Mercedes-AMG A45 S Final Edition marks the end of an icon
When the second-generation Mercedes-AMG A45 S arrived locally in 2019, it set the benchmark for what a performance hatchback could be. Yes, it had to line up against the BMW M135i, Audi RS 3 and Volkswagen Golf R, but it always felt like it was playing in a league of its own.
At its heart was AMG’s hand-built M139 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder, an engine that claimed the title of the world’s most powerful series-production 4-cylinder. On paper, it was almost unbelievable.
Roughly seven years later, AMG is saying goodbye to the current A45 S, but not without a proper send-off. Enter the Mercedes-AMG A45 S Final Edition.
While the name might suggest something completely different, it’s not. It’s still the same A45 S we love, and the changes are mostly cosmetic. It comes with a choice of mountain grey magno or night black paint and dark chrome handles, 19-inch AMG forged wheels with edition-specific wheel hub covers with a yellow AMG logo, and gloss black callipers with white AMG lettering.
Other edition-specific details include a silver-chrome fuel cap with ‘AMG’ lettering, and should you opt for it, the front doors can be wrapped with a large ‘45 S’ logo in yellow and black with a white outline, while the exterior mirror caps feature an AMG-specific diamond pattern in black with a yellow outline. Also, the A45 S Final Edition comes with the AMG Night Package and Night Package II, which darkens the mirror housings, exhaust tailpipes, radiator grille struts and model designation.
For enhanced aerodynamics, it comes with the optional AMG Aerodynamics Package, which adds a front apron with an enlarged front splitter, a roof spoiler, lateral flow separation edges, and a diffuser blade.
Inside, the AMG Performance seats are trimmed in a combination of Artico man-made leather and black microfibre, but they’re livened up with yellow contrast stitching that runs across the seats and door panels. The front headrests feature the ‘45 S’ logos, while a ‘45 S Final Edition’ badge is mounted on the centre console to remind occupants that they’re sitting in the last hurrah of AMG’s proper hot hatches.
There’s more… The AMG Performance steering wheel is finished in Nappa leather and microcut microfibre with yellow topstitching, and features aluminium trim elements with an AMG pattern and a yellow AMG logo. There’s also a bright yellow AMG logo on the door sills and AMG floor mats with ‘45 S’ lettering.
Underneath, AMG hasn’t messed with what made the hot hatch so special. The same M139 2.0-litre 4-cylinder with 310kW and 500Nm still powers the A45 S. It shifts through an 8-speed DCT that sends power to all four wheels via the brand’s 4Matic+ system with AMG torque control, which can shuffle power between the rear wheels for maximum traction or a bit of sideways fun in Drift Mode.
Performance is also wild, as it was seven years ago. It rockets from 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds en route to an electronically limited top speed of 270km/h. Even by today’s standards, those are supercar-threatening figures from a 5-door hatchback, and based on my recent drive in the CLA 45 S Final Edition, it’s a very exciting and engaging setup.
What does this mean for the A45 S? Well, this is the end of the road. As it stands right now, Merc won’t build another A-Class hatchback, which simply means that the A45 S won’t be getting a direct replacement. Instead, the baton will be passed to the new electric AMG CLA. That’s what makes the Final Edition so important. It’s a celebration of one of the greatest hot hatches ever built. If this is indeed the final chapter, it’s a fitting way to say goodbye.
