Automotive

Mercedes A45 AMG gets powerful refresh

View 32 Images
In addition to the power boost, the A45's engine peak torque is up 25 Nm to 475 Nm while shorter gear ratios help the car bolt out of the blocks harder than before
The Mercedes A45 AMG will now hit 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds
The A45 can be had with a mechanical locking front differential
The AMG's exhaust has been tuned to produce a rortier note
The 2.0-liter engine under the A45's hood has the highest specific output of any four cylinder in series production
AMG's firecracker has been retuned for better acceleration
The upgraded Mercedes A-Class - interior
At the opposite end of the A-Class spectrum is the BlueEfficiency model
The big wing on the A45 is optional
The rest of the range has been given some mild styling upgrades
Mercedes is claiming better economy and more power across the A-Class range
The funky diamond grille has carried over from the previous model
From here, it's hard to see what Mercedes has changed
The A-Class' styling upgrades bring it closer to the rest of the range
The upgraded Mercedes A-Class
The A45's 4MATIC system will provide it with prodigious grip
The Motorsports Edition on the A-Class draws on Mercedes F1 livery for inspiration
Oddly enough, the Motorsports Edition can't be had on the A45
The BlueEfficiency A-Class uses just 3.5 l/100 km of fuel
CO2 emissions are pinned at 89 g/km
The A-Class looks better as a hot-hatch than an eco car
The updated Mercedes A-Class
The BlueEffiency A-Class is diesel powered
Mercedes is chasing the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3 with its new A-Class
In addition to the power boost, the A45's engine peak torque is up 25 Nm to 475 Nm while shorter gear ratios help the car bolt out of the blocks harder than before
The Motorsports Edition A-Class is fitted with a number of aero upgrades
The Motorsports Edition will sell at a premium over the standard car
The A45 AMG now produces 280 kW
Inside, the A-Class cabin remains largely the same
The Motorsports Edition A-Class is fitted out with some colorful highlights
The A-Class' interior can be had in a number of colorful configurations
The BlueEfficiency's green credentials are constantly being thrown in your face inside
The BlueEfficiency's interior is designed to make the smug eco-warrior behind the wheel feel all warm inside
View gallery - 32 images

At what point does a hot hatch become a pint-sized sports car? The Mercedes A45 AMG was already blurring the line, but the engineers over at AMG's Affalterbach headquarters decided that the pint-sized turbo terrier needed more power. Thanks to an extra 15 kW (20 hp) from its 2.0-liter motor, the updated A45 AMG will now hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.2 seconds.

In addition to boosting the power to 280 kW, the A45's engine peak torque is up 25 Nm to 475 Nm while shorter gear ratios help the car bolt out of the blocks harder than before. Engineers have found the extra power by fitting a new valve assembly and tweaking the engine timing. Mercedes also says that changes have been made to the way the turbo operates, but maximum boost pressure remains set at 1.8 bar.

The A45 AMG now produces 280 kW

Thanks to AMG's changes, which should return better throttle response than that offered by the original A45, the car has also raised the game for anyone hoping to steal its crown for highest specific output from a four-cylinder engine, bumping it up to 141 kW (191 hp) per liter.

In spite of the extra punch, the A45's claimed fuel economy is unchanged at 6.9 l/100km (34 mpg). As before, the chances of actually achieving that figure are extremely slim, as anything but a feather-light touch on the throttle tends to make heavy drinkers of performance engines.

To make sure the car's stable handling isn't upset by the extra power and torque, Mercedes is now offering a mechanical locking differential on the front axle that works in tandem with the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system to drag the car out of low-speed corners and slingshot it off into the distance.

The upgraded Mercedes A-Class - interior

It might be the entry point into the AMG club, but the A45 hasn't missed out on the driver configuration tech from the C63 AMG and AMG GT. Owners can tailor the feel of their cars between Comfort, which defaults to high gears for improved economy, Sport and full-fat Sport Plus modes.

If these changes seem superfluous on what was one of the quickest hatchbacks around, it's worth bearing in mind the Audi RS3 has just dropped with a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of 4.3 seconds ... so that looks like a point for Mercedes.

The A45's upgrades are a part of a wider midlife refresh on the A-Class lineup, which includes the introduction of an ultra efficient A180 d BlueEfficieny model that sips just 3.5 l/100km (67 mpg) from its 1.5-liter engine. CO2 emissions are just 89 g/km.

At the opposite end of the A-Class spectrum is the BlueEfficiency model

If you're keen to show the world that you love F1, the new A Class will be available in a special Motorsport Edition, which is finished in a similar paintjob to that on the brand's championship-leading F1 cars. Oddly enough, however, the Motorsports Edition package can't be fitted to the car with the most motorsports connection in the range: the A45 AMG.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

View gallery - 32 images
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
0 comments
There are no comments. Be the first!