Was talking rubbish...
Last edited:
A45 AMG Test Drive - First Impressions
- Thread starter J1nxy
- Start date
Was talking rubbish...
All of the FQs were effectively post sale modifications so weren't tested against emissions and economy.
I think the A45's engine is now the 2nd highest specific output as it is trumped by the engine in the McLaren P1.
Which gives rise to the question.
Would YOU buy one in three years after it's first owner has given it a bit of a pasting?
We all know that highly stressed engines tend to be:
1. Less reliable
2. Damn expensive to maintain
Personally at 5+ years old, I'd rather have something a little further away from it's max possible power.
Rubbish. Real world fast isn't the 0-60. Especially as its 4wd
60 -100 is real world fast and 8 seconds isn't out of the ordinary. I don't really get why everyone is raving about it. It's what? 220hp/ ton.
I was indeed talking bolox, must not post when half drunk and half asleep
And people are raving about it as its a fun, quick and enjoyable car to drive. It has as I've said now on a number of occasions the feel of the original Imprezas about it at covers ground and a fantastic rate when pushed.
Last edited:
CLA would be my choice too have you considered the New S3 Saloon ?
So I had a call from one of the Merc dealers near me saying they had an A45 AMG in as a demo and would I like to have a drive as I'd expressed an interest in it or the CLA45 AMG.
So off I toddled earlier today with Mrs and kids in tow to have a play with this
The salesman arranged for me to be put on the insurance and then handy us the keys to have a drive round in it, so here are my impressions.
Interior - Very nicely put together, materials feel high quality and the alcantara steering wheel is a good design being about the right size and thickness. Seat are leather/alcantara and are made by Recaro. They have plenty of adjustment, going quite low which I like, and grip very well along with being extremely comfortable to sit it. All major controls are well placed and feel solid and it has all the functions you'd expect of a high end car.The sat-nav/screen whilst being in a bit of an odd place didn't bother me once on the move and worked very well. The stereo sounded good and also had DAB fitted.
Space in the back seems generous and the kids were quite happy, they liked having the large sunroof open as well.
Engine/Transmission/Handling - For those that don't know the engine is a 2 ltr Turbo'd 4 pot kicking out 355bhp. It mated to a 7 speed DCT box and has 4wd that can shift up to 50% of the power to the rear. The engine is something else, it really has a Jekyll and Hyde personality. It will pottle around in full auto eco mode shifting gears cleanly, pulling off nicely from roundabouts and driving at sensible speeds quietly and with no fuss. Then flip a paddle or switch to sport mode and you have a fire breathing monster on tap. The thing flys to the red line shoving you into the seat and popping on every up shift, then dropping down gears quickly and cleanly. There is almost no lag and the power is very to exploit without hitting insane speeds. The noise is not bad at all, not v8 good, but suites the car very well.
Handling is also very very good. It has tons of grip and the steering given good feedback. I'd expect you to not run out of grip on public roads in the dry without doing something very very silly. The ride is stiff but well controlled and not crashy or uncomfortable on the roads I drove on, either at motorway or town speeds.
Brakes are immense generating massive stopping power and confidence and are easily controlled allowing you wipe off just the right amount of speed to blast it through a roundabout or through a series of corners.
Overall -The nearest car to me in the way its drives would be my original classic Impreza. It has that almost faultless feel to it where I'd be able to cover ground at a truly staggering rate, carry masses of speed into corners and hammering out of them.
Am I tempted, bloody right I am, but by the CLA 45 AMG instead as it has a bigger boot and is a bit more practical for the family. So much I am I tempted we'll be talking numbers tomorrow...My Mrs also loved it. We did try a E92 M3 with EDC and DCT but felt that whilst it is a truly brilliant car to exploit it would put me into bye bye license speeds. The CLA is also more practical for the kids as it has both 5 seats and 4 doors.
Yes, but from what I was told by a dealer last week there is no official confirmation when the S3 Saloon will come into the UK, and there was the possibility it wouldn't come at all.
I've also not seen the A3 saloon in the metal yet.
I find it deeply ironic that the rise of the 300bhp+ German hot hatch comes now, so soon after the Japanese brands who led the way with very fast, 4wd turbocharged 4 hatchbacks have decided not to bother and stopped production/sale of their models which are probably the closest in form factor to the likes of this, the RS3 and the M135i.
Myself, I struggle to decide which I like the most out of this and the BM....neither looks especially great to my eyes, slightly awkward proportions to both despite the fantastic detailing.
Myself, I struggle to decide which I like the most out of this and the BM....neither looks especially great to my eyes, slightly awkward proportions to both despite the fantastic detailing.
To me it was the combination of price and build quality I guess. The last Impreza STI they wanted 30K+ for and we looked at one as we both loved my old Imprezas. The build quality of the thing was a joke, it felt like it'd been built from value tin foil, recycle food packaging boxes and the left overs from Comets bankruptcy sale...it may have gone like stink but the world has moved on and that car hadn't and the price they were charging didn't justify the car you got.
I would expect in September for placing order and then Arrival In Jan. Both seem like epic Cars. I prefer the Audi interior and MMI, but then i have an Audi
Soldato
- Joined
- 11 May 2006
- Posts
- 5,786
Looks like a Hyundai. :/
My car does that in 5.9 seconds, to me the A45 doesn't look that quick any more?
Did you not read the post below the one you quoted? The times I posted were for the standing quarter not 0-100.
Soldato
- Joined
- 10 Mar 2006
- Posts
- 3,975
Reading more, seeing more on youtube, this car looks great to me. I was wondering if the bangs on upshifts would get boring after a while though, seems a little forced to me.
Soldato
- Joined
- 20 Jun 2004
- Posts
- 5,958
- Location
- Essex
Don't get the comparisons to EVO's here. People who buy mercedes wouldn't look at Mitsubishi. Ones a prestige German brand. The other is a Japanese tuner car.
They can't be compared just because they're 4wd, quick cars. The mercedes is startling quick, refined, comfortable and carries one of the leading brand names in motor vehicles. It's easy to see why it's getting such good press.
They can't be compared just because they're 4wd, quick cars. The mercedes is startling quick, refined, comfortable and carries one of the leading brand names in motor vehicles. It's easy to see why it's getting such good press.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 22 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 28,863
- Location
- Boston, Lincolnshire
So why are you comparing?
Exactly my 18 year old Celica will do the 1/4 in 12 just about. The gearbox is more impressive than anything else which is whats boosting it's performance somewhat. Something that a manual can not match. I also find it hard to believe that a haldex based FWD/AWD system can match that of Mitsubishi/Nissan who have been pioneering what AWD can do for the past 30 years.
Last edited: