Review: Mercedes-AMG A45 S 4MATIC+ – Over-powered, over-priced, but still overly fun!

As it was, the W176-based Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG, the first proper hot hatch to bear Mercedes-Benz’s infamous three-lettered performance badge, set new standards as far as hatchbacks went. Not only did it blow comparable performance hatchbacks out of the water with ease, it was also perhaps the first of its kind that proved it could take the fight up against pure sportscars that’s double or triple in price.

Surely, creating a follow-up to that is a tall order, but the W177-based Mercedes-AMG A45 S 4MATIC+ featured here is perhaps a testament to AMG and its knack for meeting such demands. Having spanked it well over a recent weekend, it’s safe to say this ‘super-hatch’ has taken things up a notch in every measurable way, proving once more that performance isn’t exclusive to pure sportscars.

If you seek a performance hatchback with nearly unrivalled performance that came with all the styling, plush luxuries, and prestige associated with the famed three-point star, then pay attention to what we’ve got to say about this manic super-hatch of sorts…

OVERVIEW

In terms of styling, the W177-based A45 S sees Mercedes-AMG somewhat toning things down a little, trading its W176-based predecessor’s somewhat boy-racer looks and stance for a more subtle and stealthty approach instead.

'Panamericana' grille design sets this AMG-built hatch apart from the regular A-Class it underpins.

Other notable AMG-specific exterior traits include the aerodynamic bits, wheels, brakes, and tailpipes.

Nevertheless, it still signals its aggression thanks to bits like the ‘Panamericana’ front grille, aerodynamic canards flanking each side of the front bumper plus rear spoiler mounted atop of the rear hatch, rear diffuser with quad exhaust tips, as well as the two-tone 19-inch AMG alloy wheels and red-painted brake calipers. Effectively, these are what sets this AMG-built super-hatch from the on-set from the regular A-Class it underpins.

Apart from these AMG-specific additions and tweaks, much of what’s seen in the regular A-Class remains, which isn’t a bad thing entirely, and the same can be said as we climb aboard into this super-hatch’s cabin.

ON THE INSIDE

Like the exterior, the cabin replicates the same formula here by retaining much of the base A-Class’s goodies and basic design. We’ll be brief here and point out key bits like the dual infotainment and instrument display screen panel mounted in the dash – a typical layout in most current Mercedes-Benz models – as well as the plush and high quality brush aluminium and gloss black-finished trims present.

Interactive AMG-specific performance displays are are unique only to the A45 S.

Racy Alcantara/Leather covers the seats and steering wheel get matched with red seatbelts and pipe-stitching.

Things only get serious once you soak up the AMG-specific bits primed in the cabin like the pair of electronically adjustable semi-bucket sports seats up front plus the AMG sports steering wheel wrapped in a combination of plush leather and racy Alcantara, not forgetting the red-coloured pipe-stitching in both, as well as the seatbelts and AMG-specific digital display modes in the aforementioned screens.

Like the standard A-Class, central infotainment touchscreen offers Apple Car Play, navigation, as well as connected functions including the MBUX or 'Hey Mercedes...' voice command.

Wireless charging pad aside, other novel bits present include multi-colour ambient cabin lighting and head-up display (HUD).

These bits aside, this is still very much the practical and decently spacious A-Class hatch’s cabin that we’re familiar with which, again, isn’t bad news. Certainly, conveniences and tech like the like wireless charging pad, Apple Car Play connectivity, and Mercedes-Benz’s novel MBUX voice command and connectivity functions present, all bode well in making this a very liveable car on the daily.

Things only start feeling racy once you thumb the start button and get going…

DRIVING

Once started, this super-hatch’s aggression becomes evidently clear thanks to the bass-rich soundtrack emanating from its sports exhaust. Ever tightening new EU emissions regulations does mean this is now a little quieter and less dramatic, the latter stemming from the fact this W177-based A45 doesn’t crackle and pop as much as its predecessor, but by no means does it make it any slower.

Whilst the W176-based A45 already felt ballistic from the get-go, this W177-based follow-up takes things up a few notches. For a hatchback of this size and bulk, the acceleration rate and speed it commands is mind-boggling and not for the faint of heart to say the least. And that’s even before you toggle the Dynamic Select out of  its default ‘Comfort’ and into either ‘Sport’, ‘Sport+’ or ‘Race’ drive modes present.

Steering mounted capacitive touch-knobs provide quick access to the selectable modes and profies for the Dynamic Select, AMG Ride Control, and AMG Performance Exhaust.

Even in ‘Comfort’, you’re still able to access all 415 HP (421 PS) and 500 NM churned out by the hand-built 2.0-litre 4-cyl mill that AMG plonked up front. Yes, you read those figures right folks, this hatchback packs that big of a punch, and it comes with a neat party trick for this too: Launch Control.

