RE: 2020 Mercedes-AMG A45 S | UK Review
Discussion
Honeywell said:
I’ve been driving this afternoon right across South and Mid Wales in my GT86 with a sports exhaust and mild remap and I wouldn’t want this Merc at half th list price. It’s just the blokeish fallacy of more benign better. More grip, more power, more speed.
If you thrashed this car on the public road like I did mine today you’d end up in the Morgue or the Crown Court within short order. Where’s the balance? Where’s the car moving around on the edge of grip? Where’s the cheeky power oversteer on the wet roundabout? Where’s the beautifully rev matched gear change under braking?
Plus it looks like it’s been styled by a 16yr oldlad with a Saturday job in Demon Tweaks.
I am sure they will sell by the bucketload. I don’t get it though. It looks like not much fun - remember fun? - wrapped up in a package that requires a lot of compromises on everything but raw thrust. I think I’d have more driving pleasure in a 2CV.
For the type of driving you've described above, I personally wouldn't get a GT86 and then try and make it better. I'd get a more focused and actual sports car. For the day to day commute on busy public roads and occasional fun when it's a little quiet, I'd happily take an A45.If you thrashed this car on the public road like I did mine today you’d end up in the Morgue or the Crown Court within short order. Where’s the balance? Where’s the car moving around on the edge of grip? Where’s the cheeky power oversteer on the wet roundabout? Where’s the beautifully rev matched gear change under braking?
Plus it looks like it’s been styled by a 16yr oldlad with a Saturday job in Demon Tweaks.
I am sure they will sell by the bucketload. I don’t get it though. It looks like not much fun - remember fun? - wrapped up in a package that requires a lot of compromises on everything but raw thrust. I think I’d have more driving pleasure in a 2CV.
Edited by eddharris on Tuesday 18th February 21:27
Edited by eddharris on Tuesday 18th February 21:28
Gitwhoismiserable said:
MB140 said:
My mate picked up his a35 amg last week. Took me for a spin in it yesterday (revs limited to under 4K). I was very impressed indeed with how it drove and went (considering rev limit), I must admit some of the interior is a bit brash for me.
Unfortunately I don’t do pcp etc. I just buy so the rrp does matter to me. I would want the aero package. It does become very expensive. Maybe as a used approved in the future I will pick one up. But not at rrp. But then I change my mind so often so who knows.
I’m with you there buy only, pcp is for peasants Unfortunately I don’t do pcp etc. I just buy so the rrp does matter to me. I would want the aero package. It does become very expensive. Maybe as a used approved in the future I will pick one up. But not at rrp. But then I change my mind so often so who knows.
It’s just my personal choice.
Pcp is for others. Choose what suits your requirements.
But at £50k+ rrp then it’s out of my price range for what it is.
Edited by MB140 on Tuesday 18th February 21:40
t at least this new one is better in every department. And no evolution AMG model that was pants.Would be very interesting to see what could be done with this car; with regard to weight savings-carbon panels, aluminum chassis parts, exhaust, bushings, wheels, coilovers, reprogrammed electric steering, rose-jointing etc. This could be modified into one hell of a tactile machine. j
Dolf Stoppard said:
Given that this is Pistonheads do people not get this is how the motoring world tends to work? The vast majority of performance cars are based on fairly mundane platforms. But when you take into account the speed, tech, handling and the fact it can carry four in relative comfort, it's not especially expensive.
The new A class is at least somewhat more deserving of being a Mercedes. It feels a step up inside from the competition. I'm intrigued by the CLA45S shooting break and the 4wd system which is still clear of 2 tonnes by some margin unlike other luxury offerings. That said, if you want lots of performance for your money, get a Seat or something...
(my Cupra ST 3 yrs ago cost the same as a A180 130bhp base model, 10k on it's quicker than this A45s past 40mph (fwd), still eu6 and reliable, manual and 250kg lighter and it's an estate on top of it...)
I wouldn't be in the market for this type of car, simply because no hatchback is suited to my every day needs (even if I do actually own a 205 1.9GTi - but that's another story!). But having said that, I can still respect it for what it is - and I think it is fu€&1ng excellent!! The price is the price - we live in a world of £100k+ Caymans and £72k Meganes, so I can see it being justified if it ticks all the boxes for the person who wants it. But I'm glad the thing exists and could definitely see it on a shortlist if I was in the market for a new 'Hyper-Hatch'.
Honeywell said:
I’ve been driving this afternoon right across South and Mid Wales in my GT86 with a sports exhaust and mild remap and I wouldn’t want this Merc at half th list price. It’s just the blokeish fallacy of more benign better. More grip, more power, more speed.
