Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG: circa $80K, circa 265kW

By Jez Spinks | June 14th, 2012

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The Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG hot-hatch will be one of three new models that will bring the German luxury brand’s performance models to a broader audience with sub-$100,000 price tags.

Mercedes-Benz’s most affordable AMG model is currently the $152,800 C63 AMG, but CarAdvice can reveal that the hottest A-Class will cost about $80,000 when it goes in sale in 2013 as a rival for the upcoming BMW M135i.

Company insiders have also confided to CarAdvice that it will be joined by the Mercedes-Benz CLA AMG, the flagship model of what is essentially a junior CLS four-door ‘coupe’ and will carry about a $5000 premium over the A45 AMG with which it will share its platform and mechanicals.

The CLA was previewed by the Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe (pictured above) earlier this year, with CarAdvice’s sources saying the show car is about “90 per cent” representative of the production model.

A year later, in 2014, will see the introduction of an AMG version of a compact SUV, possibly to be called the BLK or GLC, that is also based on the same MFA platform as the A-Class and CLA and will also have a five-figure price tag.

Mercedes today confirmed one of its worst-kept secrets that the A45 AMG (note: images main and below are of regular A-Class with an AMG bodykit only) will employ a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with power distributed to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch auto.

The all-wheel-drive system will be rear-biased for sportier driving, and the AMG hatch will include high-performance brakes, sports suspension, and a three-stage stability control system with differing levels of intervention.

A torque output of more than 400Nm has also been teased, though company insiders have told CarAdvice the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG will have a higher output per litre than a Porsche 911 GT3 thanks to a power figure of about 265kW.

That’s expected to help give the A45 AMG a 0-100km/h acceleration time below five seconds to match the rival BMW M135i (4.9 seconds claimed) that is rear-wheel drive and produces less power (235kW) but likely more torque (450Nm) from its turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine.

The BMW M135i hatch – pictured below, and part of a new breed of cars produced by the Munich-based brand’s M performance division but sit a rung below the full M cars – is expected to have a similar price tag, setting up a perfect and enticing comparison test with the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG.

The Audi RS3, with its 250kW 2.5-litre turbo four-cylinder could also be thrown into the mix, though Audi’s hot-hatch isn’t sold in Australia and is based on the A3 that is replaced later this year (early 2013 for Australia).

Regular versions of the all-new A-Class, which were also partly engineered by AMG, will reach Australian in the first quarter of 2013. The Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG will follow about six months later.

The range of compact AMGs are part of Mercedes’ plan to boost sales of its performance models from the 22,000 it did in 2011 to about 35,000 by 2015.

Australia is one of the world’s most popular markets per capita for Mercedes-AMG models. So far in 2012, Mercedes-Benz has sold more 63 AMG models than

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Jazrod

I’d have the A45 AMG over any of it’s competitors (this is being said by a Bimmer fan) – the A-Klasse alone just looks fantastic . . .
I read somewhere that Mercedes/AMG were intentionally seeking out higher power outputs than than 2.5T 5cyl in the Audi and not the BMW, purely to have the most power?Either way this car will be phenomenal.
Dominique Vøn Hütch

M135i for me sweet handling, great engine – looks like a shark.
Dominique Vøn Hütch

M135i for me sweet handling, great engine – looks like a shark.
D987

Depending on the final price I’ll be seriously looking at getting one these as my next car. Either this or the A250 with AMG kit.
D987

Depending on the final price I’ll be seriously looking at getting one these as my next car. Either this or the A250 with AMG kit.
- TJ
  
  Im with you, i love the look of the new A Class! I have been eagerly anticipating the AMG varient of it but I think im going to settle for the A250. If that’s really Matte Silver paint like i read about in a report recently, im sold!
Guest99

80k is a lot of $$ for a car that size.
- theillestlife
  
  but cheap of a car with that AMG badge
  - mrxandthexfactor
    
    ‘Relatively’ cheap is probably a safer thing to safe.
Greg

look, the higher output from 2 lt compared to 3 lt means the engine has to work harder (either more boost or more revs or a combination of both). this will have an imapct on longevity in the end. 2.5 lt in the Audi is the right weapon. Too bad BMW M135i is RWD.

Finally: 80K is too expensive, way overpriced for a 2 lt turbo. Buy an XR6 turbo (4 lt, less stress, more torque) and you still have a spare of ~ 35K which you can use to buy a 1 yr old Renault Megan Turbo.
- Dominique Vøn Hütch
  
  I’ve used the old “buy an XR6 Turbo” saying many a time – but it just doesn’t apply here, these techno euros have it beat.
- F1MotoGP
  
  What you saying is do not buy a house in Rose Bay (Toorak), buy one Croydon Park (Nunawading) and another in Bankstown (Scoresby)
  - Smart US
    
    it might work heaps better if you diversify your risks… and agreed w Greg… go for a test drive of A45 and then u see if its worth of 2nd mortgage
- Amlohac
  
  FFS STOP COMPARING LUXURY CARS TO FORD AND HOLDEN.
  
