2016 AMG A45 - An ode to simplicity? Not really.

[Josh84]

neilbauer said:

Very nice

Thank you sir!

[Josh84]

Some random interior snaps of suspension settings and the like. Interface is not as sleek as the M3's Idrive system but still fairly intuitive.

[Mr Tidy]

Josh84 said:

Cheers guys.

Coming from an M3 with 6 cylinders, I'd have to say that the A45 Is every bit an AMG with 4 cylinders. Gone are the days where performance sub- brands were dominated by beastly 8 cylinder engines. I've personally come to accept it.

For everyday driving the A45 (the AMG lol) provides just the right amount of fun.

So glad you don't have to suffer a "beastly" 8 cylinder engine in your A-Class - although it just might have made it vaguely desirable! And it would have sounded so much better in a tunnel!

But each to their own...!

Surely you could have bought an STi or Evo for far less money if you were set upon only 4 cylinders and chippable turbo stuff?

Seems very PlayStation to me, but then I am getting on in years!

[Josh84]

Mr Tidy said:

So glad you don't have to suffer a "beastly" 8 cylinder engine in your A-Class - although it just might have made it vaguely desirable! And it would have sounded so much better in a tunnel!

But each to their own...!

Surely you could have bought an STi or Evo for far less money if you were set upon only 4 cylinders and chippable turbo stuff?

Seems very PlayStation to me, but then I am getting on in years!

Haha well said!

Although, the c63 and A45 are like apples and oranges. I wanted a quick AWD daily with a decent/comfortable interior. In my opinion, I wouldn't get the latter quality in the STI or EVO.

Further to this, cars like the E92 M3 and C63 are really meant to be enjoyed in an open road at speeds well above the legal limit on my daily commutes to work. It is a different sort of car that has its own purpose and role.

Whilst I can relate to the general infatuation with NA 8-cylinder engines, the simple fact of the matter is that times are changing and technology has led to more "chippable turbo stuff" for better or worse.

Bottom line is that not all A45 owners are C63 (or similar) aspirants.

Edited by Josh84 on Wednesday 17th February 04:05

[ORD]

I, for one, really do think I get it. There are plenty of people who just want ease of performance for a day-to-day car. One of these very highly boosted 4 cyl engines is fine for that. I think what saddens people is the idea that they are any kind of replacement for the engines that you want in a Sunday morning car.

[ubbs]

ZX10R NIN said:

That's a nicely turned A45 I like the upgrades, the reason for the slight lag is to do with the turbo is larger so has to get on boost but the upside is a stronger top end.

I have a friend with a DSG Golf R uprated to 390bhp & a mate 410bhp 4wd Cossie 0-70 the Golfs just goes after that the Cossie owns the Golf, the lag on his Hybrid T4 is obvious while the R feels seamless you do notice the lessened shove from 70+ also as a side bar the cossie feels like more of an event.

What I'm saying is embrace the lag when I drove a CLA it seemed to be a very small delay & I wasn't sure if it was the throttle software or lag or maybe a bit of both.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 14th February 10:10

The a45 dct gearbox is torque limited in the first 2 gears, it's much more noticeable when cold but is there all the time, I preferred the stronic in the rs3 my self which didn't have this feature, but that said I've not heard of broken prop shafts and popped transfer boxes on the 45, plenty on the ttrs and rs3

[Monkeylegend]

Do the suspension mods affect the Mercedes warranty in any way?

[5tevo]

Josh84 said:

Haha well said!

Although, the c63 and A45 are like apples and oranges. I wanted a quick AWD daily with a decent/comfortable interior. In my opinion, I wouldn't get the latter quality in the STI or EVO.

Further to this, cars like the E92 M3 and C63 are really meant to be enjoyed in an open road at speeds well above the legal limit on my daily commutes to work. It is a different sort of car that has its own purpose and role.

Whilst I can relate to the general infatuation with NA 8-cylinder engines, the simple fact of the matter is that times are changing and technology has led to more "chippable turbo stuff" for better or worse.

Bottom line is that not all A45 owners are C63 (or similar) aspirants.

Edited by Josh84 on Wednesday 17th February 04:05

Lovely car in every way and what I'll be trading my C63 (PP/Dif) in or in a year or so.

I fancy a Brabus one which I happened across up at MSL end of last year.

[Carlos24]

Absolutely awesome, I think they look mega with the spoiler as well...

[Josh84]

Thanks guys! Agree about the torque limited gearing. I'm getting used to it.

This is the sort of car that wants to be pushed and thrown into corners. There is something very frenetic about the whole driving experience that I've only just come to appreciate and enjoy.

Edited by Josh84 on Sunday 28th February 22:34

[Josh84]

Took it out for a spin this weekend. Pretty impressed with its handling and the preciseness with how it goes about with its business. Having driven the RS3 and A45, I'd say the RS3 is the more fun car while the A45 has more brutal urgency about it.



Will be taking it out through the windy roads of the Great Ocean Road in Melbourne, Australia next week. More pics and comments/impressions to follow after.

[Chr1sch]

Lovely stance and aggression to it, you must be very pleased!

[5harp3y]

Josh84 said:

Took it out for a spin this weekend. Pretty impressed with its handling and the preciseness with how it goes about with its business. Having driven the RS3 and A45, I'd say the RS3 is the more fun car while the A45 has more brutal urgency about it.



Will be taking it out through the windy roads of the Great Ocean Road in Melbourne, Australia next week. More pics and comments/impressions to follow after.

This looks insane! and thats brilliant.

if only BMW, AUDI, Volvo, VW had the balls to build something with as many wings!

[Josh84]

Thanks guys!

Took it for a spin around the great ocean road in Melbourne with "race mode" on throughout and what a drive it was! It's a confidence inspiring machine. What it lacks in driver engagement, it makes up for in terms of handling efficiency. It is a serious, no nonsense hatch despite the funky spoiler at the back and the ludicrous over-the-top exhaust crackles

[Escort3500]

Josh84 said:

Thanks. That was just the look I was going for.

Ha ha, great response The spoiler is bound to divide opinion; for me it's just too much. Otherwise it's a great car and that grey looks stunning.

[Josh84]

Escort3500 said:

Ha ha, great response The spoiler is bound to divide opinion; for me it's just too much. Otherwise it's a great car and that grey looks stunning.

Thanks very much! The spoiler does stand out indeed.


....

It has been a while since my last post. The car is going in for a custom tune in the coming week. Apart from a wider rear track and carbon side lips, no new additions have taken place. The more I drive it, the more I've come to appreciate its essence as a hothatch. For those with Instagram, more pics are located at @joshtrippingwords

[Too Late]

Yep, i like like that alot....

[epom]

You can cut the grass with it too? What an all rounder 😬

[joshleb]

Absolutely love that, saddens me when I see A45's without the spoiler and the kit!

Wondered about those carbon strakes on the front, do they protrude enough to slice a leg if too close? Saw one in traffic last year and they looked pretty sharp!

[Mezzanine]

I think those wheels are a vast improvement, really finish off the aggressive look of the car.