Just days before Diwali, Mercedes-Benz India is all set to drop an absolute firecracker of an AMG model – the A45 S hatchback. Unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2019, the Mercedes-AMG A45 S boasts of the world’s most powerful four-cylinder series production engine under its hood. Expected to launch in the next few days, the A45 S will be India’s hottest hatchback ever.
- A45 S boasts the most powerful four-cylinder series production engine in the world
- Develops 115hp and 100Nm more than the locally assembled AMG A35 sedan
- Will be imported in limited numbers
Mercedes-AMG A45 S: What’s to know?
The headlining feature of the AMG A45 S is without a doubt its engine. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine under the hood puts out a massive 421hp and 500Nm of torque, which makes it the most powerful 4-cylinder hatchback on sale not just in India but in the world. Globally, the A45 AMG is also available in a lower-spec standard guise with 387hp on tap, but Mercedes will be offering the full-blown S model here in India as a significant step up from the AMG A35 sedan.
Power is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, with Mercedes claiming a 3.9 second time for 0-100kph and a top speed limited to 270kph. The 4Matic four-wheel-drive system on the A45 S comes with a multi-plate clutch that features an AMG torque control function that separates electronically controlled clutches within the rear axle to vary the amount of drive sent to each individual rear wheel. The A45 S also comes with upgraded brakes in the form of 360mm front and 330mm rear discs, with red painted six-pot front and one-pot rear calipers.
The A45 will reintroduce the A-Class hatchback to India as the new A-Class is so far available in only a sedan body style. Compared to the A35 sedan that’s already on sale, the A45 S boasts 115hp and 100Nm more power and torque.
Mercedes-AMG A45 S: Its interiors and exteriors
In terms of styling the biggest difference over the currently available AMG A35 is the body style, with the A45 S solely available as a hatchback. That aside, it also looks a lot more aggressive thanks to proper AMG treatment. The highlights are, of course, the AMG Panamericana grille up front, more pronounced aero elements, new bumpers with larger air intakes and integrated splitter, a roof-mounted rear wing, dual twin-exit exhaust and 19-inch AMG-specific alloy wheels sitting in more pronounced wheel arches. In fact, the A45 S sits 54mm wider than the A35 and has a muscular, hunkered-down stance.
Inside, the cabin design remains more or less unchanged with the same twin 10.25-inch displays crowning the dashboard. The most notable change are the more aggressive sports seats up front.
The new-gen A45 S will be the first of the new 45-badged models to arrive in India following the discontinuation of the first-gen CLA and GLA 45s in India some years back.
Mercedes-AMG A45 S: Expected price and rivals
Unlike the locally assembled A35 sedan, the A45 S will be a CBU import, therefore, expect prices to be much higher than the locally assembled AMG A35 performance sedan currently on sale. Imports attract a high level of customs duty, hence we estimate the ex-showroom price of the A45 S to be in the region of Rs 75 lakh-80 lakh.
In terms of the competition, the A45 S stands in a league of its own and does not have any direct rival in India, thanks to that beast of an engine. Even globally, the A45 S is more powerful than high-performance hatchbacks from Mercedes’s traditional German rivals, such as the Audi RS3 Sportback.
Also See:
2019 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S image gallery