Mercedes-AMG A45 S

Our favourite four-wheel-drive hyperhatch receives a mid-life update and continues to keep the RS3 at bay

- STUART GALLAGHER

IT MAY NOT LOOK LIKE IT BUT THIS IS THE facelifted AMG A45 S. Honestly. The press pack is staring me in the face telling me about the new headlights, the AMG-specific grille, and how the badge above said grille is no longer a three-pointed star but the Affalterbach coat of arms. The AMG Performance steering wheel is new too and there's been a serious upload of new software, but the hardware remains untouched.

This means the A45 S continues to be powered by the M139 turbocharged 2-litre engine, which is still the most powerful four-cylinder production engine in the world, with a specific output of 209bhp per litre. Its unchanged 415bhp peak beats the Audi RS3's five-cylinder by 21bhp, yet both generate 369lb ft of torque for their four-wheel-drive systems to manage, the A45's 4Matic+ providing a dual-clutch pack on the rear axle to allow for the de rigueur Drift mode.

Alongside the RS3s, Golf Rs and Civic Type Rs of the hyperhatch world, the A45 S has always delivered the biggest performance punch, along with a look that gets close in terms of in-your-face aggressiveness to the Honda's. Front-end dive planes, a prominent splitter, deeper sides sills, a rear diffuser and a roof-mounted spoiler are the AMG's signature uniform, along with a set of 19-inch black alloy wheels. It doesn't do subtle.