2016 Mercedes-AMG A45 Track Test – Fastest Five-Door Below $100k Gets Better
After a brief period last year where the Audi RS3 stole its belt, the Mercedes-AMG A45 has returned from the gym with bigger biceps to reclaim the title of “Most Powerful Hyper Hatch”.
Now flexing a beastly 280kW of power and 475Nm of axle-twisting torque from its tiddly 2.0 litre turbo four, the A45 has a level of brawn that’s disproportionate to its stature. A jockey with a power-lifter’s strength? That’s not a bad analogy.
It’s not all about muscle though. For 2016 AMG has hopped-up the A45’s driveline and suspension to give it an added edge, and what better place to test the whole shebang than a race track?
Vehicle Style: High performance prestige small hatch
Price: $77,900 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 280kW/475Nm 2.0 turbo petrol 4cyl | 7sp dual-clutch transmission
Fuel Economy claimed: 7.3 l/100km
Here’s what’s new for the A45 - 15kW more power, 25Nm more torque, a tweaked calibration for its 7-speed twin-clutch automatic, an optional locking front-differential ($1990) and a new aero package.
The price has also jumped $2100, but the A45 still lobs in with a $1k price advantage over its nearest competitor, the Audi RS3 Sportback.
The rest of the package is virtually the same, but we’re really just concerned with the bits that make the A45 go. Let’s fire it up and find out.