This is the new
Mercedes-AMG A 45 4Matic+, which comes in standard and S guises, mirroring the
approach the company has taken with its larger V8-powered models. Under the bonnet, there’s a new 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder
engine dubbed the M139, and it replaces the M133 unit used for the previous
W176-based A 45. The engine is unique to the A 45, as the A 35 uses an uprated
version of the M260 (306 PS, 400 Nm) that is shared with the A 250.
The A 45 S 4Matic+ is the one that will draw in a
larger crowd, as it offers 421 PS at 6,750 rpm and 500 Nm of torque
from 5,000 rpm thanks to a higher charge pressure of 2.1 bar. An AMG exhaust
system with a controllable flap can be found on both versions. Performance-wise, the A 45 S is
the quickest in a zero to 100 km/h sprint, taking just 3.9 seconds to do so.
The normal A 45 is no slouch though, as it does the same feat only a tenth of a
second slower at 4.0 seconds. However, the S-model tops out at 270 km/h right
out of the factory, while the base model needs the optional AMG Driver‘s
Package to do the same as it is limited to 250 km/h in stock form.
The M139 is paired to an eight-speed AMG Speedshift
DCT 8G dual-clutch transmission, as well as an AMG Performance 4MATIC+ fully-variable
all-wheel drive system, whereby the latter comes with some “secret sauce”
called AMG Torque Control. Found in the rear axle differential, there are two electronically
controlled multi-disc clutches, each connected to a rear axle drive shaft. This
allows the engine power to be fully distributed between the front and rear
wheels, as well as selectively between the left and right rear wheels.
As such, the A 45 S, which gets the AMG Dynamic Plus
Package as standard (optional on the base model), comes with a dedicated Drift
mode. Selectable with Race mode engaged, it allows you to pull off spectacular
powerslides when activated, provided that the ESP is deactivated, the
transmission is in manual mode, and you know what you’re doing. Behind the wheels are 350 mm
brake discs and four-piston monobloc fixed calipers at the front, and 330 mm
discs with a single-piston floating calipers at the rear. The optional AMG
Dynamic Plus package (standard on the S-model) bumps this up to 360
mm/six-piston calipers front, and you can identify this by the red paint and
black AMG logo – normal brakes are painted grey with white AMG lettering.
In terms of styling, there’s plenty of aggression on
show here, starting with large air intakes on the jet-wing-profiled front
bumper. A Panamericana grille acts as a reminder that this is the range-topper
in the A-Class range, while flared wheel arches accomodate the wider front
track. At the rear, there’s a diffuser element in between the two round twin
tailpipes, with each outlet measuring 82 mm each on the base model, and 90 mm
on the S-model. The base car also gets smaller 18-inch light alloy wheels,
whereas a 19-inch set is used for the more powerful version.
If it still
looks a little too “tame” for your liking, there’s always the AMG Aerodynamic
package that adds on a front splitter and canards, more diffuser blades, rear
spoiler lips and a roof spoiler, all highlighted in high-gloss black. Different
wheel designs, an AMG Night package and Silver Chrome package are other
options.
Inside, you get a typical A-Class cabin, with the
Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment taking centre stage, albeit
with AMG-specific displays – Classic, Sport and Supersport. Various special
displays can also be called up if you’re interested to know how many g you
pulled in a corner, a stopwatch, temperatures, AMG Track Pace (telemetry
logging), and more.
Sport seats and an are complemented by black Artico
man-made leather and Dinamica microfibre upholstery, while lesser details like
red accents on the air vents and red seat belts can also be found. The S-model
takes things further with yellow highlights, including on the AMG Performance
steering wheel.
