Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ launched in India, prices start at Rs 79.50 lakh

To the delight of us petrolheads, India is a thriving market for performance cars. Exotic supercars are no longer a novelty to spot, and even though there are plenty of go-faster SUVs and super-saloons on sale, what we have lacked is a hot hatchback to satisfy our performance itch. Mercedes-AMG seems to have heard our prayers, and have launched the A 45 S performance hatch on our shores, with prices starting at Rs 79.50 lakh (ex-showroom).

India’s fastest hatchback

Under the hood of the A 45 is a 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a twin scroll turbocharger that produces 415bhp at 6750rpm, along with 500Nm of torque. This engine, which is the world’s most powerful turbocharged four-cylinder, is mated to an eight-speed DCT transmission, which sends power to all four wheels via the fully-variable all-wheel drive system. 0-100kmph comes up in 3.9 seconds, making the A 45 S 4MATIC+ the fastest hatchback in India, ever. The engine has been packaged in manner to ensure the configuration is as flat as possible, allowing for an aerodynamically advantageous front section design. And like any other AMG, this engine follows the one man, one engine philosophy, being assembled by hand at Affalterbach. Helping to tame the performance of the A 45 are a host of electronic aids including AMG Torque Control, six AMG Dynamic Select Driving Modes, and AMG Track Pace, which acts as your personal racing engineer and is fully integrated into the MBUX infotainment. There’s also a Drift Mode, which pretty much defines its function, and if you’re feeling loony-headed, you can always opt for the Performance Package that endows the hot hatch with a top speed of 270kmph.

AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ design

Even without peering under the hood or looking at the power figures, you instinctively know that the AMG 45 S 4MATIC+ is a fast car, and that’s all down to the way it looks. At the front is the AMG-specific Panamericana grille, along with bits to aid the aero. You also get wider front wings, flared wheel arches which house the matte black AMG alloy wheels.

To make sure that no one mistakes the A 45 S for a lesser Mercedes, you have quad-exhaust pipes poking out at the back. Couple those compact but aggressive dimensions with the optional Sun Yellow colour scheme, and the A 45 S is quite the eyeball-grabber.

AMG A 45 S interiors

The interiors of the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S continue with the theme of sportiness, with the driver and passenger getting contoured AMG sport seats. The upholstery is a combination of black ARTICO man made leather and DINAMICA microfibre, with contrast double stitching in red. Also in red are the seat belts, which really highlight the feeling of being in a hard, performance focused machine. As with all Mercedes’ you continue to get a slab of digital real estate with the MBUX infotainment and digital instruments that have customisable displays.

With prices starting at Rs 79.50 lakh, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ currently sits in a sweet spot, with no direct competitors to speak of currently. In terms of alternatives, the BMW M340i and Audi S5 are cheaper than the Mercedes, but significantly down on power. It’s only a matter of time before Mercedes-AMG’s rivals descend on the performance hatchback segment but as of now, the A 45 S 4MATIC+ looks to be a really promising hot hatchback!