DRIVEN: Can The Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG Obliterate The Hot Hatch Market?

This is the new Mercedes A45 AMG, one of the most powerful hot hatches ever built. The A45 is also the first hot hatch that Mercedes’ AMG tuning division has ever built, and it’s gone all out with its initial attempt: there’s a 355bhp turbocharged engine, four-wheel drive, a seven-speed twin-clutch paddleshift gearbox, and the performance to embarrass a Porsche 911.

It’s a rival for the BMW M135i and new Audi S3, but is it any good? Read on for CAR’s first drive review of the new Mercedes A45 AMG.

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Patronus - 6/11/2013 4:37:51 PM

+1 Boost

I'd say no, not with an automatic tranny. For the same reason, the A3/S3 won't either.

LexSucks - 6/12/2013 1:45:55 PM

+1 Boost

An Automatic tranny that can out perform a manual in every way. This isn't the 1950's, clutch pedals are archaic.

LexSucks - 6/12/2013 1:48:14 PM

+1 Boost

An Automatic tranny that can out perform a manual in every way. This isn't the 1950's, clutch pedals are archaic.

JRobUSC - 6/11/2013 11:23:41 PM

+1 Boost

Based on the review it sounds like the answer is "no", that the S3 and M135 are still the better all around choices. What they said about the suspension of the A/CLA is worrisome.

LexSucks - 6/12/2013 1:52:08 PM

0 Boost

So would you let this review be your bases of your decision? What I gathered from the review is that the CLA45 is a better everyday car than the other cars. While still being able to go fast when needed. For someone who doesn't drive thier car at 10/10ths the CLA AMG might be a better choice than the others. Reviews are OK, but most are highly subjective. I like to find out things for myself.

JRobUSC - 6/17/2013 3:14:53 PM

+1 Boost

well, I'm not sure how you got "best all around car" from "The suspension, or lack thereof – even on smooth roads in Continental Europe the A45 AMG fidgets and thumps and crashes. CAR’s long-term A-class (on ‘comfort’ suspension) isn’t comfortable on British Tarmac, and any other A with the Dynamic Handling Package (15mm lower, with two-stage damping) rides horrifically, so we can’t see the A45 coping particularly well on our broken roads with its firmer, fixed-rate dampers." That kind of sounds like the opposite of "best all around", to me, but then I can't actually test the A45 AMG myself, or any other A-class, since we don't have them here.

Satriani1 - 6/12/2013 6:56:07 PM

+1 Boost

Golf GTI (536 points) was first in German car mag group test with the Mercedes A 250 with AMG-line bodykit (490 pts), BMW 125i (483 points), Ford Focus ST (467 pts). So the A45 AMG has to be something special to displace the Audi S3 in overall evaluation. No doubt the forthcoming RS3 will deal with any remaining questions.

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