2014 ET ZigWheels Award: Sports car of the Year Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG

This award is never an easy one to give as there was something about every sportscar in 2014 that made them stand out. The F-Type Coupe for its styling, the BMW M3 and M4 for being outrageously quick for an M car or the Lamborghini Huracan for being the only properly mental supercar in the group. Sadly Jaguar and Lamborghini could not provide the cars for the jury to sample. But clearly Mercedes was pretty confident that its usable range of AMGs had a good chance.  And it was there in full force.  And rightly so, because even though the Jaguar might be louder and faster and the Lamborhini madder and more desirable, the CLA AMG's virtues are easier to exploit given our driving environment.  This is something the jury appreciated and awarded.

We also like to embrace technology and are all in for lightweight downsized powerplants. Here the 2.0-litre twin turbo four cylinder mill is like none other. The CLA 45 AMG and its compact SUV twin, the GLA 45 AMG have the highest output 4-cylinder production engine there is on the planet that can catapult them in a 0-100kmph sprint in about 4.5 seconds. Now between the AMGs, it was a tough call but the CLA 45 AMG with its attractive design was the more deserving winner as a Sports car. 

The CLA 45 AMG is also quite practical, four doors, four seats and a decently sized boot. It can then perform the sedan role quite well too. But when that light turns green and you slam your right foot, the smile it will paste on your face is the reason why it is our Sports Car of the Year. Practical and recreational.