Mercedes-AMG A 45 S review: Most powerful hatchback in India
Hatchbacks are known for being fuel efficient, practical, and ideal for our cramped urban cities. However, the concept of a performance hatchback has been alien to our market due to our affinity toward SUVs. That said, German automaker Mercedes-Benz begs to differ and has launched its most powerful hatchback in India in the form of A 45 S. Here's our review.
Why does it matter?
Mercedes-Benz has previously launched the A-Class hatchback but that was in a less powerful configuration. With the changing automotive landscape in India, the A 45 S represents a shift in buyer preferences toward newer body styles, including performance hatchbacks. This story will help you understand where the A 45 S sits within the wide performance car spectrum in India and its unique positioning.
The car looks aggressive with various AMG-specific design cues
The Mercedes-AMG A 45 S looks aggressive and muscular while easily showcasing its sporty intentions. There are plenty of AMG-specific design cues like the bigger radiator grille, flared wheel arches, and wider front wings. The sculpted bonnet also fits in well with the car's track-focused look. Massive 19-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler round off a compact but appealing design.
The cabin gets sportier AMG steering wheel and seats
The cabin carries forward the aggressive intent with an all-black theme along with some colored inserts thrown in. There is an AMG-specific steering wheel, propeller-style air vents, contrast stitching, and the sport seats offer excellent support for aggressive driving. The space on offer is less than the A-Class sedan but the boot capacity is more than sufficient at 370 liters.
From a heads-up display to a 12-speaker Burmester audio system
As expected, the equipment levels on offer are pretty generous, including the twin 10.25-inch displays having the latest MBUX infotainment system. It also gets dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, a 12-speaker Burmester audio system, a heads-up display, and powered front seats. In terms of safety, aside from airbags, there are features like Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist.
Performance is impressive with a responsive gearbox
Underneath the hood, lies the world's most powerful four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine with 421hp/500Nm. Standard is an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic and a four-wheel-drive system. Performance is savage along with sharp power delivery. Also, 0-100 km/h takes just 3.9 seconds and it easily reaches its top-speed of 278km/h. The powertrain sounds fantastic as well while the gearbox delivers precise shifts.
The car has a drift mode which enables power sliding
In terms of high-speed stability, the A 45 S is terrific with its confidence-inspiring driving experience and the ability to stay stable at triple-digit speeds. We also found the steering to be providing the correct amount of feedback in terms of being a performance car. Despite the four-wheel-drive system, the A 45 S has a drift mode that enables power sliding.
How much does it cost?
The Mercedes-AMG A 45 S is priced at Rs. 79.5 lakh (ex-showroom) and while that makes it a lot more expensive than the A 35 AMG, the performance gains are significant to justify the premium. Overall, the A 45 S comes across as a desirable performance car while being practical enough for our roads. It has no rivals at this price-point.
