There's no denying it – the V8 era is fading in Affalterbach. Recent speculation about the return of the V8 for the C63 and E63 has been definitively quashed by Mercedes-AMG's CEO.

This leaves only the top-tier models like the Mercedes-AMG SL, the massive S63, or the crowd-favourite G-Wagen with V8 options, and even these incorporate some form of electrification, be it mild hybrid or plug-in hybrid. The latter is a recipe for excess weight, as seen in the S63 E Performance’s 2.5 tonne kerb weight.

No matter how adeptly a carmaker tries to conceal a car's weight – with oodles of power, reactive steering, or a world class chassis – physics cannot be defied. The mass inevitably reveals itself, often in these two situations - heavy braking and tight consecutive turns. And that takes a toll on handling.

You see, while handling isn’t the be-all and end-all criteria when it comes to buying a car in Malaysia, it's certainly beneficial given our roads. Whether in Klang Valley or more rural areas, the roads are filled with bends, sweepers, and sharp turns, even on highways, rarely offering long, straight stretches.

It’s a different story in countries like the US, where roads are often wide and cities are designed in a grid pattern, making driving more straightforward with fewer demands on handling. But in Malaysia, a car with good handling is a definite advantage.

Putting handling aside, AMGs have always been about their fire breathing heart, the German hot rod experience. Electrification on AMGs is like the Deadpool from X-Men Origins with his mouth sealed – a vicious killer but with zero personality, robbed of the foul-mouthed Deadpool that everyone loves.

The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S is, at this point, one of the last pure-bred combustion engine AMG models. As you have read from the title, I think it’s the perfect AMG for Malaysia.

For starters, it’s the perfect size. Not too big on the outside (roughly the size of the current-generation Honda Civic), not too small that it’s cramped inside either. Being right-sized helps manoeuvrability especially in tight parking areas, and your sphincters can relax on two-lane roads when a massive lorry is coming from the opposite direction.

Next up, it has a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine rather than the 4.0-litre V8. Yes, V8s are lovely engines and I still miss my time with the E63 because of it, but a 2.0-litre 4-pot is a more viable daily driver. It’s not too thirsty when you’re driving like a sane person and the RM 375 annual road tax is much more manageable.

While some may argue that if you can afford an AMG, fuel and road tax should be no concern, the reality is that money is money regardless of how much you have - no one likes to spend more than they have to.

But really, the strongest argument for the CLA 45 S is that it’s a looker and it’s such a capable machine.

This generation of the CLA succeeds where the last one fell short at resembling a mini Mercedes-Benz CLS, and its frameless doors add a touch of exotic appeal. It does catch the eye of pedestrians, who are intrigued by its sleek, low-slung design. Friends and family have also responded positively to its looks.

Inside, the CLA 45 S shares similarities with the A45 S but feels more cocooned due to the higher window line and lower seating position. The Performance seats are excellent, the ambient lighting is vibrant, and the panoramic sunroof adds a sense of airiness. Not forgetting that the boot is massive.

But not all is well with the interior - the deletion of the touchpad means you’d have to control everything via the touchscreen or the capacitive buttons on the steering wheels. I’ve said this a million times about Mercedes’ capacitive buttons – they are fiddly to use and lack true tactile feeling. Also, space at the rear isn’t great due to the constraints in packaging.

This particular test unit suffers from rattles coming from the climate control panel and the dome light area. This can be an isolated case, which I hope it is, because spending half million Ringgit for a rattly interior is unacceptable.

Those aside, there’s little else I would fault the CLA 45 S for. Just like in the A45 S, the engine pulls with such energy and excitement, never running out of breath as you approach red line and rewards pushing into the upper end of the rev range, unlike typical turbocharged engines.

However, they differ slightly in the bends. The CLA 45 S feels more mature and hunkered down, while the A45 S has a bit more body roll and the tyres feel slightly more on their tiptoes. Most drivers will find the CLA 45 S to be a more stable car, inspiring confidence in corners.

It defaults to slight understeer and doesn't naturally rotate its rear for added agility unless you apply the throttle, which then shifts power to the outside wheels to assist in rotation. No matter how you drive, you'll be fast - thanks to the car's inherent capabilities.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that—a car shouldn't be blamed for being competent. If it enhances the driver's enjoyment, who cares if it's the car doing most of the work? Ultimately, your happiness is what matters. If you want a car that looks sleek, offers theatrics and drama, and makes you feel like a hero when driving, I believe the CLA 45 S will make you happy.

Also read: Mercedes-Benz stops development of MB.EA large BEV platform amid slumping sales and price wars