Activating this only requires either Sport, Sport+ or Race mode firstly, followed by burying your left foot down on the brakes fully and flooring the accelerator with your right to build up boost. Do this for a few seconds before releasing the brakes, at which point the A45 S will gladly despatch 0-100 KM/H in a scarcely believable 3.9 seconds. To put this in perspective, that’s almost as quick as a Porsche 911 Carrera S, which does the same feat in 3.5 seconds, but costs more than double what the A45 S commands.

The A45 S packs a hand-built 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo outputting a manic 415 HP (421 PS) and 500 NM!

Note the signed engine builder's plaque (left) and massive turbocharger (right) unit.

This is also where things like the trick 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive (AWD) system and lightning-quick 8-speed AMG Speedshift DCT automatic transmission primed with the aforementioned 4-cyl mill, shines. If anything, the way all these hardware works to deliver this much performance – and agility through the twisties – in a hatchback like this is yet another testament of AMG’s brilliance towards performance engineering.

Of course, this near-senseless levels of power is nothing without control and, thankfully, this super-hatch has got plenty of electronic nannies and hardware to ensure that. Highlights of the latter include the massive AMG brakes and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber shod on each wheel, followed by the presence of clever adaptive dampers plus spring tuning dialled into the suspension package, not forgetting electronic driver aids and assists that work on overtime to keep this super-hatch on a leash somewhat.

Massive AMG brakes, sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, as well as trick suspension and AWD ensures this super-hatch is as agile as it is quick.

What deserves praise here is how much more refined the ride feels now compared to the previous W176-based A45 which, for lack of better words, is best described as rock-hard. That’s not the case in this W177-based replacement, thankfully. It’s still hard and stiff by regular car standards, but it’s now soft enough to almost convince anyone into driving it on the daily.

Overall, it’s plains to see that the Mercedes-AMG A45 S 4MATIC+ can and will keep up with pure-bred sportscars that are twice or three-times its price, and perhaps shame a few here too. That’s mighty impressive for any hatchback to say the least, and we’re certain its newfound and somewhat more ‘mature’ daily driveability and versatility will only pull more prospects into its favour.

SAFETY

We’ll be brief on this front yet again by noting that much of the basics and high-tech features seen in the range-topping base A-Class are present in this performance offshoot as well. Included are things like Adaptive Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning and Mitigation, as well as both Blind-spot Info and Warning.

All of that, by the way, comes on top of the usual basics expected such as ABS, traction and stability control suites, ISOFIX childseat anchors, and no less than seven airbags lining the cabin. In short, this super-hatch is equally safe as it is bonkers-fast.

RUNNING COSTS & RELIABLITY

Like any performance product, high performance does warrant high running costs, and this super-hatch is no exception. This is especially true on the fuel economy front which, if you’re the type who doesn’t do well with the temptation this super-hatch and its manic powertrain holds, will be costly.

We won’t get into too much details here other than pointing out that Mercedes-Benz has stated a claimed fuel economy average of 8.3 litres/100KM. This is indeed possible if you apply some self-restraint, which in turn will reward you with the ability to stretch this super-hatch’s 51-litre tank towards its theoretical maximum range of 612 KM.

Apart from that, there are the high-performance needs of the hand-built AMG 2.0-litre 4-cyl to bear in mind too. Such a mill definitely warrants you to fill the aforementioned tank up with high-grade RON97 fuels at the very least, not forgetting its requirement for equally high performance engine lubricants and, depending on how many trackdays or spirited twisty B-road jaunts you partake in, there’s the usual wear and tear parts that require refreshing from time to time too (i.e. brake pads, fluids, etc.)

Clearly, owning and running the A45 S is almost akin to that of the purebred sportscars it keeps up with in terms of costs, but this comes with the territory to say the least. The only up-side here is the stellar after-sales care and service levels provided by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and its key dealers, which should ease things a little. Did you expect anything less of a car that costs this much? Speaking of which…

SHOULD YOU BUY ONE?

The first AMG-built hatch to break the 400 HP mark also breaks the RM400k mark – RM481,888 sans insurance to be exact. By any standards, said figure is indeed princely, more so when you consider slightly slower but equally thrilling pure sportscars like the Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman duo aren’t too far off in price too – from RM515,000 and RM555,000 respectively.

But that’s the thing with the Mercedes-AMG A45 S 4MATIC+. The fact that it can be spoken in the same breathe as said pure midship sportscars, and perhaps eclipse them in terms of performance whilst offering greater daily driveability and versatility, is what attracts its fans and admirers. Also, the fact that it now shares the same base powertrain as the new C63 S AMG, should add to this too.

Clearly, those with the means to acquire the A45 S are already aware of its quirks, but are willing to look past them and revel in owning a super-hatch that’s indeed second to none. Are you already sizing up one of your kidneys for the down-payment yet? We are…

SPECIFICATIONS

Mercedes-AMG A45 S 4MATIC+