RE: Mercedes A45 AMG: Review

[red_slr]

Hmmm, think its time to remap the RS6.. LOL.

[NGK210]

Crafty_ said:

these were posted to an earlier thread, but hi res pics of the engine : http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mercedes-benz-a45-a...

If they could just take £20k off the price I can order one

I know a Merc sales guy through a friend, I'll try and get some info.

Hmm, it seems the A45's 2.0L turbo, the M133, is designed by M-B's UK-based F1 engine gang, HPE in Brixworth, and there's suggestion the M133's tech/know-how is derived from an abandoned F1 project: before Ferrari (rightly) threw a hissy and said, "No, we want a V6 turbo!", 2014 F1 engine regs stipulated an inline 4-cyl, 1.6 turbo. And, allegedly, HPE was already at bench-testing stage when the latter was axed.

Specifically, the M133 allegedly shares the 4-cyl F1's "7mm wall thickness and 90mm bore centre space", according to a Feb '12 Autocar article - http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/mercede...

Whatever the hype, it's excellent to have a light-ish (148kg, incl turbo etc) petrol engine that has the oomph of an extra potent rice rocket, yet is also tractable, with CO2 levels and MPG to make a 335d owner scowl.

Imagine if M-B lobbed the M133 into an MX5-sized/weight RWD 2-seater, styled without the SLK's chintz...

[LuS1fer]

I keep coming up behind these A Classes and thinking it's a Kia.

Shocking styling. Can't argue with 360hp though but the looks would stop me in my tracks.

[Ecosseven]

lgomgf said:

Ali_T said:

Just too expensive. By the time you add the exhaust and 19 inch wheels featured in almost every picture, it's £40k, and that's far too much for a hot hatch.

agreed...

+2. No matter how fast this car is when I look at a Fiesta ST for £17k (or less through internet brokers) which is probably huge fun, I just can't see the value for money in the merc.

[NGK210]

Sure, c. £40k ain't cheap. But it's not bad for a well-made, compact, practical, all-weather car that's a fun steer - and off-the-line can smoke all current Astons, Jags and Porsche's 911 Carrera S and Boxster S, etc. Yet, the A45 will probably average c. 30mpg and, tyres and brake pads/discs accepted, cost more or less the same as any other A-class to service.

Reckon the A45's going to be popular with types who work on location, earn a decent crust and need a 'sensible' car - eg, film and TV tech crew, photographers, architects, serial killers, etc.

Surely, a 3-yr-old, depreciation-hit A45 will be very tempting; especially with a modest/credible remap to nudge it up to 390-400bhp?

Edited by NGK210 on Sunday 16th June 20:21

[nicfaz]

NGK210 said:

Anyone else think that carbonfibre trim is starting to look naff, overused and a bit 'dorky bloke'?

With rolls of carbonfibre wrap now relatively cheap, and every yoof with a Saxo/Nova/Civic/etc coating everything from their dash to their wheels in 'carbon', it's all a bit Saturday night McDs car park.



Or maybe I'm just getting old

Edited by NGK210 on Thursday 13th June 16:48

No, I'm with you. If the carbon ain't functional, it's now officially naff.

[NGK210]

nicfaz said:

NGK210 said:

Anyone else think that carbonfibre trim is starting to look naff, overused and a bit 'dorky bloke'?

With rolls of carbonfibre wrap now relatively cheap, and every yoof with a Saxo/Nova/Civic/etc coating everything from their dash to their wheels in 'carbon', it's all a bit Saturday night McDs car park.



Or maybe I'm just getting old

Edited by NGK210 on Thursday 13th June 16:48

No, I'm with you. If the carbon ain't functional, it's now officially naff.

[BlueMR2]

NGK210 said:

Crafty_ said:

these were posted to an earlier thread, but hi res pics of the engine : http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mercedes-benz-a45-a...

If they could just take £20k off the price I can order one

I know a Merc sales guy through a friend, I'll try and get some info.

Hmm, it seems the A45's 2.0L turbo, the M133, is designed by M-B's UK-based F1 engine gang, HPE in Brixworth, and there's suggestion the M133's tech/know-how is derived from an abandoned F1 project: before Ferrari (rightly) threw a hissy and said, "No, we want a V6 turbo!", 2014 F1 engine regs stipulated an inline 4-cyl, 1.6 turbo. And, allegedly, HPE was already at bench-testing stage when the latter was axed.

