We have Mercedes-AMG A45S SA pricing ahead of the new car’s launch in South Africa later this year, and if you plan to buy one we hope you started saving some time ago. Mercedes made its intentions very clear when it launched the latest version of its AMG A45 S: it wants to dominate the hyper hatch segment.

Firepower

To ensure that its new car would not have much competition the power merchants over in Affalterbach have developed a new, 2,0-litre turbocharged engine. This all-alloy unit develops a nearly unbelievable 310 kW of power coupled with 500 N.m of torque in top-spec S guise. A slightly lower-powered version produces 285 kW, but that car will not be making its way to our shores. You can read more about the engine at this link.

Sending power to all four wheels is a newly developed eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The transmission allows a full-blooded launch control start that rockets the A45S from 0-100 km/h in 3,9 seconds. The transmission also has a ‘drift mode’ which sends power just to the rear axle for smoky sideways action. The A45S comes as standard with the AMG Driver’s Package option with bumps up the top-end by 20 km/h over the A45, for a top speed of 270 km/h.

The A45S already has a bespoke appearance compared to all its siblings but Mercedes offers a few choice upgrades for its new charge. Among these are an AMG Aerodynamics package at R26 350 and the AMG Special Edition 1 version for an additional R144 500.

Pricing

The all-new Mercedes-AMG A45S SA pricing is R990 108 in ‘base’ trim ie before you tick any option boxes. Of course that price includes a full warranty and maintenance plan.

Catch the Mercedes-AMG A45S in full sideways action in the video below: