Cape Town – The original Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG kicked the compact hot-hatch segment into the next level with its menacing 265 kW all-wheel drive configuration that sprouted performance numbers we thought were only possible in the higher-tier sportscar segment. With a lot of the manufacturers playing catch up to this accomplishment (Audi RS3, BMW M2, Ford Focus RS), Mercedes-AMG has added even more juice to its product.
Outside
Not much has changed on the exterior side of things with the A45. New front and rear bumpers, together with revised intakes and exhaust tips, have been included to help the smallest performance car better fit in with the AMG lineup. New LED high-performance head and taillamps are included to improve visibility and safety, and, for the Edition 1 models, the front splitter and rear airfoil match the ones found on the previous edition.
Inside
More changes have been made to the interior, but they are subtle. First thing to notice is the addition of the updated multi-function steering wheel and the tube-framed gauge cluster found on most AMG models. A Dynamic Select control switch has been added to the centre console beneath the gear selector. The radio face has lost some of its piano black trimming and the vehicle setting buttons below this have been given a steel finish. In addition to this, the climate controls also receive an LED display. Electronic seat controls are now mounted to the door .
The tech
The most powerful production four-cylinder engine has been pushed even further to 280 kW and 475 N.m of torque. This is 15 kW and 25 N.m more than the previous phase and with it, AMG claims that it will launch the A45 from 0-100 km/h in 4,2 seconds. AMG is also adamant that, despite the increase in power, the A45 retains its fuel consumption figure of 6,9 L/100 km.
More importantly, however, is the implementation of a front-locking differential to the 4MATIC system, which controls this power into corners and works in conjunction with the revised 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission, as well as Dynamic Select that allows drivers to tailor the dynamics of the A45. Lastly, a performance exhaust system has been fitted that provide an enhanced sound at higher revs through active flaps.
The drive
It doesn’t take long for you to realise why the A45 is such a marvel. The rate of acceleration and lack of turbo lag is immediately noticeable and even more so through corners. What’s more, the A45 can be driven fast with more ease thanks to its new differential and manages the 280 kW without breaking a sweat. Once you master the speeds it can achieve, it makes for a toy that you would never grow tired of. Together with the speed and the sound, the A45 creates an intense experience around a racetrack … but unfortunately this feeling doesn’t translate perfectly to the road.
Thanks to its adaptive suspension, the A45 is slightly more comfortable, but it’s still jittery and doesn’t gracefully deal with bumpy roads. In the process, it occasionally becomes ragged and struggles to put down power. The NVH issues we previously reported on in the A-Class range also remain a problem, with wind noise especially bothersome at higher speeds. That said, if you can live with these flaws, the A45 poses itself as an acceptable daily drive. Just ignore the fuel-consumption readout, which can quickly skyrocket into double-digit figures. The exhaust tone also quietens down when comfort mode is selected.
Summary
Mercedes-AMG appears to have done enough to keep the A45 at the top of the hot-hatch game. Even with an extra cylinder and 500 cm3, the more costly Audi RS3 would struggle to keep up in a mountain pass. Conversely, the Audi is more comfortable in daily conditions and its five-cylinder engine exhibits a more characterful note. But the A45 is closer in concept to a pure hot hatch.
