In 2012, Mercedes-Benz introduced the third generation of their A-Class, designated the W176-series. Its direct competitors are the Audi A3, BMW 1-series, plus -on paper- the Lexus CT and Infiniti Q30 (which is fully based on the A-Class). All of them are high-end C-segment/compact hatchbacks.
The automaker’s über-hot hatch, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 4Matic, was launched in June 2013. All-wheel drive and powered by a 2.0 liter engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger, initially its maximum power output was 360 DIN-hp @ 6,000 rpm. The transmission is a 7-speed AMG Speedshift DCT.
The other day I caught two of these automotive equivalents of a pit bull terrier, kindly parked next to each other.
The wildest looking AMG A 45 is from 2016.
It speaks for itself that 360 hp was hardly enough for a compact that weighs about 1,450 kg (3,197 lbs), so its maximum power was raised to 381 DIN-hp in September 2015.
Here’s the 2017 AMG A 45, dressed in black.
The top speed of the Mercedes-AMG A 45 was limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), except if you ordered the AMG Driver’s Package, in which case the top speed is 270 km/h (168 mph). The package included a driver training.
Additional info for sprinters triggered by traffic lights turning green: 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds.
For comparison purposes, here’s a second gen A-Class (W169-series), as introduced in 2004. Clearly an updated 1997-2004 first gen A-Class (W168-series), which was the first front-wheel drive, compact Mercedes-Benz. Practical minivans, featuring a sandwich platform, whereas the third generation became a “traditional” compact hatchback. Pictured a 2007 Mercedes-Benz A 170, powered by a 1.7 liter gasoline engine.
The fourth generation of the A-Class was unveiled last February. An AMG version is not available yet, but it will get not less than 400 hp. It simply must, to compete against the Audi RS 3 Sportback, to name another über-hot hatch.
The little AMG beasts as seen here are in the same price-segment as a well-equipped Mercedes-Benz E-Class. How about that, a compact hatchback for the same price as an executive sedan. In the end it’s all about personal preferences and needs. At least there are still automakers that offer you a choice.
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Canada and US don’t get A-Klass hatchback,instead we’re getting GLA. Even though it’s called a crossover, to me it’s still a hatchback. Last year I’ve got to see a GLA 45 parked at the Costco parking lot.
It rides slightly higher and has a different rear-end treatment but otherwise it’s one of the thinnest “crossover-ification” jobs I’ve ever seen. Apparently it rides a bit softer so it’s one example of where I’d take the crossover version over the regular car.
We get the A here in Australia and it’s everywhere where I live. GLAs are much rarer. I imagine people don’t really see the point in paying more for such a similar-looking car.
A friend who brings shitloads of money to Mercedes bought this AMG 45.
Impossible to drive, the only thing it does well is go fast, the rest Mercedes forgot, it does not handle nicely, the seats and suspension are rock hard, totally useless.
An old skool GTI was a car you could live with day by day and you could use it to go to a meeting, drive down to the supermarket use it as your daily driver.
This is just a bully with no other advantages, this is not a car you fall in love with, there are many second hand examples on the market.
My Mercedes friend traded it in for a Macan Diesel.
Which is a very nice car to drive to the supermarket!
So there is nothing much to miss with this A series, a Golf is much more capable.
I’ve heard the GLA45 has a more compliant suspension and still looks like a bloody hatchback anyway, so I’d take that.
A Porsche Macan though would certainly win for me. Such an appealing crossover!
There is also a standard suspension setup and an optional upgrade at least pre-facelift. The standard suspension is not too bad in my view having sat in one for hours, although it does make for a ‘busy’ ride, but the performance upgrade is apparently too much for the road.
I have driven an A45 a couple of times, including on the track. Driving normally you would have no idea of the performance potential, but it is fantastic for overtaking in particular and was a lot of fun on track.
Without the optional spoiler etc they are a pretty low-key car and don’t stand out much from the lower-trim cars.
The modern day A-Class is the perfect example and prrof for the fact that things like restraint and elegance in car design are totally out the door by now. 20 years ago people would have laughed at a mercedes with that much spoiler and sticker stuff on it (Yes I know the evo had a very large spoiler on it but for reasons). It’s the perfect statement for or time: loud, obnoxious, pretentious. If you wan’t to step up the ladder even more within the range of silly modern cars take a look at the CLA – try to sit in the back (I’m not a tall guy) for example, it’s the most impractical car I can think of and for that price not even good looking…. not saying I don’t like modern car design (I’m a designer myself) but the A, CLA, GLA and so on are just silly silly cars…
I won’t argue with you on the CLA – my lord it has awful rear headroom – but, while I acknowledge the 45s can be rather garish, I think overall they’re quite elegant. And given the sheer power and ability they have, they make for appealing entry-level Benzes…. certainly more so than the dorky old A-Class and the boring B-Class.
The 45s appeal to a whole new buyer of Benz and I think they’re important for the brand. And overall, I’d take an A or GLA over an Infiniti Q30 or Lexus CT or Audi A3.
A BMW 1 or 2-Series, though? I think I’d be swayed to BMW… Nothing like a compact, rear-wheel-drive platform!
From what I’ve read and seen, the recently introduced new A-Class (that’s the W177) is fully aimed at the young(er) car crowd.
Australia is apparently one of the biggest markets for Mercedes-AMG which doesn’t surprise me because I seem to see A45 AMGs everywhere! Much more common than the CLA45 and GLA45 but then we don’t mind hatchbacks here and the CLA is less practical than the A-Class anyway (although still a huge seller here, I believe coming in second after the C-Class in the small luxury sedan market).
Frankly, A45 AMGs are often pretty damn garish with stripes and spoilers and so on. But I don’t mind ’em… They definitely seem to help the Mercedes brand skew younger and, while the three-pointed star has always been desirable, they’ll help stop Mercedes from getting too much of a “senior-friendly” image like Lexus used to suffer from here.
Yep- Mercedes has looked at Honda’s Civic lineup and decided they were spot on after all. No love from this corner.