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the AMG’s DTM team, so it’s anything
but subtle.
Inside, it’s more of the same with
lots of ‘artico’ material covering the
dashboard, sporty bucket seats, fixed
metal shift paddles and lots of red trim
accents. It’s a case of loving or hating it
but there’s a real sense this is an interior
created by a youthful design team. Being
an AMG badged car, it’s also packed
with kit and there’s a nice big 7-inch
COMMAND screen to play with.
Space however is a little tight in the
back seats. Then again, buyers of the
Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG don’t have
practical concerns too high up on their
priorities list. They’re more interested in
how it looks and performs and what it
says about them.
Ultimately, this is a Mercedes-Benz
for those who put performance ahead of
premium and excitement over subtlety.
It’s not the best AMGmodel available but
it’s relatively affordable at RM346,888
and delivers enough performance to
make you think about the three-pointed
star the next time you’re considering a
sporty car.
straight line. Sporting low profile 235/35
R19 rubber on some sexy multi-spoke
wheels, they provide lots of cornering grip
while 4MATIC does its best to apportion
drive to each corner. Ultimately, the A45
AMG will understeer when it runs out
of grip but it’s easily quelled by the ESP
electronics or a quick lift of the throttle.
This isn’t really a car to finesse over
winding roads, rather it requires a
traditional slow in and fast out approach
where the power of the engine will rocket
it towards the next curve. Powerful brakes
are important in such a car and the A45
has them. It also has a decently pliant
ride and though it never really settles into
a typically comfortable Mercedes-Benz
gait, there’s enough bump absorption to
make daily use possible.
Matching the performance are looks
that are more aggressive than any other
Mercedes-Benz. The basic A-Class shape
is a little nondescript, but when you add
the AMG aero pack, it takes on a whole
new personality. There’s a deep front
spoiler, multi-spoke alloys, an enormous
roof mounted rear wing and slats on the
front that seem to have been stolen from
Factf ile
Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG
PriceMALAYsia
RM346,888
0-100km/h
4.6 secs
Top speed
250km/h
Engine
Inline-4, 1991cc, turbocharged
Installation
Front, transverse, AWD
Power
355bhp at 6000rpm
Torque
450Nmat 2250rpm
Fuel consumption
14.5km/l
Gearbox
7-speed dual-clutch auto
Kerbweight
1555kg
Wheelbase
2699mm
Length
4292mm
Width
1780mm
Height
1433mm
Brakes (f/r)
Ventilated&perforated disc
Tyres (f/r)
235/35 R19