Specifically, the M133 allegedly shares the 4-cyl F1's "7mm wall thickness and 90mm bore centre space", according to a Feb '12 Autocar article - http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/mercede...

Whatever the hype, it's excellent to have a light-ish (148kg, incl turbo etc) petrol engine that has the oomph of an extra potent rice rocket, yet is also tractable, with CO2 levels and MPG to make a 335d owner scowl.

Imagine if M-B lobbed the M133 into an MX5-sized/weight RWD 2-seater, styled without the SLK's chintz...

This would make an interesting engine for a number of kit cars.

[Wills2]

LuS1fer said:

I keep coming up behind these A Classes and thinking it's a Kia.

Glad I'm not the only one.

[Wolands Advocate]

NGK210 said:

Reckon the A45's going to be popular with types who work on location, earn a decent crust and need a 'sensible' car - eg,[...] serial killers, etc.

[Oddball RS]

Ecosseven said:

lgomgf said:

Ali_T said:

Just too expensive. By the time you add the exhaust and 19 inch wheels featured in almost every picture, it's £40k, and that's far too much for a hot hatch.

agreed...

+2. No matter how fast this car is when I look at a Fiesta ST for £17k (or less through internet brokers) which is probably huge fun, I just can't see the value for money in the merc.

I think you would need to drive both before you can stand by that kind of statement.

[LuS1fer]

Oddball RS said:

I think you would need to drive both before you can stand by that kind of statement.

They are hardly comparable. In fact, they are not comparable. One has 360hp, the other has less than 200....so twice the power for twice the price.

[Daniel1]

This sort of engine technology is what subaru and Mitsubishi needed to save the impreza and evo.

[Du1point8]

LuS1fer said:

Oddball RS said:

I think you would need to drive both before you can stand by that kind of statement.

They are hardly comparable. In fact, they are not comparable. One has 360hp, the other has less than 200....so twice the power for twice the price.

twice the drive too... no?

[LuS1fer]

Du1point8 said:

twice the drive too... no?

Certainly twice as ugly....and that's saying something

[Du1point8]

LuS1fer said:

Du1point8 said:

twice the drive too... no?

Certainly twice as ugly....and that's saying something

I want that engine in the SLK....

Would be very nice and I think would be a winner... not sure of a 4wd slk though.

[s m]

If you prefer more "saloony" looks they also do much the same thing in the CLA45 AMG

Steve Sutcliffe had one for a drive round.......

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/video-mercedes-...

[Wills2]

s m said:

If you prefer more "saloony" looks they also do much the same thing in the CLA45 AMG

Steve Sutcliffe had one for a drive round.......

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/video-mercedes-...

I like the look of that, but sounds like the Merc press office for forgot add some "PR sauce" to the engine before they gave it to him.

[Guffy]

Test drove the A45 AMG today, loved it so much I bought one.

Yes it's expensive for a hatch, mine will be £42k with a sprinkling of options, but it's a great drive, the cabin is top class and it looks much nicer in the flesh (often said I know). Was particularly impressed by the it's cornering and abilities and accurate steering and the boy in me loved the rorty parp on the up-change

Get mine early October

[Ordinary_Chap]

Oddball RS said:

Ecosseven said:

lgomgf said:

Ali_T said:

Just too expensive. By the time you add the exhaust and 19 inch wheels featured in almost every picture, it's £40k, and that's far too much for a hot hatch.

agreed...

+2. No matter how fast this car is when I look at a Fiesta ST for £17k (or less through internet brokers) which is probably huge fun, I just can't see the value for money in the merc.

I think you would need to drive both before you can stand by that kind of statement.

I'm surprised someone would dare to post that.

They really are chalk and cheese. The Merc is a highly impressive rocket and the Fiesta is a very lightly breathed on shopping hatch.

Really this is night and day difference in every respect from quality, to technology to performance. As cars of the similar size they couldn't be anymore different.

My Impreza can harass cars 10-20 times the value but does it mean some of them aren't worth the cost increase? No of course not because most of them are beautifully crafted and are built on a level my Impreza can't even dream of.