  Its just not even in the same ball park. People who buy these cars are not looking at a Falcon.
  - John
    
    no , but perhaps they should
    - JooberJCW
      
      Why, Merc revenue base is on margin not volume, plus ruins their brand image of premium luxury in Australia.
  - JJ
    
    Could not agree more. What the hell is a Ford or Holden even mentioned for?
    
    They are not even close to this ballpark. If this was an article about a Toyota Camry, then by all means, bring up Ford and Holden, but not when it’s an AMG.
    - Dave S
      
      The AMG is a great looking small car, but for that price you are looking at a HSV GTS – full size car with an extra 60+ kws.
      
      Oh on another note, i imagine the 1M will drop in price soon as these little AMG’s hit the market.
      - Jerome S
        
        Not everyone wants a giant v8 sedan. I would much rather the A-Class AMG, it will launch harder, track better, use less fuel and be easy as around town and parking.
  - Marvellous `Marvin Hagler
    
    Hey listen: in OZ this costs the same as 1 wrx + 1 golf gtd. I bet you in Europe this thing is less / much less than the cost of those two cars combined. A total rip off by Merc and Australian buyers äccept it”. Boycott their f****** products.
- TJ
  
  I think alot of the problem with the pricing in Aus is going to come down to the luxury car tax. As soon as a car is over $57k, the tax kicks in which is something like 30% from memory.
  - Supercharger
    
    LCT only applies for any amount over $57k. For example, a $57,001 car only pays $0.30 in luxury car tax.
Greg

Hey I know that but the point I want to make it: value for money wise it’s poor. I am sure in europe the price difference between this and say a WRX is much noarrower than it is downunder, Yes it is a good product but MERC rips teh buyers off.
Greg

Hey I know that but the point I want to make it: value for money wise it’s poor. I am sure in europe the price difference between this and say a WRX is much noarrower than it is downunder, Yes it is a good product but MERC rips teh buyers off.
- theillestlife
  
  sti is approx what, 65k here? id happily pay 15k more for an amg.
  
  and dont think its cause its euro, i love my jdm!
- JooberJCW
  
  True if you looking at a ‘Value’ proposition, but Merc’s brand in Australia isn’t, it is marketed as a premium brand exclusively for people who have that extra disposable income to burn. that extra $15k goes towards exclusivity and self-ego, which most yuppies want/have as a trait.
  - Phil
    
    I think you’ll find a a WRX STi has a pretty nasty and spartan interior. A extra $15K for a AMG Merc would be worth it for the interior alone.
- Supercharger
  
  WRX STi or Evo are actually $65k cars and cost around that much to actually produce. Given how much Merc overcharge and mark up their cars in Aus, a $80k Merc is actually a $40k car. Most likely that means that Merc A45′s actually $15k cheaper to produce than the STi or Evo, Merc got to use cheaper parts than the other 2 cars for sure. And… given Germans’ productivity level vs the extremely high Japanese productivity level (and wide robot use) where it’s not uncommon for Japanese to overwork for 4-5hrs a day for free, a $40k German product is probably equivalent to a $30k Japanese product in terms of productivity level.
  - Phil
    
    REALITY CHECK,
    
    Mitsubishi Evo price is USA: $34,495
    Subaru WRX STi price in USA: $34,095
    
    Included in that price would be a dealers margin of around %10 + a manufactuers margin of another %10, so you’d be taking %20 off that $35K price before you’d even get close to how little they cost to make.
  - Caprett
    
    I bet Merc are jealous they don’t have you on board as their financial analyst.
    Here is a projection for you, Mercedes – if you employ ‘Supercharger’ he will magically reduce your production costs to exactly half that of Subaru and Mitsubishi. Imagine all the money you have wasted on R & D. On a positive note it looks like he can source Japanese labour for free.
    
