Rate It: The 421-Horsepower AMG Hot Hatch

Colin
By Colin Wood
Sep 3, 2020 | Mercedes-AMG, Rate It, A 45

For those in the U.S., "Mercedes-AMG" and "hot hatch" usually don't go together in the same sentence (the AMG E63 S Wagon doesn't really count since it's a wagon), but in some very lucky parts of the world, the A 45 S AMG 4MATIC+ begs to differ.

Sure, we do get AMG trims for the A-Class Sedan and CLA Coupe, but neither can be had with the face-melting, 421-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder found in the A 45 S. In that spec, the roughly 3500-pound AMG hatchback has a zero-to-60 time of less than 4 seconds.

Of course, all of that comes at AMG prices: an A 45 S starts at 61,820.50 euro, or about $73,200. To put that into perspective, a brand-new 2021 Corvette C8 starts at $59,995.

At any rate, in the world of hot hatches, is this AMG the hottest of the bunch, or is the price to enter just a little too steep?

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Comments
Placemotorsports
Placemotorsports GRM+ Memberand Reader
9/3/20 10:46 a.m.

I would very much like one....but probably would never buy one with my own money

MrFancypants
MrFancypants Reader
9/3/20 10:48 a.m.

Love it.  Can't throw my kids in the back of a Corvette so this is a better option if I want to share a spirited drive with the family.

Probably wouldn't spend this much though when I can do the same for half as much with a Golf R.

nderwater
nderwater UltimaDork
9/3/20 3:02 p.m.

Hot engine in a small, cheap, light car?  Bueno!  But the formula breaks down when the price skyrockets and the weight bloats.  I don't find expensive hatchbacks appealing. 

There's a 2017 AMG GT Coupe with 17K miles listed for the same price at a local dealer.  Guess which car I'd rather have?

bobzilla
bobzilla MegaDork
9/3/20 3:43 p.m.

3500lbs? Really? Is the turbo made of lead?

Saron81
Saron81 HalfDork
9/3/20 3:46 p.m.
bobzilla said:

3500lbs? Really? Is the turbo made of lead?

No AWD hot hatch/rally rep is much lighter.

bobzilla
bobzilla MegaDork
9/3/20 3:48 p.m.
Saron81 said:
bobzilla said:

3500lbs? Really? Is the turbo made of lead?

No AWD hot hatch/rally rep is much lighter.

I consider 400-500lbs a lot lighter. The Type R is 3100 and the Veloster N is 3000. No, neither of those have 400hp but most turbo 4 cars don't. 

Saron81
Saron81 HalfDork
9/3/20 3:49 p.m.

In reply to bobzilla :

They're also not AWD. 
I don't disagree that they're all heavy, but that goes with the territory these days, and it's not out of line with the competition.

AMG Benzes are also not known for being low on options/luxury which all adds weight. 

Olemiss540
Olemiss540 Reader
9/3/20 4:01 p.m.

Is the c8 vette going to be everyone's "to put that in perspective" vehicle from now until eternity?

They literally share no relation whatsoever. The S class Benz is really expensive too compared to a c8 vette. 

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
9/3/20 4:16 p.m.

In reply to Olemiss540 :

I see what you're getting at, and I'll admit it's not a perfect comparison.

How about comparing it to an Audi RS3? It's also a small-ish German performance car with a 0-60 time of less than four seconds. According to Audi, it starts at around $56,200.

docwyte
docwyte UberDork
9/3/20 4:22 p.m.

Golf R doesn't weigh 3500lbs

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