SOME OF US CAN remember when Mercedes-Benz was a staid, conservative company (although barnstormers like the 1971 6.3-litre 300 SEL sedan was a true Q-car that delivered a hefty performance kick).
These days, the company has a mouth-watering stable of performance models, and it’s just added two more to the range.
The new Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ and CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ are fitted with the world’s most powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine in series production.
The highly anticipated new-generation hatch and four-door coupé turn up the power, posture and performance, continuing to improve upon the legacy of the previous generation of these perennial favourites.
“We have completely redesigned our 45 models – from the engine and transmission through the chassis, the elaborately constructed drivetrain to the body structure and of course the design itself – all with one goal: to raise vehicle dynamics and the sporty driving experience to a level previously unimaginable in the compact class,” said Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
“With the presentation of this, our most powerful and most dynamic compact sports car, we are also reinforcing the significance of this segment for our growth strategy.”
At the heart of the two new models sits a milestone achievement for Mercedes-AMG – a turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating an incredible 310 kW of power and 500 Nm of torque. In combination with a new AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT-8G dual-clutch transmission with eight ratios and gearshifts measured in milliseconds, the A 45 S 4MATIC+ sprints from zero to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds (CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ does it in an only-slightly-less-impressive 4.0 seconds). With an output per litre of 155kW, the turbo four even ranks ahead of many well-known super-sports car engines.
Active, fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive distributes power to rear axle wheels selectively by AMG Torque Control, enabling top traction and creating the parameters for the spectacular new ‘Drift’ mode. This is made possible by a new rear axle differential featuring two multidisc clutches – one for each rear wheel.
A pair of prodigious performers
Constructed from the underpinnings of the latest-generation of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class compact hatch and sedan, and building on the success of the newly-created A 35 4MATIC and CLA 35 4MATIC, the new Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ hatch and CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ four-door coupé do more than simply set new performance standards.
An extensively reinforced bodyshell provides the basis for precise steering characteristics, as well as track and camber stability. A lightweight aluminium plate bolted beneath the engine – the ‘shearing plate’ – increases front-end torsional rigidity, while further reinforcement supports the suspension system. This results in highly precise responses even at the physical limits, giving the driver clearly defined feedback, plus less rolling and pitching on bends, when braking and during load cycles.
The completely newly developed 2.0-litre engine is the world’s most powerful turbocharged four-cylinder manufactured for series production (310kW/500Nm), bettering the output of the engine used in the preceding models by 30kW and 25Nm.
Also impressive is a carefully balanced torque curve with maximum torque available in a range of 5000 to 5250rpm, achieving power delivery akin to a naturally aspirated engine. The high maximum engine speed (up to 7200 rpm) further emphasises the engine’s sporty character.
The 8-speed AMG Speedshift DCT 8G dual-clutch transmission has been configured for spontaneous acceleration in all speed ranges. Depending on the selected AMG Dynamic Select driving mode, the driver receives a specific drive configuration with different accelerator and gearshift characteristics. The standard Race-Start function allows maximum acceleration from stationary, in a highly emotive experience.
With AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with AMG Torque Control, an extremely dynamic driving experience is included as standard. The secret is AMG Torque Control in the new rear axle differential: This has two electronically controlled multidisc clutches, each of which is connected to a rear axle drive shaft. In this way the drive power can not only be completely variably distributed between the front and rear wheels, but also selectively between the left and right rear wheel.
The result is consistently optimum traction, even in adverse road conditions. In a racetrack environment, this sophisticated solution enables extreme cornering manoeuvres with the new ‘Drift’ mode, which makes power-sliding possible for even more driving pleasure.
The AMG Ride Control adaptive damping system is fitted as standard, and enables the driver to choose between three different suspension control modes, from comfort-focused to sporty. The system operates fully automatically, adapting the damping forces for each wheel according to the driving situation and road conditions. This happens within milliseconds and is infinitely variable, with a wide spread of damping characteristics.
The high-performance braking system ensures fade-resistant deceleration and short braking distances, with 6-piston fixed callipers and 360 x 36mm brake discs at the front and 1-piston floating callipers with 330 x 22mm discs at the rear. The discs are internally ventilated and perforated to better dissipate heat and prevent brake fading, even with extreme use, and the brake callipers are painted red with a black AMG logo.
The new Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ and CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ are also equipped with the new AMG Dynamics system. This integrated vehicle dynamics control extends the stabilising functions of ESP with agility-enhancing intervention in the all-wheel control, steering characteristics and additional ESP functions. When cornering at speed, for example, brief braking intervention at the inner rear wheel generates a defined yawing motion around the vertical axis for responsive and precise entry into the bend. The spectrum ranges from extremely stable to highly dynamic.
Inside, the ground-breaking MBUX infotainment system first seen on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatch features sporty AMG-specific design, sophisticated details and displays in emotionally appealing representations rendered in brilliant 3D graphics. This includes a race timer, a G-meter, engine data plus individual AMG displays such as visualisation of the driving programs, AMG Track Pace and telemetry data.
AMG Track Pace, the racetrack-specific virtual race engineer, can continuously monitor more than 80 vehicle-specific data points. It also displays lap and sector times, as well as the respective difference from a reference time. The driver can use the data to analyse and improve their driving skills.
The new Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+
Overt visual cues include an AMG-specific radiator grille with a wider lower contour and 12 vertical louvres – a clear indicator of AMG Performance family membership. Wider front wings with flared wheel arches create space for the wider front axle, underlining an athletic appearance in combination with the front apron featuring a distinctive jet-wing design.
Wider AMG side skirts visually lower the A 45 S 4MATIC+ so that it appears to hug the road more closely, while the rear view is characterised by two pairs of round 90mm-diameter tailpipes with internal fluting and AMG lettering. The diffuser with two vertical twin fins contributes to better aero performance.
The A 45 S 4MATIC+ features a level of standard comfort and convenience normally specified on range-topping luxury models, including a Burmester surround sound audio system, an AMG Performance steering wheel in black Dinamica microfibre with contrasting yellow topstitching, heated and electrically-operated sports seats finished in two-tone leather with contrasting yellow topstitching, Energizing Comfort Control, brushed aluminium trim, Keyless-Go and start, ambient lighting featuring 64 colours, dark-tinted privacy glass and a panoramic glass sunroof.
Standard safety includes Driving Assistance Package Plus, Active Distance Assist Distronic (including Cross-Traffic Assist), Active Lane Change Assist, Parking Package featuring 360-degree camera, Multibeam LED headlights with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, and route-based speed adaptation.
AMG-specific additions include the AMG Driver’s Package (with top speed increased to 270 km/h), AMG Track Pace data logging, the AMG Night Package with design elements in black, and 19-inch-diameter, 8.5-inch wide AMG cross-spoke alloy wheels in matt black with high-sheen flange.
The Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ retails for $93,600 (plus on road costs), and is on sale now.
The new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S 4MATIC+
With a wider front track from its CLA architecture, the CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ has a naturally self-assured stance and does not require the same frontal flares as the A 45 S 4MATIC+. The CLA 45 S does share the AMG-specific radiator grille with the A45 S but sports an expressive appearance all its own with jet-like external air inlets that show a family relationship with the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé.
At the rear, the CLA 45 S sports a diffuser with four individual fins, and a boot lid-mounted spoiler. Its 19-inch-diameter AMG alloy wheels are nine inches wide.
The CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ otherwise shares the same high level of specification as the A 45 S 4MATIC+.
Once we have tested and assessed the new Mercedes-AMG A 45 S and CLA 45 S, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.