At one time, the Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG was the most powerful and fastest hot hatch on the market. However, the newly arrived Audi RS3 Sportback took this title for itself, which of course did not please the engineers from Affalterbach. Therefore, with the continuous modernization of the entire model range comes the strengthening of the top performance.
However, we have to start with the designs that are after all closer to ordinary customers who want a model with a three-pointed star. In terms of appearance, a sharp eye will surely notice slightly revised bumpers , a radiator grille studded with diamonds, a different graphic of the group lamps and optional full-LED lights in the front. The instrument panel from the newer CLA and GLA series got into the cabin, changed controls with a better surface treatment, more comfortable seats and, above all, redesigned infotainment with an eight-inch free-standing screen and Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Mirrorlink interfaces. The quality of the materials should also have gone up slightly.
The new basic version will be a turbocharged four-cylinder A 160 with a power of 102 hp and a torque of 180 Nm, the most economical diesel four-cylinder A 180 d BlueEfficiency Edition with a power of 109 hp and a torque of 260 Nm and a consumption of 3.5 l/100 km. The A 250 Sport and A 220 d (both with optional all-wheel drive) enjoy a power increase of 7 hp to 177 and 218 horsepower respectively. The rest of the engine range, including the petrol versions A 180/A 180 BlueEfficiency Edition (122 hp and 200 Nm), A 200 (156 hp and 250 Nm), A 220 4Matic (184 hp and 300 Nm) and A 250/A 250 4Matic (211 hp and 350 Nm), respectively the diesel versions A 180 d (109 hp and 260 Nm) and A 200 d/A 200 d 4Matic (136 hp and 300 Nm), remains unchanged. Dynamic Select adaptive dampers will be a new element of the standard equipment of the A 200 d 4Matic, A 220 4Matic, A 220 d, A 220 d 4Matic, A 250 4Matic, A 250 Sport and A 250 Sport 4Matic models, as well as the version with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and lowered chassis with Comfort, Sport, Eco and Individual modes. It will also be possible to buy them with the rest of the new A-class palette, with the exception of the economical BlueEfficiency Edition versions.
The highlight of the offer remains the A 45 AMG variant, whose drive unit, thanks to the modification of the valve timing and the redesign of the turbocharger, produces 381 hp and 475 Nm . This is 20 hp and 25 Nm more than before, but mainly it is enough to overcome the main rival from Audi. The Staron's most powerful sharp hatchback on the market thus conquers 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. The criticized seven-speed dual-clutch transmission received further modifications, the third-seventh gear of which was shortened and thus better corresponds to the first two gears. By ticking the AMG Dynamic Plus package, the A 45 AMG gets, among other things, a newly developed mechanically locking differential on the front axle. The above-mentioned adaptive dampers are standard.
The appearance changes of the classic A-class are further extended by the front full-LED headlights in the basic equipment, aerodynamically optimized bumpers at both ends of the car and a distinctive rear wing. In the interior, in addition to sports seats, there is also a flattened steering wheel , a revised instrument panel and a standard multimedia system.
If a pure-blooded AMG is too sporty, you can go for the AMG Line design with mainly visual changes or the limited Motorsport edition , referring to the successes of the Mercedes team in Formula 1. You can recognize it, for example, by the rear wing, alloy wheels from the AMG model, sports seats or details in a green shade that also appears on the single-seaters of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. The modernized class A will be available to order from July 3rd, the first customers will see it in September this year .
Source: Mercedes-Benz
