Mercedes confirms local price for AMG A 45 S

Thursday, 27 February 2020

The Mercedes-AMG A 45 S packs more power than the last Holden Commodore V8 and is ferociously fast.

Mercedes-Benz New Zealand has confirmed the price for its upcoming AMG A 45 S and CLA 45 S sibs, along with the final specifications for each.

It's only the best for us, with Mercedes opting to leave the lesser A 45 and CLA 45 in Germany. The local arm will offer only the more powerful S variants of each.

Price for the A 45 S hatchback starts at a rather hefty $110,000 plus on-roads, while the swoopy CLA 45 S four-door coupe ratchets the sticker price up to $128,300 (plus ORCs). If that's a bit too much to stomach, the slightly less manic A 35 is available from $85,800.

The AMG A 45 S and CLA 45 S are coming to New Zealand, with prices starting in the six-figure range.

Back to the 45 twins, the S suffix indicates these two are packing the most powerful version of AMG's new M139 turbocharged four-banger.

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The 'S' denotes the use of AMG's most powerful four cylinder engine yet, sporting a huge 310kW and 500Nm of twist.

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The CLA 45 is a slightly more restrained sort of lunacy, as you can see.

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AMG reckons it's the most powerful four cylinder in the world and we're inclined to believe them. It makes a huge 310kW/500Nm, all of which is sent through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission to both axles.

The German says the engines specific output of 155kW per litre puts it 'ahead of many well-known super-sports car engines.'

At full chat, the A 45 S will crack 100kmh in 3.9 seconds while the slightly heavier CLA 45 S takes four seconds flat, thanks to the 4Matic all-wheel drive system.

AMG has tweaked the computers here to allow all of the power to be sent to the rear wheels alone, should the driver select the new 'Drift Mode'.

To handle all that spice, AMG has created a new rear differential featuring two clutches, one per wheel.

Aside from the powertrain, the 45 S sibs don't differ all that much from the rest of the AMG range. The interior is fairly standard fare for modern Merc's, including the latest MBUX infotainment system.

There's plenty of suede, leather and yellow contrast stitching, while active safety is covered with the Driving Assistance Package Plus, coming as standard. This adds active cruise control, a 360 degree camera, active lane change assist, adaptive headlights and more.

On the outside is an AMG radiator grille, front wings with more flared wheel arches and AMG-specific side skirts. Two 90mm tailpipes poke through the rear bumper, indicating this Mercedes will be a bit of a noise machine.

Meanwhile, the CLA 45 S gets a slightly more restrained look at the front thanks to more relaxed wheel arches but adds a different diffuser at the rear along with a boot lip spoiler.

Needless to say, it still looks a bit deranged, which is a good thing.

The AMG A 45 S and CLA 45 S are both on sale now.