Mercedes-AMG A45 review: New hot hatch brings unrivalled power and speed

Mercedes-Benz’s newest hot hatch has to be seen to be believed, with performance figures and speed that were unheard of before now.

Only milk and juice come in two-litre packages, so the Bathurst V8 faithful once crowed.

But no one says that now, thanks to performance cars such as the new Mercedes-AMG A45 S.

Remember Subaru’s original WRX? A giant-killer in its day thanks to all-wheel-drive traction and a two-litre turbo putting out 155kW. The new Benz makes exactly twice as much power from an engine the same size. Better still it uses almost the same fuel, has vastly superior safety and a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

The Mercedes-AMG A45 has the world’s most powerful four-cylinder engine. Photo by Thomas Wielecki.

Those 310kW and 500Nm peaks — some 30kW and 50Nm more than the old A45 — are enough to fire the hatch to 100km/h in a claimed 3.9 seconds.

That’s faster than any Australian V8 muscle car and quicker than the latest Porsche 911 Carrera. Not bad for a five-door hatchback stuffed with luxury kit.

Then again, this is the most expensive hatchback on sale.

Priced from $93,600 plus on-road costs, the A45 costs about $103,000 drive-away. That’s about $25,000 more than A35 little brother (which has 225kW), and roughly $20,000 more than the original A45 AMG, which shattered expectations back in 2013.

All that performance doesn’t come cheap, the A45 is priced from about $103,000 drive-away. Photo by Thomas Wielecki.

For that extra spend you get sharper performance credentials and much-improved everyday usability. AMG’s first crack at a hot hatch had a bone-jarring ride and the most anti-social exhaust short of Italian supercars, or the brand’s own V8 range.

Multi-mode suspension, more comfortable seats and a muted soundtrack suggest the new A45 is a more mature offering.

Based on a fresh A-Class hatch, it benefits from a best-in-class interior anchored by twin digital screens and a head-up display. Mercedes’ infotainment looks and works beautifully and there are thoughtful touches such as voice-activated climate control, wireless charging and USB-C power outlets. Track-ready data apps and a choice of six driving modes mean you won’t be bored any time soon.

The A45 uses all-wheel drive to get all that power to the ground. Photo by Thomas Wielecki.

The new model is easier to live with. The cabin materials are better and Mercedes’ latest driver aids make it a safe and relaxing proposition.

It will stop, go and steer for you in traffic jams, or make long motorway trips an exercise in supervision.

The A45 benefits from Merc’s outstanding new cabin featuring a dual-screen layout. Photo by Thomas Wielecki.

It even looks a little tame, unless you pay $2490 for an optional aero pack.

All that changes the minute you engage launch control, holding the brakes with your left foot while flooring the accelerator.

Fat Michelins dig into the road when the clutch drops as clever four-wheel-drive software sends torque where it needs to go.

The highly-strung engine races to the end of the tacho, building momentum all the way to redline before you pluck the right paddle. The new eight-speed transmission has closer-stacked ratios and smoother shifts to make swift progress.

But the A45’s exhaust note sounds flat and isn’t as engaging as some rivals. Photo by Thomas Wielecki.

Mega six-piston front brakes pull you back to reality and grip is outstanding in all weather. There’s also less push from a fast and accurate front end, allowing you to use more throttle, sooner.

This is an impressive machine.

But it is less engaging than BMW’s rear-drive M2 or slower hot hatches such as the charming Ford Fiesta ST or scalpel-like Honda Civic Type R.

The engine has lost whip-crack sound effects that helped define the old model, sounding flat compared with Audi’s musical RS3 or BMW’s delicious sixes.

The new A45 S has broader appeal without rough edges that made the previous model unforgettable. Accommodating rather than unrelenting, it has lost some of the previous car’s character.

Verdict 3.5/5

Fast, polished and undoubtedly expensive, the new A45 S is more liveable — but arguably less loveable — than before.

Mercedes-AMG A45 S vitals

Price: About $103,000 drive-away

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo, 310kW/500Nm

Warranty: 5-years/unl’td km

Safety: 5 stars, 9 airbags, lane-keep assist, blind-spot alert, adaptive high-beam

Thirst: 8.9L/100km

Boot: 370 litres