2nd MERCEDES-AMG A45
Engine upgrade gives premium performance hatch stronger pace, but it’s just too expensive to be a contender here
POWER and speed were never problems in the previous version of Mercedes-amg’s performance hatch, but a hike in engine output from 355bhp to 376bhp for this revised A 45 model means it’s got even faster. However, coaxing more power than a Porsche 911 delivers from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo does equate to some lag.
The A 45’s motor stirs at around 1,750rpm and only really wakes up as the rev needle sweeps through to 2,000rpm. By 2, 250rpm, where the full 475Nm of torque hits, the A-class’s engine feels rampant. This shove is sustained to 5,000rpm, with peak power coming in 1,000rpm later.
Compared with the Focus’s flatter-feeling top end, the A 45’s unit rushes to the red line with a keenness that’s unusual for a turbocharged engine. Select Race mode, pull the right shift paddle, and with the £510 AMG Performance exhaust switched on, the A 45 emits an almighty bang as it moves up through the gears.
The shifts are quick on the way up, but coming down the gears the ECU’S slow throttle blip can make the changes feel laboured. Plus, that loud exhaust gives a booming drone on the overrun. However, it offers plenty of theatre with launch control engaged, as the AMG sounds like a rally car sat against its rev limiter. Lift off the brake and the A 45 will punch its way from 0-60mph in an impressive 4.3 seconds, as our test figures show.
As with the Focus, our performance testing was conducted in less than optimum weather conditions; we’d expect both cars to be closer to their official times in the dry (Mercedes claims 0-62mph in 4. 2 seconds).
One option we’d definitely choose is the £1,395 AMG Dynamic Plus package. While it seems expensive, the adaptive suspension dampers make the car much more usable every day.
Like the Focus, the A-class borders on being too firm for most UK surfaces in the sportier setting, while the balance between body control and ride comfort is better for road use in the softer mode.
However, it still thumps over some bumps, and the speed-sensitive steering doesn’t offer as much feedback as the Ford’s purer, fixed-ratio set-up.
The occasionally crashy damping impacts ride quality a little, although the bucket seats do offer lots of support and decent comfort.
In other respects, the A 45 is more usable than the RS, as its larger boot, easier manoeuvrability and better driving position combine to make it more flexible. You just expect better interior quality for the price, with an outdated centre console design and some questionable materials.