Faster Mercedes-AMG A45 S, CLA45 S reach Oz

HOT on the heels of revealing its new GLA45 S hi-po small SUV, Mercedes-AMG has revealed Australian pricing of the related A45 S and CLA45 S hatch and four-door-coupe twins, along with local specification levels.

On sale now priced from $93,600 for the A45 S and $111,200 for the CLA45 S (both plus on-road costs), each is respectively around $15,000 and $19,000 more expensive than its predecessor.

This is mainly because only the punchier S variants will be sold here, dispatching a heady 310kW of power and 500Nm of torque compared with the regular 285kW/480Nm versions available overseas – not to mention a big 30kW/25Nm performance increase over the facelifted first-generation equivalents.

In addition to bragging rights that come with the most powerful 2.0-litre production engine to date are brisk 0-100km/h acceleration times of 3.9 seconds for the A45 S and 4.0s for the longer and heavier CLA45 S. The old models both completed the triple-digit sprint in 4.2s.

As per the high-riding GLA with which they share their underpinnings and powertrain, engine outputs are put to the road by Mercedes’ 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system via an eight-speed dual clutch automatic transmission.

Despite the sky-high outputs and performance, Mercedes-AMG claims both cars will return a combined fuel economy of 8.9 litres per 100km – when not deploying the standard ‘Race Start’ launch control system and exploring the 270km/h top speed.

The hatchback and four-door coupe share a basic cabin design and standard equipment levels, including a Burmester premium surround sound system, a black microfibre AMG Performance steering wheel with contrasting yellow stitching that is repeated on the heated and electrically operated leather sports seats.

Also included are wireless phone charging, smartphone mirroring, brushed aluminium trim, keyless entry and start, 64-colour ambient lighting, privacy glass and a panoramic glass roof.

The Mercedes MBUX multimedia system is also AMG-enhanced with access to numerous vehicle functions and data including gear speed and warm-up indicators, a G-meter, race timer, telemetry and engine data.

In addition to the latest “hey Mercedes” conversational voice recognition system is an extension of the MBUX system to the customisable digital instrument cluster .

While big on performance, the A45 S and CLA45 S are short changed on active safety and driver assistance technologies such as  which includes Driving Assistance Package Plus, Active Distance Assist, Distronic adaptive cruise control (including cross-traffic assist), Lane Change Assist, Parking Package featuring 360-degree camera, multibeam LED headlights with adaptive high beam and route-based speed adaptation.

Under the skin, both cars feature extensive body shell stiffening as well as AMG’s Ride Control adaptive damping system which allows drivers to choose from three different suspension settings, all of which automatically adjust hundreds of times a second to suit the prevailing driving conditions.

The AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system features new AMG Torque Control and Drift Mode functions courtesy of a hi-tech rear differential.

Stopping duties are taken care of by a set of six-pot callipers gripping 360mm ventilated and perforated discs up front while a single-pot floating setup at the rear clamps 330mm discs, again ventilated and perforated.

To maximise performance and get the best out of the cars both in town and on the racetrack, both models come as standard with six driver-selectable modes comprising Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Race and Individual.

To distinguish itself from the regular A-Class line-up and the lesser AMG A35, the A45 S brandishes a suite of aggressive looking visual enhancements designed to let the world know exactly which A-Class it is dealing with.

These include bigger, more angular air intakes, an AMG-specific radiator grille, wider front wings with flared wheel arches, four 90mm exhaust tips, a unique rear diffuser, lower side skirts, and an exclusive 19-inch alloy wheel design

An optional aero package adds a black rear spoiler as well as an aggressive front splitter and canards kit that adds winglets to the outer edges of the front bumper.

In creating the CLA45 S, designers did not have to go to quite the same extremes given the regular CLA already has wider front wings than the regular A-Class, though the CLA45 S does share similar enhancements to the air intakes, wheels, grille, side skirts, exhaust tips and an even more aggressive rear diffuser.

The optional aero package is also available on the CLA though it supplants the A45’s big wing with a more subtle lip-spoiler. Both cars score red brake callipers.

Boot space for the A45 S is rated at 370 litres with split-folding rear seats up – the same as all A-Class hatchbacks – and 1210 litres when folded flat.

Owing to its extra length, the CLA betters the hatchback on boot space, offering 460 litres.

2020 Mercedes-AMG A-Class pricing*

2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs