“We have completely redesigned our 45 models – 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,” says Johannes Fritz, Co-CEO MercedesBenz South Africa and Executive Director for Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa.

At the heart of each vehicle is the world’s most powerful turbocharged fourcylinder engine manufactured for series production. The newly developed 2.0- litre engine reaches a peak of up 310kW and 500Nm in each AMG S model. This results in a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 3.9 seconds for the A45 S 4MATIC+ Hatch and 4.0 seconds for the CLA 45 S 4MATIC+.

“South Africans love the AMG brand: in fact, it’s the third biggest market in the world. With the presentation of this, our most powerful and most dynamic compact sports car, we are also reinforcing the significance of this segment for our growth strategy,” said Selvin Govender, Marketing Director for MercedesBenz Cars South Africa.

xterior design: AMG family membership even more apparent

Visually, there is no mistaking that distinctive AMG look. The Mecedes-AMG 45 S range visual cues include an AMG-specific radiator grille, wider front wings with flared wheel arches to create space for the wider front axle, and a front apron featuring a “jet-wing” design. Wider AMG side skirts visually lower it, while the rear view is characterised by two pairs of round 90mm-diameter tailpipes with internal fluting and AMG lettering.

The S-models come standard with 19-inch light alloy wheels in a 5-twin-spoke design - with a width of 8.5 inches for the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ and 9 inches for the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S 4MATIC+. The attractive aluminium rims are shod with tyres in size 245/35 R 19 and 255/35 R 19 (CLA 45 S) respectively.

Bodyshell: extensively reinforced

The AMG developers extensively reinforced the bodyshell and changed the track and camber. A lightweight aluminium plate bolted underneath the engine - the “shearing plate” - increases the torsional rigidity at the vehicle's front end. Diagonal struts at the front and rear of the underbody further improve rigidity. As a result the entire suspension system responds highly precisely even at the physical limits, giving the driver clearly defined feedback.

Drive system: new turbocharged four-cylinder with ample power

The new, highly efficient powerpack is produced on an innovative production line in Affalterbach, on the “One Man, One Engine” principle. The engine has intelligent design features such as a firewall-adjacent 2.1-bar twin-scroll turbo and exhaust manifold, two-stage piezo injectors, an electronically controlled wastegate, and multiple water pumps to cool the cylinder head and crankcase separately. The cylinder linings are coated in a patented Nanoslide mirror-like coating that comes directly from F1 engines.

AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8G dual-clutch transmission: agile and responsive

he standard transmission is an eight-speed DCT. The standard RACE-START function allows maximum acceleration from stationary. Anyone who prefers to change gear for themselves can select the manual transmission mode in every drive program.

All-wheel drive is included as standard, with AMG TORQUE CONTROL in the new rear axle differential: This has two electronically controlled multidisc clutches, each of which is connected to a rear axle drive shaft. In this way the drive power can not only be completely variably distributed between the front and rear wheels, but also selectively between the left and right rear wheel.

The result is consistently optimum traction, even in adverse road conditions and during extreme cornering manoeuvres, for example on the racetrack. Furthermore, this sophisticated solution allows Drift mode, as a standard, included in the optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package, which makes “powersliding” possible.

Drivers can choose from six AMG DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes: Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport +, Individual and RACE as a standard. This allows a wide spread of vehicle characteristics, from comfortable to dynamic.

Suspension: specific components for highly dynamic handling

The new AMG suspension with specific spring elements and the new, frequency-selective shock absorbers provides the basis for high directional stability and highly dynamic cornering characteristics with low body roll. At the same time, comfort has been improved compared to the preceding model. The optional AMG RIDE CONTROL adaptive damping system enables the driver to choose between three different suspension control modes, from comfortfocused to sporty.

High-performance braking system: fade-resistant and reliable

The high-performance braking system ensures fade-resistant deceleration and short braking distances. In the basic models, the 4-piston monobloc fixed front callipers act on 350 x 34 millimetre brake discs, while at the rear axle, 1-piston floating callipers act on 330 x 22 millimetre brake discs. The discs are internally ventilated and perforated to better dissipate heat and prevent brake fading, even with extreme use. The optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package have an even larger braking system, with 6-piston fixed callipers and 360 x 36 millimetre brake discs at the front.

AMG exhaust system: with exhaust flap for sound modulation

One of the highlights of driving an AMG has always been the distinctive engine sound. As a standard, the exhaust system has an exhaust flap which is automatically controlled depending on the engine speed and load. Depending on the selected drive program, this modulates the sound from balanced and subdued (in modes Slippery, Comfort and Sport) to emotional and sporty (in Sport+ or RACE).

With the AMG Real Performance Sound, as an optional, the sound is even more Page 4 emotional and you can determine how the turbo engine sounds in the interior. At the press of a button, it can be adjusted between a subtle, sporty sound (BALANCED) or emotional, motorsport sound (POWERFUL).

Interior: close symbiosis between man and machine

With its sporty appointments and the MBUX infotainment system, the highquality interior creates a close, personal connection between man and machine. MBUX creates an even closer connection between the vehicle, driver and passengers. Users can choose between three AMG display styles for the instrument cluster: Classic, Sport, and Supersport. The Supersport mode is particularly striking, with a central, round rev counter and additional information presented in the form of bars to the left and right of the rev counter. With a three-dimensional perspective, they reach far into the background to an artificial horizon.

And needless to say, the trailblazing voice control activated with the words “Hey Mercedes” is also on-board.

For those who fancy themselves on the race track, AMG TRACK PACE, the virtual race engineer, is standard equipment for the S-models. When negotiating a race circuit, it continuously monitors more than 80 vehiclespecific data points, including lap and sector times. After putting in some fast laps, the driver can use the data to analyse and, if necessary, improve their driving skills.

Technical data at a glance



Mercedes-AMG A 45 S

4MATIC+


Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S

4MATIC+
Engine 2.0-litre 4 in-line with roller bearing twinscroll turbocharger 2.0-litre 4 in-line with roller bearing twinscroll turbocharger
Displacement 1991 cc 1991 cc
Max. output 310 kW at 6750 rpm 310 kW at 6750 rpm
Peak torque 500 Nm at 5000-5250 rpm 500 Nm at 5000-5250 rpm
Drive system AMG Performance 4MATIC+ fully variable all-wheel drive with AMG TORQUE CONTROL AMG Performance 4MATIC+ fully variable all-wheel drive with AMG TORQUE CONTROL
Transmission AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8G dualclutch transmission AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8G dualclutch transmission
Combined fuel consumption 8.4-8.3 l/100 km* 8.3-8.1 l/100 km*
Combined CO2 emissions 192-189 g/km* 189-186 g/km*
Acceleration 0-100 km/h 3.9 s 4.0 s
Top speed 270 km/h*** 270 km/h***
Retail price R1 101 000 R1 211 000

* The stated figures were determined in accordance with the prescribed measuring method. These are the "NEDC CO2 figures" according to Article 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. ** electronically limited, with AMG Driver‘s Package 270 km/h; *** electronically limited