What is it?
Everyone saw these types at university; unwashed, thick glasses, smelly, wearing their lab coats all over campus. It’s these types of engineers that AMG locked in the basement and forgot about; left with only a little four cylinder motor to play, and some huge turbo chargers out of the ‘proper’ V8/V12 AMG parts bin.
What those blokes came up with is simply majestic. AMG recently launched this small capacity turbo charged motor, one I like to think they code-named ‘the lunatic project’ – and it just so happens to be the most power four cylinder production engine in history. We’re not laughing anymore are we?
And it’s not just got a little more power than those before it. It’s got a lot more. 265kW to be precise, housed in Merc’s little hatch back platform that carries things like the A, CLA and GLA, only with the numbers ‘45’ tagged on the end – and an AMG badge of course.
On the outside
As one would expect, the GLA45 AMG looks quite similar to its sibling, only lower with bigger wheels and more slits in its bodywork than an unloved teenager with daddy issues. It’s over the top, but that’s kind of what AMG is about. I mean it has 265-flipping-kW.
On the inside
Much less has changed in here. There’s a couple extra buttons for all the fancy AMG-trick suspension and traction control settings, and some great bucket seats that are both supportive and comfortable. It’s nice, I guess, aside from the after-thought of an entertainment system display.
There’s space about the cabin for four adults, except the ones in the back best be short because the roof line is a little low. The boot is no bigger than your average Ford Focus (or Merc A-Class for use of a better reference), but there you go, that’s what modern day crossovers are all about.
Behind the wheel
Not to flog the proverbial horse, but this thing has 265-flipping-kW. That’s a lot for any car, let alone one with such diminutive proportions. It gets off the line like a scalded cat thanks to AMG’s race start (read launch control) system. 0-100km/h in just 4.6 seconds. It’s wild.
As for its road manners, leave the GLA45 in comfort mode and it’s surprisingly subtle over our blemished – and proudly South African – roads. Don’t bother with the harder settings, they just ruin your spine. The range of 45 AMG’s come with All-Wheel-Drive, albeit a complicated on-demand version thereof, to handle all that power.
On regional roads (those marked by R and some numbers) the 45’s are nigh unbeatable in the matter of covering ground at a rapid pace. The AWD system distributes power for maximum traction out of corners, which really grips and goes. The motor is punchy, delivering raw torque from low down and spits out some delightful burbles. All round it’s very, very capable.
That said, it lacks excitement and the dynamism of something like a BMW 135/235. Unfortunately for most enthusiasts rear wheel drive is a must. Also the gearbox is a bit slow from pull off if you aren’t launched out the gates with race start, and I find it dim-witted on downshifts in automatic mode – if I was to nit-pick.
Verdict
First off I don’t get the GLA version of the 45 AMG range. They’ve taken a raised A Class, and then lowered it again for sporting reasons. Makes no sense.
Then there’s the matter of price. These things are near R800,000 before you’ve even started with the options list. Yes, 800k for a hatchback. It’s lunacy, regardless of the motor being powered by plutonium.
On the flip side it’s one of the most capable cars I’ve driven along public roads at, let’s say, immense speed. You’d be hard pressed to keep up in significantly more powerful cars thanks purely to the 45’s agility and AWD system. It’s a conundrum alright.
Price: R785,200
Engine: 1991cc four cylinder turbo charged petrol
Power (kW): 265
Torque (Nm): 450
Acceleration (0-100km/h): 4.6
Top speed (km/h): 250
Consumption (l/100km): 7.5 (claimed)
Service: 6 year/100,000km maintenance plan
