It’s covered in kaleidoscopic plastic wrap camouflage. Inside, it glistens with high definition graphics. A good five months from its planned UK introduction, it is still very much a prototype with cabling and other paraphernalia used to attach data logging and testing equipment scattered throughout its cabin. Whenever I get up close to it I’m joined by a German engineer who convinces me I shouldn’t poke around for too long.
Because it is all a big secret. The only information AMG is prepared to divulge about its second-generation A45 4Matic ahead of its highly anticipated unveiling is that it will drift. Forget that there isn’t an official power figure or any other information about Affalterbach’s new four-wheel drive hyperhatch yet. What Mercedes-Benz’s performance car division wants to you know is that, with its three-stage ESP disengaged and the push of a driving mode button as well as some steering wheel paddle protocol used to engage its advanced rear differential, its rear-end will go sideways just like that of the rear-wheel drive BMW M2 Competition.
This, I can confirm, because I’ve ridden in the new 2019 model year A45 4Matic. And, yes, it does attain seemingly impossible slip angles with all the rabid throttle induced cornering ambition of a high powered rear-wheel drive supercar when the driver wants it to . . . on ice. In fact, much of my time in AMG’s latest model was spent peering out the passenger side window as Reinhold Renger, the head instructor at the company’s so-called driving academy, worked his magic behind the steering wheel, displaying the effect of that rather special new differential around a giant test track etched into a frozen lake in the north of Sweden in the middle of winter.
Join the debate
275not599
I could drift a 1968 Ford
I could drift a 1968 Ford Escort 1300L, on ICE. If you regularly drift an A45 on the turn from Milton Crescent into Wordsworth Drive, you will risk your license and have a large tire bill. You know you are not going to seriously track your daily driver so I still don't see the point of ultra hatchbacks. Driving a car like this on the public roads at 30% of its potential is simply not as much fun as maxing out a slow car. Ask Chris Harris about his 2CV.
Wittzi
Nonsense
Crazy straight line performance, confident in all conditions due to 4Matic and really good fun on a twisty back road.
Having drift mode doesn't appeal to be specifically, but pikey AWD Mercs get panned by the motoring press for not being fun (despite being perfect for uk roads). This is Mercs response and I can't see what else they could do.
275not599
Hello Wittzi
Well I disagree that my comment is nonsense. I just don't see the point in spending £40K+ on an A45, and incurring higher running costs, when for a lot less you can get an A class that within legal parameters is almost as fast point to point. By all means enjoy your crazy straight line performance, for a few seconds at a time; I would far rather enjoy the constant pleasure of steering feel, brake feel, seat of the pants feel and light weight with its attendant ability to jink, so the right kind of exotic certainly does appeal to me. I also enjoy the kind of pleasure that is all about doing your damnedest to maintain hard-won momentum, as with a 2CV. But I wish you happy 0-60s, if that's your bag.
NoPasaran
Great stuff
416bhp from 2L?
Would not buy it second-hand.
LP in Brighton
Good advertorial
But reading about how wonderful an ultra powerful and no doubt expensive model is from the passenger seat of a car driven by a company expert on ice is pretty irrelevant to most of us.
I doubt that this AMG would be much use on our congested camera-ridden broken up roads. And it certainly isn't going to help with the planet's problems. Why not test the base model which some of us might buy?
Gfos
Ice Ice Baby
It was really helpful for me to know what this car was like drifting on ice. I do a lot of this sort of driving, with all the frozen lakes that we can just drive onto as part of the dialy commute in the UK
mpls
Sounds very fast and exotic,
Peter Cavellini
Anonymous...?
You see one you go meh, just another four door blob, because?
5cylinderT
WOWOWOWOW!!
cannot wait till this comes out the way this thing looks is awesome, also the tech that comes with it is just incredible.
Add your comment