    The car will be brilliant, you get what you pay for as well as giving Julia and her crew some at the same time. Its Australia get on with it.
Jinnzhang

265KW from 2lt turbo, I hope it doesn’t blow up when it is driven hard, especially in summer.
- Jax
  
  ….& if it had less then you would be complaining & whining that it’s under powered.
  Have yo EVER made a positive comment in your life ?
- Jerome S
  
  Thats nothing, Evo X is only a tune and exhaust away from making the same power. No problems. Hell there are tons of evos in oz making 300kws at the wheels and have no problems.
Guest99

Seems like Merc hand the 2.0L car to the younger brother (AMG) …. and the younger bro cranked the boost to max + an extra 100% overboost lol …………. There’s no way Merc products could be as reliable as the 2.0L WRX and Lancer Evo in standard form which don’t make as nearly as much power.
- JooberJCW
  
  mate, its only like 30-40kw at the crank over a WRXSti or Evo, its not like a 300+awkw monster. These things can be easily done with a better flowing system, id say the merc engineers have coupled up a good intake system/exhaust and probably a more ported/polished internals and vwallah 265kw. Not to mention possibly better quality metals and components means you can push it harder. I’d love to know where this 265kw hits its peak on the Rev count.
  - F1
    
    Well obviously they’ve gone with a single (larger turbo) and since it makes that much power with 2.0L it won’t have as much low-end torque compared to 335i and other charged cars..
    
    The question is whether the block is iron or aluminum.. Iron would be much better for reliability and longevity..
    - JooberJCW
      
      We just cannot be sure until we get the techspecs, the power output could be from various reasons,
      > Simply a Bigger turbo;
      > Efficient air/exhaust flow dynamics;
      > mash up of technology
      > simply upping the boost.
      or a combination.
      
      Correct, naturally a 2ltr 4cyl doesnt have the low end torque as a 335 would, until it hits boost
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1798737057 Gianni Matthews

It looks fantastic! Finally a good looking A Class!
- Legnab
  
  AGREED cant wait to see in the flesh looks great in pics .
UMWHAT

no thanks
http://twitter.com/klowik klowik

I certainly pick the A-class among BMW /AUDI/ Lexus
Andrew

Don’t like the bejewelled front grille. Looks very pretentious, but maybe that’s what appeals to the demographic MB are aiming to. I would have thought an AMG & MB emblem would say enough without the Swarovski-inspired front.
F1

I’ve driven a WRX with ’300kW’ and trust me don’t let the numbers fool you, they’re not that great of a drive.. They don’t have a linear power delivery and you’re constantly revving them, traveling at 60Km/h and you are at 3500rpm .. Frustrating and quickly becomes annoying..

For ’300kW’ they also don’t really have power on tap, the only way you can take advantage of any power is if you stop and wind the motor up all the way to 5000rpm then launch..

I know I will get flamed for this but a Toyota Aurion with its 200kW V6 has a much better power/torque you can feel and has the power throughout the rpm range.. As soon as you plant your foot you get pushed into seat, that’s what any real wold driver would want??

Not to mention the normal 4-banger noise..

Now I’m not sure how Benz will execute this, but it’s possibility much the same as WRX etc

BMW M135i I-6 is better, it will have a better power feel and being smooth at the same time.. Throughout the RPMs

What really matters is power delivery, you can have very high output cars, but like he WRX they just aren’t as good as they may seem..
- Pro346
  
  umm you do realise a wrx has a boxer engine…..it doesnt sound like a normal four banger
- Kris
  
  I think the power delivery of the MB 2litre turbo will be linear and consistent. The Germans and the Japanese deliver 4 cylinder turbos VERY differently. I used to own a Liberty GT (2litre turbo) and the power was delivered in much the same way as you describe with the WRX not linear and usable all the time. I now own a new BMW 328i and it’s so smooth and powerful
  right across the rev range that you would think you are driving a well executed 6 cylinder (the only thing you miss is the sound). Comparing jap and german 4 cylinder turbos are chalk and cheese IMHO.
  - Guest99
    
    Ur comparing a 10-20yr old Liberty GT 2.0 turbo (with no variable valve timing) with the current BMW turbo. Try again with the latest turbo Subarus/Mitsis/Nissans with variable valve timing on both the inlet & outlet valves + variable valve lift, which deliver even better usable power than modern Porsche’s turbos.
    - Kris
      
      I also drove the current shap 2012 liberty gt 2.5 litre turbo before buying the 328i, the BMW was still street ahead in terms of linear power delivery and smoothness. My cousin also has a 2011 Mitsubishi Evolution which I looked after for 3 weeks while he was in the UK, similar story there too mate
    - Bones
      
      Subaru,Mitsu, Nissan has even better usable power than Porsche’s turbos?
      Are you sure ?
      Do you really believe that?
      That’s a confession that you’ve never driven a late model 911 turbo coz they’re absolutely ballistic.
      - Guest99
        
        That’s a confession that you’ve never driven a Nissan GTR (turbo).
Pirate Post Office

Wow… An ugly hot hatch… No thanks
Jr

Good thing Greece voters for austerity…….otherwise none of these high powered concepts would never materalize. Another GFC and the again the only car that will prevail is the GTI…..which looks to be more and more economical and efficient.
Greg C

We dont have the fuel in Australia to support these engines. Golf R looks expensive ?