Hyper hot hatch
There is a further set of displays and aids for track day adventures, a launch control system for superfast starts, and a drift mode that prioritises power delivery to the rear wheels.
As for the regular drive modes, they comprise ‘‘snow’’, normal, sport, sport plus and race, plus the mixandmatch individual mode. Normal mode was favoured for regular roundtown driving and openroad ambling. Rather than Sport or Sport +, I selected a programmed individual option at other times, with the engine in race mode, the steering in its most responsive dynamic mode, and the suspension and stability systems in sports settings. its top speed limited to a mere 273kmh.
Seriously stretching the legs of this monumentally quick machine on New Zealand roads is, then, a legal impossibility. Experiencing the remarkable way in which it gathers speed from a standing start, or when powering out of tight, slow bends, is eminently achievable though.
While marvelling at the rate the A45 S converts power and torque into velocity, you can also appreciate the smoothness with which it does so. Gearshifts are actually crisper when accelerating hard than when ambling, and the manner in which the allwheel system and special Michelin tyres optimise straightline grip is impressive, too.
Running with the engine in sport or full race mode, hard acceleration is accompanied by an aggressive mechanical snarl, while lifting off induces some pleasing crackle and pop from the exhaust. All of that said, the A45 S’s mighty 2litre turbo does need to hit 3000rpm before producing maximum torque, and its aural soundtrack, while first rate, isn’t necessarily bestinclass.
As suggested above taking corners, and the tighter the better, is an invaluable asset when seeking driving rewards in the A45 S on New Zealand roads.
Seemingly inexhaustible limits of lateral grip on dry tarmac are accompanied by superb composure, even when traversing savage midcorner bumps at speed. Yes, the A45 S will understeer, but only in my experience when intentionally and quite aggressively provoked. Otherwise, AMG’s ultimate hot hatch is a superbly balanced and confidenceinspiring machine, with wellweighted steering and simply brilliant brakes adding further lustre.
A few other points stand out from the ‘‘at the wheel’’ section of my test notes. Unsurprisingly, those low, fat, tyres generate a fair amount of coarsechip road noise. The vehicle’s standard cycle fuel consumption figure of 8.9l/100km may be achievable with care, of which I took none, and operating in ‘‘normal’’ drive mode, the A45 S manages a neat trick in being a vehicle with near supercar performance that is also eminently usable around town, on a daytoday basis.