Mercedes-AMG A4 - Unrefined, Unresolved And Unrewarding
evo India|September 2019

The original Mercedes-AMG A45 was undoubtedly fast, but was also unrefined, unresolved and unrewarding. Has that changed with this all-new version?

Antony Ingram
Mercedes-AMG A4 - Unrefined, Unresolved And Unrewarding

The world’s most powerful turbo four-cylinder engine in series production,’ reads the press release for the new Mercedes-AMG A45 hot hatch and its difficult-to-classify four-door CLA45 brother. (Mercedes will tell you it’s a coupe, the most abused word in the motoring lexicon just after ‘sporty’ and just before ‘emotive’.) Trouble is, the old A45 and CLA45 struggled to entertain with an already-generous 376bhp. Now that’s risen to 415bhp (non-S models get 382bhp), but turning up the wick alone is no guarantee of new-found evoness.

Luckily, the new 45s are off to a running start. Earlier in the year AMG gave us the A35 and CLA35, giving buyers a lower rung on the AMG ladder, just as the V6 43s and hybrid-assisted 53s have done further up the range. And those 35s are good – far better than the leaden old 45s, and more sporty and emotive (sorry) than a Golf R.

The only possible stumbling block is that they’re so accomplished, even with ‘only’ 302bhp, that last time I drove an A35 I was left wondering why you’d bother spending any more just for the sake of an extra hundredor-so horses. What could AMG possibly do differently – without coming over all Black Series and removing seats – to justify the additional cost?

Bu hikaye evo India dergisinin September 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye evo India dergisinin September 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

EVO INDIA DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
evo India

FAST STEAD

This Skoda Octavia RS 230 is fast enough to blow your mind but not its engine

time-read
3 dak  |
August 2021
Ford Fusion
evo India

Ford Fusion

Practical, great engine and dynamics, but weird styling ensured buyers stayed well away

time-read
2 dak  |
August 2021
evo India

Mahindra Bolero Neo

Armed with an iconic badge, a fresh face and a mechanically locking differential, the Bolero Neo could just be the compact SUV you’ve been looking for

time-read
5 dak  |
August 2021
evo India

RISING FROM THE ASHES

The third generation Suzuki Hayabusa is one of the fastest production motorcycles in the world, and a bike that truly deserves to be ridden flat out at the High Speed Track at NATRAX

time-read
7 dak  |
August 2021
BIJOY KUMAR Y
evo India

BIJOY KUMAR Y

Bijoy is quite looking forward to what the recent space launches could mean

time-read
3 dak  |
August 2021
evo India

DOA: HSV HRT 427

This racing-inspired 7-litre Holden Monaro garnered more than enough interest for its limited production run to sell out. But sadly the sums didn’t add up

time-read
2 dak  |
August 2021
evo India

Mini Cooper S Convertible

Mini gives the Convertible a more modern front end, more technology on the inside and a very bright paint scheme

time-read
5 dak  |
August 2021
evo India

VW Taigun GT

Good news! With two GT variants, Volkswagen are set to make the 1.5 TSI motor even more accessible to us enthusiasts

time-read
8 dak  |
August 2021
THE DOCTOR CHECKS OUT
evo India

THE DOCTOR CHECKS OUT

As Rossi decides to hang up his boots after 26 seasons, we take a look back at his journey through MotoGP

time-read
2 dak  |
August 2021
“IF THE RATING IS DONE, NATRAX COULD BE ONE OF THE TOP THREE PROVING GROUNDS IN THE WORLD”
evo India

“IF THE RATING IS DONE, NATRAX COULD BE ONE OF THE TOP THREE PROVING GROUNDS IN THE WORLD”

Speaking to Dr N Karuppaiah, additional director and centre head, NATRAX

time-read
4 dak  |
August 2021