When it comes to hot hatchbacks, the Mercedes-AMG A45 S 4Matic+ is one of the few that come to mind whenever the conversation arises. Now in its second generation and recently receiving a facelift, we dive into this hyper-hatch from Affalterbach
Sporting the AMG Aerodynamics Package, it certainly looks menacing. The package includes front canards, a front splitter with red accents, a massive rear wing, a rear diffuser, and quad exhausts that complete the aggressive aesthetic. To be honest, a plain Jane A45 S can look a bit underwhelming by comparison. That being said, the package will set you back a cool R28,100. Our tester came with optional 19-inch AMG wheels, an optional matte finish paint job, and AMG stickers on the sides (which feel like overkill) as part of the Street Style package. We were stopped at 7 of the 8 roadblocks we encountered—not because we were on the wrong side of the law, but because our friends at JMPD just wanted to take a closer look. It’s a crowd-pleaser, without a doubt.
The cabin has a minimalist feel, with the trackpad for the infotainment system gone and control now handled via touch or the steering wheel. The steering wheel option can be a bit finicky, so touch is the best bet. While many manufacturers are going the buttonless route, we’re pleased Mercedes has retained physical switches for essential functions like climate control. The cabin is great overall, but the bulky sports seats can limit rear passenger space, depending on the front occupants’ seating positions. The steering wheel, a mix of Alcantara and leather, feels great in hand. You also get a touch infotainment screen running on Merc’s MBUX, as well as a customizable digital instrument cluster.
Now, let’s get to the juicy part: the driving experience. Powering the A45 S 4Matic+ is a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing a staggering 310 kW and 500 Nm of torque. The A45 S 4Matic+ currently holds the title of the most powerful ICE-powered hatchback in production. So, how does all that power translate into real-world driving? Surprisingly well—it’s relatively easy to drive, but when you start opening up the throttle, illegal speeds are reached much faster than you’d expect. The 0–100 km/h sprint takes just 3.9 seconds, which is insanely quick for a hatchback.
One thing to note is that the ride is a bit stiff. Could you daily drive it? Possibly, if you lived in Cape Town where silky smooth asphalt is the norm in most parts of the city. Though a bit firm for daily use, hustling the A45 S is truly something special. The 4Matic+ all-wheel drive provides tons of grip, and the AMG Speedshift DCT 8G handles gear shifts like a pro. The steering wheel controls make switching drive modes a breeze and are less distracting than pushing the dynamic select near the center console. In our opinion, the A45 S has loads of fun factor.
The Mercedes-AMG A45 S 4Matic+ has to be one of the most exciting cars we’ve driven this year. It’s a blast to drive, and in this particular spec, it looks downright thrilling. It has its drawbacks, but we doubt they’ll be deal breakers for many. Shout out to Mercedes-AMG for creating one of the craziest hot hatchbacks to date. The Mercedes-AMG A45 S 4Matic+ starts at R1,442,415.
