With 421 hp on deck, it's not like it needed anymore.
Mercedes-BenzMercedes announced a refresh for the entire A-Class lineup for Europe on Wednesday, giving Americans a preview of what’s to come for the company’s smallest car. The trim enthusiasts really care about, the top-level AMG A 45 S 4Matic+, has been given a few updates as well, though it hasn’t gotten any more powerful—not like it needed to.
As a refresher, the AMG A 45 S makes 421 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque from its turbocharged inline-four. Before the new C 63 was revealed, the A 45 was the most powerful four-cylinder production car ever. That means it’s incredibly quick. Standard AWD allows it to sprint from zero to 62 mph in a claimed 3.9 seconds, onto a top speed of 167 mph.
As far as updates go, they’re subtle. The headlights and AMG-specific grille have been revised, while the big badge up front has been replaced with an AMG emblem in place of the traditional Mercedes tri-star. Out back you’ll find a new rear spoiler, redesigned tail lamps, and a set of quad exhaust pipes. There are also new AMG-specific 19-inch wheels and red brake calipers.
The car you see here is a new “Street Style” special edition exclusive to Europe. It gets a mountain grey magno paint with accents in fluorescent orange, along with the aerodynamics package as standard.
It’s unclear at this time when the U.S. will get an A-Class refresh of its own, though we probably can expect it to arrive by early next year. As with the current A 45, it likely won’t come to our shores, though its drivetrain will likely make an appearance in the refreshed CLA 45, so we’re still excited.
Brian Silvestro Road & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing.
Keyword: Mercedes-AMG A 45 S Gets a Facelift But No Extra Power