Skip advert
Advertisement

Brabus boosts Mercedes-AMG A 45 hot hatch with new tuning pack

Visual and engine upgrades turn the smallest AMG into even more of a firecracker

The Mercedes-AMG A 45 is already a pretty mental hot hatchback, especially when you consider what we thought 'hot' not so long ago. It used to be 200bhp was a hefty amount of power for such a small car, but even an unmodified A 45 offers a seemingly incredible 376bhp - or 354bhp in a pre-facelift model. Now though, famed Mercedes tuner Brabus is turning up the wick on the A 45 offering to boost the car up to 395bhp with the B45 PowerXtra module.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Power is lifted and the torque figure now stands at a staggering 369lb ft. Brabus is unclear on how exactly this power upgrade has been achieved but has revealed that the car benefits from a new sports exhaust. We also suspect that some form of remap has taken place to aid in raising the power.

> Mercedes-AMG A 45 review

The car also receives aerodynamic and visual enhancements. A new custom rear diffuser is fitted as well as new 19” Brabus Monoblock R Red/Black wheels. They may not be to everyone tastes but they do at least suit the attitude of the car.

If retrofitted, an old A 45 could be just as fast at the new facelifted car. Both cars will reach 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds making them only a tenth slower to 60 than an Audi RS3. This was serious sports car pace in the pages of recent history.

> Brabus Bullit review

Brabus is yet to quote the price required to receive the upgrade, but it’s likely to be less expensive than premium required to upgrade to the new facelifted A45. So if performance was your only reason for wanting the new facelifted model, this may be a better option.

Brabus also offer upgrades for other A-class models within the rage. An increase of just over 30bhp is available for both A180 and A250 petrol models. The A200 CDI and A220 CDI diesel models receive power increases of 33bhp and 39bhp respectively. These upgrades lower down the range are likely to be the most used kits and stand to make the A-class range more desirable and a serious contender. Still want that new Audi RS3?

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The Mercedes 190E Evo II is back: full details on HWA’s £730k recreation
HWA EVO Goodwood FoS
News

The Mercedes 190E Evo II is back: full details on HWA’s £730k recreation

The Affalterbach-based engineering firm behind numerous motorsport icons is building a run of 100 Evo II recreations, and they’re set to hit the road …
18 Jul 2024
Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupé (2014-2021): a lavish grand tourer for as little as £35,000
Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupé - front
Reviews

Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupé (2014-2021): a lavish grand tourer for as little as £35,000

Discreet and underrated, but brilliantly fit for purpose – the S63 Coupé is a remarkable GT car for Golf GTI money
2 Apr 2024
New Mercedes-AMG CLE53 – two more cylinders for £25,000 less than a C63
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53
News

New Mercedes-AMG CLE53 – two more cylinders for £25,000 less than a C63

The new CLE coupe has gained a straight-six engined AMG version, with prices starting from £72,990
24 Jan 2024
2024 Mercedes-AMG CLE63 S E Performance spied – 671bhp hybrid spotted in drop-top form
Mercedes-AMG CLE63 cabriolet
Spy shots

2024 Mercedes-AMG CLE63 S E Performance spied – 671bhp hybrid spotted in drop-top form

AMG's new four-seat coupe and cabriolet ranges will be topped by a 671bhp AMG flagship, spied testing in Germany
9 Nov 2023
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 2024 review: rally-bred hot hatch is better than ever
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 UK
Reviews

Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 2024 review: rally-bred hot hatch is better than ever

Toyota’s heavily updated Gen 2 GR Yaris has finally arrived in the UK, and we’ve driven it on the road
24 Jul 2024
This is our best look yet at Ferrari’s brand new hypercar
Ferrari hypercar test mule
Spy shots

This is our best look yet at Ferrari’s brand new hypercar

The LaFerrari successor will bring Ferrari’s motorsport and road car programs closer than ever, with sophisticated aero and a new hybrid powertrain
22 Jul 2024
McLaren GT Fast Fleet test – four months in the 203mph 'grand tourer'
evo Fast Fleet McLaren GT
Long term tests

McLaren GT Fast Fleet test – four months in the 203mph 'grand tourer'

Our ‘grand touring’ McLaren has departed. Did we get to the bottom of what it’s all about?
22 Jul 2024