2020 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S and CLA 45 S pricing revealed
Prices rise for powerful small performance car duo; so too does the dynamic capabilityThe rapid new Mercedes-AMG A 45 S hot hatch and its corresponding Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S four-door coupe twin have hit the Australian market.
Prices are up across the board, but so too is the capability of the factory tuner’s potent small car duo, which we first tested in Spain mid-2019.
In Australia, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S will be priced from $93,600 (plus on-road costs), while the CLA 45 S will be priced from $111,200 (plus on-road costs) – significant jumps of between $18,000 and $20,000 from their direct predecessors.
Both arrive in Australia sporting the most powerful production four-cylinder engine ever produced, packing 310kW and 500Nm, along with a complete redesign. The manufacturer says that the scope of the redesign runs “from the engine and transmission through the chassis, the elaborately constructed drivetrain to the body structure and of course the design itself – all with one goal: to raise vehicle dynamics and the sporty driving experience to a level previously unimaginable in the compact class.”
With the new Mercedes-AMG A 35 helping the three-pointed star occupy the junior performance ranks for $26,000 less than the more potent A 45 S – likewise for the CLA 35 which is nearly $28,000 less – Mercedes-Benz Australia is confident both halo models will continue to be a hit with enthusiasts locally.
Along with a fiery four-pot engine, which boasts 30kW and 25Nm more than before, the Audi RS3 rivals get an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive system replete with drift mode as standard.
The Mercedes-AMG A 45 S claims a 0-100km/h time of 3.9 seconds, while the CLA 45 S is just behind it at 4.0 seconds.
An AMG drive mode selector is likewise standard, offering adjustment for the adaptive dampers, throttle response, steering and traction control systems – from Comfort to feral Race mode.
The cars’ sportier presence is supported by aggressive body kits, wider wheel arches and a new front grille design.
Inside, both cabins feature dual 10.25-inch MBUX display screens as seen on other Mercs – one controlling the multimedia, the other for instrumentation. There are also AMG-specific readouts available, like a race-timer, G-force meter and engine data.
Standard specification in Australia includes 19-inch wheels, a Burmester sound system, AMG steering wheel with yellow contrast stitching, keyless entry and start, heated front sports seats finished in two-tone leather, ambient lighting, privacy glass and a panoramic glass sunroof.
Safety is taken care of with a surround-view monitor, LED headlights with adaptive high beams, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and autonomous emergency braking.
How much does the 2020 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ cost?
Eight-speed automatic - $93,600
How much does the 2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S 4Matic+ cost?
Eight-speed automatic - $111,200
*Prices exclude on-road costs
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