Mercedes - AMG A45 S First Drive Review On NATRAX | Full Specifications
It is difficult to believe how so much power can be extracted from such a small engine but is actually 420 bhp plus in a car as compact as this! Read the full review below.
Speed is a thrill and while it is not advisable to indulge in this on public roads; a race track is perhaps the perfect place to quench your thirst for fast but safe driving. We did exactly that at the NATRAX facility where we maxed out the new Mercedes performance car.
The car in question is the A45 S AMG and it is the most powerful hatchback in India by a mile. It is basically a sports car in the form of a hatchback and has lots of power. Emphasis on the power bit as the engine is a hand-assembled 2.0l four-cylinder twin-scroll turbo with 421 bhp and 500 Nm.
It is difficult to believe how so much power can be extracted from such a small engine but is actually 420 bhp plus in a car as compact as this!
As a result, it does 0-100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds and a top speed of near 280 km/h (with the AMG performance package). We can verify the top speed bit as the NATRAX facility has a brilliant high-speed track where there was ample space to drive this Merc to its top speed. The speedo climbs so quickly that 250 plus speeds are very easy to attain and more so, the way the car just sat there at 278 km/h was similar to a sports car.
The high-speed stability and performance is impressive, to say the least. It is faster than some sports cars at this price bracket and that's saying something.
That said, you're not going to be doing 278 km/h every day and it's also how it feels at low speeds that matters too. Here, the A45 S is compact for starters and that's a good thing in terms of being usable. Then, the general body control is spot on (based on our limited time with the car) with a proper sports car feel yet it doesn't feel too stiff. That said, we just had a short time at the track so a proper real world review will reveal more but you can sense the suspension being tuned well. It sounds good too but isn't too loud either. Basically, you can drive it every day and not complain. The 8-speed DCT transmission is also able to cope with this engine with smooth shifts while there is 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive to put all that power cleanly.
There is plenty of tech and gadgets with the main intention of making you have fun. There is a dedicated drift mode, six driving modes, and even a race start function to launch the car in its most potent setting. Yes, in a hatchback! But the A45 S also does not look like any ordinary hatch with its AMG design details all over. The massive grille, wheels, and big air intakes do convey its sporty side while a rear spoiler and round exhausts further make it stand out. It may be small but the A45 S will get a lot of attention, especially in this yellow shade!
The interior is typically Mercedes with an AMG touch. There are AMG sport seats, double topstitching, AMG-specific screens, and even a heads-up display. Mercedes has also added in Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist. Do note that this isn't as roomy as the A-Class sedan hence do not go looking for space but then the A45 S is clearly for driving.
At Rs 79.5 lakh ex-showroom, this isn't your usual Mercedes and is meant for driving enthusiasts. The A45 S has lots and lots of power from that engine and that is what makes it worth it in terms of performance. For the price, you cannot get a faster car or a more raw performance-oriented car. It may seem expensive for a hatchback but the A45 S makes sense if you want a fast car with practicality for well under a crore.
What we like - engine, performance, looks, quality, usability
What we do not - Might seem a bit expensive over the cheaper A35 AMG sedan
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