The Mercedes-AMG A45 S may be the
supreme mega hatch, but with a little help from tuners, it can easily be
challenged and even beaten into submission by some of its competitors, like the
BMW M140i.
This previous-gen 1-Series paid a visit
to Manhart, where it was re-baptized as the MH1 400. Don’t let the suffix trick
you, as it doesn’t have 400 horses running wild under the hood, but 435 PS and 644 Nm of torque.
What the tuner did to obtain these
numbers was add an ECU that changes the engine’s software and an in-house built
downpipe to the 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six. While we don’t have any
performance numbers, the stock car, which produces 340 PS and
500 Nm of torque, sprints to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds
– thus, with nearly 100 HP more, it’s safe to assume that the tuned Bimmer will
be noticeably faster.
Boosting the visual appeal while also
providing a deeper sound is the stainless steel sport muffler, with two 90 mm tailpipes that can be ordered in ceramic coating, with gold metallic
‘Manhart’ imprinted writing. The MH1 400 also sits closer to the ground thanks
to the KW coilover suspension and stopping power comes from the improved front
brakes with 6-piston calipers. Moreover, it rocks 19-inch concave wheels,
available in silk-matte black or polished diamond, and a carbon fiber front
splitter and rear diffuser that help improve aerodynamics.
In the interior, Manhart chose to add
carbon fiber trim to the steering wheel, gear selector and handbrake lever.
Additionally, there’s an extra display where the left central air vent would
normally sit, which provides extra data such as boost pressure, G-forces and
power and torque figures.
