The A 45 – the most powerful hot hatchback on sale, and with currently the most powerful four-cylinder engine in production – is meant to open up AMG to a host of potential fans who have hitherto been denied access to the high-priced, usually V8-powered cars from Mercedes’ sporting arm. It’ll also add extra gravitas to styling kits and trim levels featuring AMG badging.
So not only is the A 45 a different kind of AMG product, but it’s also a different kind of hot hatch. It’s got part-time four-wheel drive system. It’s also expensive. And with 355bhp, it’s a powerful hot hatch. However, in 2015 Audi decided to snatch that crown with its RS3, before the AMG division upped the ante by turing up the wick and giving the A 45 an unprecedented 376bhp.
