this could just be the perfect blend of style and performance.

There should be no qualms about the CLA's ability to turn heads - more so this AMG version. Having been spruced up quite a bit, it now has the right muscles at the right spots, and is not shy to flaunt its potent performance underneath the hood.

Of course, AMG's works are more than skin deep. The CLA 45 sports a slew of technical trickeries - such as AMG-tuned 4MATIC all-wheel drive, twin-scroll turbocharger, AMG sports exhaust system with automatic exhaust flap control etc. All these helps to put the 360bhp and 450Nm of torque firmly onto the tarmac, in the usual AMG way with a characterful howl that should easily leave bystanders in awe.

To ensure the CLA gets the right dose of AMG DNA, its 2.0-litre engine is built the same way as its bigger brothers - according to the traditional 'one man, one engine' philosophy.

A seven speed twin-clutch DCT sports transmission helps despatch power to all four wheels, and achieve a century sprint timing of 4.6 seconds.

Likewise, the cabin of the CLA 45 AMG is no less dramatic than its sheet metal.

While we haven't got the chance to get up close with this street racer, we thought we might as well enjoy these lovely photos from the manufacturer.