Iron Fist: Mercedes-AMG’s Hatch King A 45 S Tested

One Man One Engine Magic

Built to AMG’s One Man, One Engine philosophy, the engine has been spun 180 degrees to turn its inlet to the front of its bay with the exhaust and turbo packed behind. To improve airflow to the engine and induce ram-effect at speed. Two-stage piezo injectors, an electronic wastegate, mirror-like F1-derived Nanoslide cylinder bores and separate cylinder head and crankcase cooling water pumps add to an exotic engine spec.

Not enough? Never fear! Add AMG’s new Speedshift DCT 8G dual-clutch transmission and 4-Matic all-wheel drive, Race-Start launch control and a Drift Mode too.

The Race Start is a peach. Unlike some rivals, which need a doctorate in engineering to activate their launch systems and get them to work, all you need do in A 45 S is find Race mode. Then just stand on both the gas and the brakes, let it crackle for a second and slip your left foot off the clamps when it goes green. That releases AMG 45 S like the bullet out of a gun. It squashes your back into the racing seat and rockets to the horizon.

A 45 S Sets Metronomic Record Pace

Best of all is that it launches with metronomic consistency. We tried four runs on the same stretch, and each came in within a hundredth of a second of the next. Which means that A 45 S is likely to keep on delivering its claimed record 3.7-second dash, or slightly better to 60 mph, all day long. Or until you’ve used all the fuel. Which can be soon if you keep on dealing out the sort of abuse this car loves.

But there’s far more to it than just the drag strip. Find a decent stretch of twisty tarmac, an empty pass or even better, take it to a track day to fully exploit its extreme dynamics. A 45 S demands to be manhandled into corners. The harder you steer, the better it responds. Even those Sport Pilots complains as A 45 S exploits the rubber to turn in like a dart and brilliantly follow through. It allows you to be greedy with the throttle, so pin the throttle real early.

You sense the systems working under you — selectively spilt central and totally variable AMG Torque Control rear differentials apportion power between the four corners of the car. Best of all, it delivers a surprising rear-wheel drive like feel and even becomes wonderfully tail happy with some proper turning moment induced.