REVIEW: The Mercedes-AMG A45 is one of the most potent hot hatches in history - we find out if its road manners can match its astonishing performance
Those who subscribe to the idea that a driver’s car must first and foremost possess good steering will be pleased to hear that. This set-up, which uses speed-dependent gearing, isn’t immune to deflection or the odd flicker of torque steer, but it develops convincing weight and prizes accuracy.’s more serious, rear-driven models, there’s also a communicative vein of feel that makes it easy to guide and place the car with satisfying conviction on tight, twisting roads.
Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic is so much better than the seven-speed box fitted to lesser 35 models. Shifts are far slicker and I didn’t find myself inadvertently banging into the limiter quite as muchThe next step in your journey of A45 S discovery is to find that roadholding is every bit as jowl-tuggingly adhesive as you would expect, given this car’s ability to cleverly apportion drive between its 245-section tyres.
But what about Drift mode, which throws as much of the engine’s torque to the rear outside wheel as possible? Despite the marketing campaigns, the way this – and all of the more aggressive settings for the AMG Dynamics chassis electronics – mostly manifests is not with armfuls of opposite lock but with an awesome level of neutrality.
As with so many good driver’s cars, there’s more than one way to drive and enjoy an A45 S on a track. The car offers uncompromising grip, composure and high-speed stability when you go looking for outright speed but it can also be driven in a more expressive and ostentatious style if that fits your mood.
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