20 years ago an RS Audi was a
4WD estate
in 2013
. Likewise, a BMW M3 came with a straight-six engine plus a choice of bodystyles. The name
may be different now
, but the ideology remains similar.
Now consider AMG. Back in 1993, the lowest rung on its ladder was the C36, a 280hp bruiser chugging its straight-six power through a languid four-speed auto. Today we have the A45 as the entry-level AMG, a 360hp, dual-clutch ball of fury that pushes the hot hatch boundaries yet another stage further.
It’s quite a transformation, and one that will be detailed fully on PH in a feature next week on two decades of collaborative Mercedes-AMG vehicles. For now, here’s a teaser in wallpaper form, perhaps even a scarlet screensaver if you wish.
Following the C36 comparison, the A45 went on to feature with its hot hatch contemporaries in a spectacular two days, another ‘full story coming soon’ piece. A few absorbing days of driving the latest mega Merc has given Dan plenty to mull over ahead of next week’s story...