The new Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG is the first hot hatch from the company and with the whopping 355 bhp of power it is one of the most powerful production hatch ever built. The new vehicle will be allowing Mercedes and AMG to venture into new market as both the firms are eying on the young buyers.
The A45 AMG will be giving the Mercedes much sought competitors it always wanted for the cars like BMW M135i and the next generation of Audi RS3. The new vehicle is based on the new A-class and also is the first smaller vehicle produced by the AMG. AMG boss Ola Kallenius always described C-Class, which was their entry level vehicle as Bread and butter car.
The A45 will definitely will cost less than 58,000 pounds (which is about Rs. 79.8 lakh) C63. It is expected to price around 36,000 pounds, placing it just above the BMW M135i but below the next gen Audi RS3 in the European markets.
The A45 hires a four cylinder engine which the first time for any AMG built car. It features a 1991cc turbocharges petrol unit with the highest output for any of the 2.0 litre engine yet fitted in any production car. It delivers about 355 bhp of power at 6000 rpm and a peak torque of about 45.9 Kgm from 2750 to 5000 rpm, thus churning the highest specific output, which was one of the prime goal of the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG project.
The A45 AMG is altogether a new car unlike the previously badged AMGs like A-classes which just supported the trim and suspension upgrades. The vehicle with the all-aluminum engine that works with an unique sand casted block and a large twin scroll turbo is something new developed from the AMG and is also scheduled to find its way to the upcoming CLA 45. Each engine has been hand built at the Affalterbach plant of AMG by a single technician, delivering the AMG philosophy of “one man, one engine”.
The high output has been made possible by the high pressure cylinders and advance direct injection that also contributing in making the engine more efficient. Mercedes Benz claims a mileage of about 12 kmpl and emission of about 161g/km of CO2, which is sustained by the start stop technology. The hatch can reach 100 kmph in just 4.6 second with a top speed of about 250 kmph.
AMG earlier decided that the A45 has to be a four wheel drive. The car uses an AMG redesigned 4Matic drivetrain along with the Mercedes’s new seven speed dual clutch auto gearbox that is capable of handling the power and torque output and distributing the drive equally between the axles. This is the first time that the gearbox has been mated with the four wheel drive. The transmission comes with three modes, Sport, Manual and controlled efficiency. The ESP system can also be switched off or can also be switched to sport mode.
The exterior of the car has also received tons of AMG updates. An AMG radiator grille and the deep front splitter now comes finished in matt grey and the side skirts and air intakes has been finished in gloss black colours along with the door mirrors. A45 now also gets a grey 18 inches alloy wheels that are fitted with the 235/40 tires. The Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG is all set to get its public outing at the Geneva Motor Show that is scheduled next month.
