Mercedes has thrown the wraps off the A 45 AMG ahead of its global premiere at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The hot-hatch marks the first time Mercedes’ performance division has released a vehicle in the compact class in its 45-year history. And its first effort doesn’t pull many punches, with a 2.0-liter engine that Mercedes touts as the most powerful series production four-cylinder engine in the world.
Said turbocharged engine boasts a maximum output of 265 kW (360 hp) and up to 450 Nm of torque, giving the unit a power density of 133 kW (181 hp) that Mercedes says outstrips even the most powerful super sports cars. Despite this, the engine complies with the EU6 emissions standards, with CO2 emissions of 161-165 g/km and fuel consumption figures of 6.9 liters per 100 km (34 mpg) in NEDC combined mode.
The engine is mated to AMG’s seven-speed SpeedShift dual-clutch transmission, which transfers power to the vehicle’s 4Matic all-wheel-drive system that comes as standard. What this adds up to is a zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) time of 4.6 seconds, on the way to the electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).
The A 45 AMG also sports what Mercedes calls a “Momentary M mode,” which allows the driver to activate manual mode while in “C” (Controlled Efficiency) and “S” (Sport) modes by pressing the up or down shift paddle once. S and M modes promise shift times similar to those of the SLS AMG GT super sports car, while C mode puts comfort and fuel efficiency at the fore and activates the ECO start/stop function.
Mercedes promises a “fascinating, full engine sound” from the vehicle’s AMG sports exhaust system that features large pipe cross-sections and an automatically controlled exhaust flap and is also found on its bigger brother, the SLK55 AMG. If that doesn’t satisfy, an “even more emotional and striking engine sound” can be had with the optional AMG Performance exhaust system.
Various option packages are also available, adding everything from a rear aerofoil and larger front splitter, to privacy glass and AMG wheel bolt covers.
Just as Mercedes' introduction of the new A Class at last year's Geneva Motor Show was an attempt to attract a new demographic to the three-pointed star fold, the A 45 AMG is its performance division's attempt to appeal to buyers who are younger than AMG's traditional clientele – and when we say younger, we mean those in the 30 to mid-40 age bracket.
The A 45 AMG is set to go on sale on April 8, 2013, at a price yet to be announced. It will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, which starts on March 5.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
Exterior. Rear end is nicely proportioned, but that rear side valence looks like it might rip off the first time in the grass on a turn. Looks like it might be hard backing up. Side view has a plethora of confusing design elements, eventually looking like someone grafted a nice MB front on to a over-simplified side of a new Hyunda Sonata. Front is sharp except where they had to blend the 3/4 view into the amateurish side swoops. Maybe hubcap-sized front emblem can be removable so it can be worn with a giant chain necklace. Stop the nonsense, already.
Stop in Milan, Italy and have them "tidy up" and finish the design process before you start producing it.
Richard
I don't know why they couldn't soften the ride of the lesser models but have this version (and maybe a lesser sport version) for those who want a tarted up version for reasons of image.
Meanwhile, rumor suggests this car won't be sold stateside - a real shame as there are plenty of us who enjoy driving "sleeper" sport cars. My guess, though, is when this model goes on sale, it'll be priced closer to the Alfa 4C than the old fun to drive MB C230. As an autocrosser and occasional track rat, I love driving a well designed and implemented relatively stock auto. And this one looks like a lot of fun!
Actually MB isn't available to me- I don't have that kind of money! But the wider point is that many cars have a crashingly poor ride quality these days- even car makers like Citroen who traditionally made soft riding cars. Personally, I don't care for an overly soft ride, but rather a good compromise between handling and suppleness- the European Ford Focus Mk1 (which I used to own) was superb on that score. The rougher and more 'techical' the road surface and camber got, the twistier it got, the better it performed. Ford of Europe are superb when it comes to chassis engineering.
And the AMG A Class is hardly a 'sleeper'- it shouts 'look at me- I'm a high performance car' a little too loudly to be able to take anyone by surprise.