Mercedes-AMG A45 Petronas: Spotted

Just how big a Mercedes F1 fan are you? Here's your chance to prove it!

A cursory scout around the PH classifieds reveals all manner of motorsport inspired special editions. There's everything, from cars as cool and interesting as a Talbot Sunbeam Lotus Essex F1 and a GT-R Bathurst replica, to those as dubious as a Martini wrapped Focus RS and Yaris SRMotorsport Edition.

Mmm, petrol green

But this could be the worst. Or rather, the best. The Mercedes Benz AMG A45 Petronas 2015 World Champion Edition was a special edition unknown to us at PH, at least until recently when Mercedes fan Dan was looking for a car to get a friend out of an Audi S3. Here's something! Apparently the Audi isn't for sale just yet...

The Petronas Edition was launched at the end of Lewis Hamilton's championship-winning season in 2015. You suspect the current world champion won't receive the same treatment. It was - and most probably still is - mechanically standard, meaning 381hp (note this is an AMG A45, and not an A45 AMG) and 350lb ft from the 2.0-litre turbo. Interestingly the Petronas cars all had the optional Dynamic Plus pack too, which brings the limited-slip differential on the front and adaptive damping.

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But you don't want to know about all that, do you? The key distinguishing points (in case you hadn't spotted them) of a Petronas Edition are the 'petrol green' graphics - including a 'rim flange' for the wheels - an aero pack comprising a bigger front splitter, front canards and a rear wing plus three shades of grey paint to choose from: mountain grey, designo mountain grey and polar silver. Lovely.

There's more, too. According to Mercedes the interior "also radiates a racing atmosphere", what with the badges, the electronically adjustable leather seats and the petrol green rings in the air vents. Just like a race car. And check out those seat belts!

Mmm, more petrol green

The car was launched at the end of the 2015 season, with sales commencing over here early last year. There are in fact two for sale on PH at the moment, offered in grey or grey. Sorry, silver. They're both for sale at £43,000 which, given their age and mileage, isn't absurd as far as A45s go. And if silver isn't your thing, how about Elbaite Green?

Alright, we're being a little silly now. The A45 is a car PH likes a great deal, blessed with a great engine, brilliant brakes and very clever damping. Alright, perhaps its overall demeanour is a little too serious, but there remains a lot to like about it. Moreover, it can be an extremely subtle way to travel very quickly. If you don't wish to "share the success of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg" with a Petronas Edition, how about this A45? It's as cheap as they get at £25K but probably the most discreet too, in black with the standard wheels. With so many AMG Sport cars around, it would be very hard to identify this car without the badge.

There's variety aplenty as far as A45s go then, with CLAs and GLAs also available. If you really want to stand out though, it would appear the Petronas 2015 World Champion Edition is the way to go.

MERCEDES-AMG A45 PETRONAS 2015 WORLD CHAMPION EDITION
Engine: 1,991cc 4-cyl, turbocharged
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 381@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 350@2,250-5,000rpm
MPG: 40.9mpg (claimed)
CO2: 162g/km
First registered: 2016
Recorded mileage: 2,000
Price new: £39,995 (standard A45)
Yours for: £42,990

See the original advert here.

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patmahe

Original Poster

5,756 posts

205 months

[report]

[news]

Thursday 5th January 2017

Oh dear!

I have no problem with an 'F1 special' in theory, but if it has no actual mechanical enhancements over the car on which its based then at the very least it needs to look good (think John player Esprit). This is just a (admittedly decent) hatch with some stickers on it.

I'd stick with a standard one if I was going that way I think. So its a no from me.