2023 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ Facelift Review

A-M-G… these three letters will bring an instant spark to any car enthusiast’s eyes. The special arm of Mercedes-Benz has been producing high-performance cars out of Affalterbach, Germany for over five decades now. Currently, India has the widest range of AMG cars ever since the brand first came to our shores. Now, these AMG cars come in different shapes and sizes, however, I personally feel it is the smaller ones that pack the biggest punch.

Yes, I am talking about the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+. It’s the only A-Class hatch that’s currently available in India, and the car recently received a facelift. But is it worth spending over Rs. 1 crore to get this high-performance hot hatch? Let’s find out.

Design & Dimensions

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ gets minor visual tweaks including new LED DRLs

Visually, the 2023 A 45 S looks almost identical to the outgoing version, as the updates are quite minimal. Changes include a slightly tweaked AMG-specific radiator grille, updated LED headlights with new LED daytime running lights, and refreshed LED taillights. The rest of the car, both in terms of design and dimensions, remains identical to the older model.

The car gets 19-inch AMG alloy wheels, while you can get the Aerofoil as an accessory

This means you continue to get the same sporty 19-inch AMG-specific alloy wheels, a tonne of glossy black exterior inserts, and a bold-looking rear diffuser with quad-tipped exhaust. Having said that, you can now also get this really cool-looking all-black rear Aerofoil as an add-on accessory, which aids with the aerodynamics. Overall, the AMG A 45 S still looks very fresh and will get you enough attention on the road.

Interior & Cabin Features

The new Aluminium AMG interior gives the cabin a sportier look

Step inside and you’ll see that the cabin too has received its fair share of updates. More than the exterior I would say. The A 45 S now gets a new black and silver interior trim which the company calls the Aluminium AMG design that looks much sportier.

The AMG steering wheel now gets very handy touch-sensitive control panels

The Nappa leather-wrapped AMG steering wheel too has been updated and now comes with touch-sensitive controls, like the ones we have already seen in the E-Class. And it’s certainly a welcome addition. Now, the steering can also be adjusted for reach and height, however, you only get a manual adjuster. I believe an electrical adjuster should have been part of this upgrade.

The A 45 S comes with 2-zone climate control, rear AC vents, an electric sunroof and more

Mercedes also claims that the charging capacity of the USB ports has been increased by 20 per cent. Apart from that you continue to get power adjustable AMG performance seats, upholstered in ARTICO man-made leather/MICROCUT microfibre, 64-colour ambient lighting, and an electric sunroof among others. Mercedes also continues to offer a wireless phone charger and dual-zone automatic climate control with rear AC vents.

Infotainment & Tech

Wide display with two 10.25-inch screen that comes with the new-gen MBUX system

In terms of tech, the A 45 S continues to come with a wide display with two 10.25-inch screens. The first one is the fully digital driver instrument cluster that offers you a tonne of vehicle information, navigation, and drive modes.

The system continues to get the Mercedes ME connected car technology with a voice command function

The main unit is the touchscreen infotainment system, which is the command centre for the car, and is now loaded with the latest-generation MBUX system. As part of the package the system now offers individual AMG-style displays, updated graphics and more. The system continues to get the Mercedes ME connected car technology with a voice command function.

Safety Features

The car comes with a host of smart active and passive safety features

In terms of safety features, in addition to 7 airbags, anti-lock brakes and a rear-view camera, you also get Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Brake Assist, and Active Parking Assist.

Engine & Performance

The A 45 S' 2.0-litre turbocharged engine continues to be the most powerful four-cylinder engine

Under the hood, things remain unchanged. The A 45 S is powered by the same 2-litre turbocharged engine that came with the older model. It continues to be the most powerful four-cylinder engine manufactured by the brand, making about 415 bhp. Now all the powers come in at 6750 rpm, and as we have noticed before, there is a noticeable turbo lag in the lower revs, a signature trait of the A 45. However, as soon as you cross about 2500 rpm mark the turbo kicks in, and the engine opens up and feels a lot quicker and more responsive. As for the torque output, the motor develops 500 Nm at 5000-5250 rpm.

The 8-speed AMG Speedshift DCT automatic transmission is quick and precise

The engine comes mated to an 8-speed AMG Speedshift DCT automatic transmission, which does its job pretty well. The shifts are quick and precise, which is definitely what you need in a car like this. But if you like to have the controls in your hand, you still get a manual mode with paddle shifters. The A 45 S is also quite quick. It’s capable of doing the 0 to 100 kmph sprint in just 3.9 seconds, whereas the top speed is limited to 270 kmph.

The A 45 S can do a 0 to 100 kmph sprint in just 3.9 seconds, whereas the top speed is limited to 270 kmph

Now, Mercedes also offers multiple driving modes, namely - Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Race, and of course, the Individual mode, which allows you to tweak the settings according to your needs. There is a noticeable difference in the car’s behaviour and exhaust note as you move up through these modes. And you have instant access to these modes thanks to the quick access dial attached to the steering wheel.

The drive modes can accessed via a dedicated dial on the steering wheel

Of course, in the Comfort mode, the car feels a lot composed and is more suited to handle driving through daily traffic, however, if you plan to do so spirited driving move up to Sport, or even Sport+ to unlock the car’s real potential. It feels a lot quicker, a lot more agile, louder, and of course, extremely fun to drive. And then you have the race mode for those special occasions when you want to hit the tracks.

Ride & Handling

The A 45 S handles superbly well, whereas the steering has a nice heft to it, and offers good feedback

The AMG A 45 S continues to offer superior, razor-sharp handling. The car is extremely stable, the steering has a nice heft to it, and I also like the feedback it offers, which imparts more confidence while doing triple-digit speeds or when tackling a fast corner. The ride quality is also pretty decent for a high-performance car, however, I was not too happy with the NVH levels of the car, and the continental tyres were also quite noisy.

Price & Verdict

The Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ is a good Rs. 5 lakh more expensive compared to the pre-facelift model

At an ex-showroom price of Rs. 92.50 lakh, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ is a good Rs. 5 lakh more expensive compared to the pre-facelift model. While it does not have a direct rival in India, its closest competitor in the entry-level high-performance space would be the newly launched BMW M2, which is just about Rs. 5.50 lakh more expensive, at Rs. 98 lakh (ex-showroom, India).

The A 45 S is for the select few who are looking for a high-performance car for everyday use

So, in a nutshell, the A 45 S is not for everyone. It’s for the select few who are looking for a high-performance car for everyday use, and the A 45 S performs that role really well. However, the only thing that stops me from recommending this to you is its extremely high price tag, which does not offer enough value. Especially with the recent launch of the BMW M2, which is a more exotic, more powerful, and more feature-packed car. And for the performance junkies, it also comes with a manual gearbox.

Photos: Pawan Dagia