If you thrashed this car on the public road like I did mine today you’d end up in the Morgue or the Crown Court within short order. Where’s the balance? Where’s the car moving around on the edge of grip? Where’s the cheeky power oversteer on the wet roundabout? Where’s the beautifully rev matched gear change under braking?
Plus it looks like it’s been styled by a 16yr oldlad with a Saturday job in Demon Tweaks.
I am sure they will sell by the bucketload. I don’t get it though. It looks like not much fun - remember fun? - wrapped up in a package that requires a lot of compromises on everything but raw thrust. I think I’d have more driving pleasure in a 2CV.
That complaint can be levelled at pretty much every modern performance car, hell even far more modest cars will get you into a lot of trouble with the boys in blue. If you thrashed this car on the public road like I did mine today you’d end up in the Morgue or the Crown Court within short order. Where’s the balance? Where’s the car moving around on the edge of grip? Where’s the cheeky power oversteer on the wet roundabout? Where’s the beautifully rev matched gear change under braking?
Plus it looks like it’s been styled by a 16yr oldlad with a Saturday job in Demon Tweaks.
I am sure they will sell by the bucketload. I don’t get it though. It looks like not much fun - remember fun? - wrapped up in a package that requires a lot of compromises on everything but raw thrust. I think I’d have more driving pleasure in a 2CV.
Court_S said:
That complaint can be levelled at pretty much every modern performance car, hell even far more modest cars will get you into a lot of trouble with the boys in blue.
Indeed. I've never understood it when people make this comment on PH. If you thrash a crappy Nissan Micra you can still get into trouble with the law or the hospital.People don't necessarily buy performance cars to thrash them. I don't.
Edited by Tim bo on Wednesday 19th February 07:59
Arsecati said:
I wouldn't be in the market for this type of car, simply because no hatchback is suited to my every day needs (even if I do actually own a 205 1.9GTi - but that's another story!). But having said that, I can still respect it for what it is - and I think it is fu€&1ng excellent!! The price is the price - we live in a world of £100k+ Caymans and £72k Meganes, so I can see it being justified if it ticks all the boxes for the person who wants it. But I'm glad the thing exists and could definitely see it on a shortlist if I was in the market for a new 'Hyper-Hatch'.
Very good point mentioning the Mégane... Wonder if this AMG can beat it round a track? Gweeds said:
Loving the idea that 'thrashing a GT86 with a sports exhaust and mild remap' means you'd magically stay under every speed limit.
To be fair though with only 151 Ib/ft torque...you are going to have to be trying pretty hard to break the speed limit...and I'd be chuffed with only that amount if it got me up a steep hill! 
I constantly moaned about only having 295 Ib/ft torque in my E92 M3...I'd probably have a mental breakdown in a GT86!
Gweeds said:
Loving the idea that 'thrashing a GT86 with a sports exhaust and mild remap' means you'd magically stay under every speed limit.
Ha, you'll want an up! GTI for that!As always, the A45 throws up an impressive set of numbers but doubts about how fun it'll be to drive.
I suppose it's arguably the ultimate 1 car garage but you could get yourself a capable family/daily and a cracking weekend special for £51k.
Jonno02 said:
It’s just the blokeish fallacy of more benign better
my GT86 with a sports exhaust and mild remap
Oh the irony...
More revs and eliminating the emissions torque dip were the primary aims. I have a wafty V8 in the garage and a BMW535d (also remapped) for thrust competitions. For a thrash through Wales for fun a GT86 (lower centre of gravity than a Cayman don't you know) is by far the best choice.my GT86 with a sports exhaust and mild remap
Oh the irony...
These overboosted crazy power massive grip auto box hatches just leave me baffled as to where the driving fun is?
PH is predictable and point out the obvious.
So I'll do my part. It's true, I had a lot more fun in my GT86 at speeds that kept you license, then with my current hot hatch that has the A45s pace whilst still being manual and not half as much heavier as the A45s is compared to the 86...
Still wouldn't mind a cla45s SB... But going luxury, nice dynamic 4wd, auto and heavier weight, maybe a M340d estate is more the usuable formula...
So I'll do my part. It's true, I had a lot more fun in my GT86 at speeds that kept you license, then with my current hot hatch that has the A45s pace whilst still being manual and not half as much heavier as the A45s is compared to the 86...
Still wouldn't mind a cla45s SB... But going luxury, nice dynamic 4wd, auto and heavier weight, maybe a M340d estate is more the usuable formula...
Edited by Onehp on Wednesday 19th February 10:02
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