What’s it like to drive?

If your point of comparison is other hot hatches, then with the notable exception of Audi’s slightly less powerful RS3, the AMG 45 S blows them all into the weeds.

As a starting point, the benchmark 0100kmh sprint in the A45 S takes just 3.9 secs. Ingear acceleration is no less impressive, but you must take care, as it is all too easy to very quickly end up travelling much faster than intended. According to MercedesBenz, the A45 S has