2015 Mercedes-AMG A 45 first drive

A good old-fashioned arms race, that's is what it is. Earlier this year the new Audi RS3 came along and trumped the previous A 45 AMG’s 355bhp by a whole 7bhp.

Naturally this raised an eyebrow or two at Stuttgart, so action had to be taken. Along with flipping the name to read AMG A 45 – in line with current AMG naming policy – a significant hike in power to 376bhp means it’s back to being the most powerful hot-hatch in town.

This boost, plus closer gear ratios and quicker shift times from the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, drop the 0-62mph time to just 4.2sec, which just happens to be 0.1sec quicker than the RS3.

You also get a Dynamic Select switch that, like the similar ones in the AMG GT and AMG C 63, allows you to switch the driving modes between Comfort and Sport+ depending on your mood.

If you specify the optional new AMG Dynamic Drive package, this adds an even sharper Race mode, along with adaptive dampers and a mechanical limited-slip front differential – aimed at improving traction out of bends and stability during high-speed manoeuvres.

Visual changes are subtle but include new LED headlights and restyled front and rear bumpers. Along with a new rear diffuser, the bodywork changes are claimed to clean up the airflow around the car thereby reducing drag, as well as boosting downforce.

Inside, it has an 8.0in infotainment screen and sat-nav, but if you go for the optional COMAND system this adds Apple Carplay and Mirrorlink, plus online connectivity.

The 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot might not have the melodic warble of the RS3’s five-cylinder motor, but when you turn up the engine modes - which opens the exhaust butterflies - it emits a very satisfying BTCC-like bark, with crackles on the overrun. It's blessed with a delightful mechanical smoothness right across the rev-range, too.

As a reference point, the A 45 is just 1bhp shy of the iconic Lotus Carlton (which some people screamed should be banned back in 1991 for being too powerful), so it should come as no surprise that this baby AMG feels quick. However, it never feels scarily quick, and that’s probably down to how effectively it puts down its power and how well sorted the chassis is.

As you come barreling up to a corner and jump on the brakes the pedal gives you all the reassurance you need as the A 45 sheds speed effectively. Turn in and the steering has the lovely weight and sense of urgency that only the best hot-hatches can muster.

With the adaptive dampers set to firm the body control is also superb, but with enough compliance in hand to keep the A 45 composed even when goaded by mid-bend undulations.

In the dry and with the optional limited-slip diff in place, the traction is prodigious. Even when the turbo on full song all four tyres seem to cope, managing the task with minimal fuss. Wet roads are a little more challenging, but in general any drama is limited to easily controllable understeer.

What’s good about the A 45 is that it still manages a decent degree of comfort when you dial everything back. It's firm, but never harsh, although it can't quite match the suppleness of an RS3. Meanwhile the gearchanges switch from snappy paddle-operated manual shifts to gliding pretty smoothly between the ratios in full auto mode.