The modern ancestry test: 2014 Mercedes-AMG A45 vs 2024 Mercedes-AMG A45 S
The Mercedes-AMG A45 set a performance benchmark for hatchbacks worldwide. And over the years, it just became quicker. We compare the 2014 Mercedes-AMG A45 with the current A45 S model to see just how far they have come.
When Mercedes-AMG introduced the first A45 in South Africa, it rewrote the hot hatch rulebook. No production four-cylinder hatchback had ever produced so much power. A decade later, the A45 S Limited Edition has raised the bar even further.
Related: Mercedes-AMG A45 S hatch 4Matic+ (2023) Review
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Mercedes-AMG A45 and A45 S Limited Edition comparison
| Specification | A45 AMG (2014) | A45 S Limited Edition (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol | 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol |
| Capacity | 1 991 cc | 1 991 cc |
| Power | 265 kW | 310 kW |
| Torque | 450 Nm | 500 Nm |
| Transmission | 7-speed AMG Speedshift DCT | 8-speed AMG Speedshift DCT |
| Drivetrain | 4MATIC AWD | AMG Performance 4MATIC+ AWD |
| 0–100 km/h | 4.6 sec | 3.9 sec |
More power from the same capacity
Remarkably, Mercedes-AMG has extracted an additional 45 kW and 50 Nm from the same 2.0-litre displacement. That equates to a specific output of 155 kW per litre in the latest A45 S, one of the highest figures for a series-production petrol engine. The original A45 relied on a fixed all-wheel-drive system and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The latest model introduces an eight-speed transmission, a fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ system and torque vectoring across the rear axle. Together, these upgrades improve both straight-line performance and cornering agility.
Will the A45 S retain the throne?
The A45 has become one of the benchmark performance hatchbacks in South Africa. The 2014 model stunned buyers with supercar-rivalling output from a four-cylinder engine, while the 2024 A45 S Limited Edition demonstrates just how quickly engineering has progressed. Although the badge remains unchanged, the latest A45 S produces enough power to embarrass many sports cars from only a decade ago, cementing its position as one of the most capable performance hatchbacks available on the local market.
