Even in this era of engine downsizing and ever-present fuel
economy and emissions regulations, the power wars are alive and well. Audi
fired the last shot in the hot hatch arena when it lobbed
its RS 3 on the market with a 362-horsepower rating, and now
Mercedes-AMG has retaliated with an updated version of its A45 4Matic producing
a staggering 376 hp. The updated A45 is the flagship of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz
A-Class range, which just underwent a mid-cycle update and is on show this
weekend at the Goodwood Festival of speed ahead
of a formal debut at September’s Frankfurt Auto Show.
While there are still no plans to bring the A-Class to the
United States, at
least with this generation, we’ll see many of the updates filter across to
the CLA and GLA models once they undergo their own updates. Yes, look forward
to the A45’s extra poke making its way into the CLA45—Motor Authority’s Best
Car to Buy 2015.
Power still comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter
four-cylinder engine, which in addition to producing 376 hp also has a crazy
350 pound-feet of torque on tap. Impressively, boost pressure remains unchanged
at 26 psi. Instead, the engine specialists at Mercedes-AMG mainly achieved this
increase in power output with a newly configured valve assembly and
optimization of the combustion process.
But it’s not just about brute power, as other areas of the
car have also been optimized. The revised gear ratios, aerodynamic fine-tuning
and the new Dynamic Select driving modes system—with Comfort, Sport, Sport +
and Individual modes—all help boost performance to a higher level. According to
Mercedes-AMG, the A45 will now reach 62 mph from rest in just 4.2 seconds,
which is 0.4 of a second quicker than before.
Maximum traction also on tight bends is ensured by the
standard all-wheel drive and the optional front axle locking differential
available for the first time. This is part of a Dynamic Plus package that also
adds adjustable sports suspension setup with two-stage adaptive damping, as
well as a special Race mode for the Dynamic Select driving modes system that
turns everything to the max.
Other changes made to the A45 include shorter transmission
ratios in 3rd to 7th gear for the standard seven-speed dual-clutch
transmission, improved aerodynamics brought about by the revised front spoiler
and rear diffuser, and a new multifunction sports steering wheel. The
infotainment system has also been updated and includes Apple CarPlay smartphone
integration as well as Internet connectivity. With the regular A-Class, the
engineers at Mercedes strived to make the car even sportier. For example, they
have added the Dynamic Select driving modes system, expanded the
lineup of engine offerings, and launched a new Motorsport Edition variant that
celebrates the success of the Mercedes AMG Formula One team.
Striking lines, dynamically curved surfaces and a coupe-like
profile characterize the exterior of the A-Class. For the latest version, the
designers added a new, more arrow-shaped front bumper that more closely
resembles the design on the Concept
A-Class unveiled in 2011. Also new is the diamond grille pattern, LED
headlights, revised graphics in the tail-lights, and new exhaust tips
integrated with the bumper.
Inside, the main instrument cluster has been tweaked with
new dial graphics and better quality materials have been used for many of the
switches. The central display is now a large, free-standing and frameless unit
that measures up to 8.0 inches diagonally. New colors and materials as well as
new finishes for the trim in the dashboard area round out the changes.
As for the new Motorsport Edition, this gets special
turquoise elements on the exterior that match the hue used on the Mercedes AMG
F1 livery. Eye-catching details in the interior include the green surrounds of
the air vents and the contrasting stitching in green. The sports seats are
lined in leather and microfiber trim and also have green decorative strips, as
have the seat belts. The Motorsport Edition is available for most
variants, though not on the Mercedes-AMG A45.
As mentioned above, the engine lineup has been expanded. The
entry-level A160 now gets a 100-hp four-cylinder engine while the
range-topping A250 Sport gets a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 215 hp. Above this
model sits the 376-hp A45.
In the area of tech, the latest A-Class range gets a revised
infotainment system with CarPlay smartphone integration and a more intuitive menu
system with improved graphics. There are also extra electronic driver aids
including the Attention Assist drowsiness detection system, Distronic Plus
distance control system and the Collision Prevention Assist system with
autonomous partial braking to reduce the risk of rear-end collisions.
Sales of the updated A-Class range commence in Europe in
late September. A similarly updated version of the CLA should follow sometime
in 2016.
source: MotorAuthority
by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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