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New AMG badge for baby Merc

<b>POCKET ROCKET :</b> Merc's  new baby will get a brand-new AMG badge at the 2013 Geneva auto show in March.
<b>POCKET ROCKET :</b> Merc's new baby will get a brand-new AMG badge at the 2013 Geneva auto show in March.
AFFALTERBACH, Germany – Mercedes-Benz is marking 2013 with a bang with the upcoming reveal of its new AMG model at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show on March 5.

Embracing its AMG Performance 50 strategy, which will run up to Mercedes-AMG GmbH’s 50th birthday in 2017, they’re launching the A 45 AMG.

The two-litre AMG engine will push out 268kW and 450Nm, making it the most powerful four-cylinder series production engine in the world. Even more impressive from the AMG 4matic all-wheel drive is the claimed fuel consumption of 6.9 litres/100km. Coupled with a seven-speed speedshift automatic gearbox, it goes from zero to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

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The European market will get this hot baby in July and good news is we won't have to wait too long. Mercedes-Benz SA says the A Class will launch in April, with the A 45 AMG coming later during September.

Mercedes-AMG Chairman, Ola Kallenius said: "The A 45 AMG will enable us to appeal to new customers and tap new markets. We are adding an attractive model with exceptional performance to our range of unique high-performance automobiles."

Vehicle development head Tobias Moers added: “With its impressive high-tech package and the performance-oriented AMG 4Matic all-wheel drive,  it’s a thoroughbred AMG through and through."

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On the styling front, the A 45 AMG sports a twin-blade radiator grille and front apron painted in matt titanium grey. Black flics surround the large cooling air intakes at the sides while the sill panels also have matt titanium grey inserts. Two square and chrome-plated tailpipes and 19” alloys round off its assertive look.

Smaller turbo engines are always a challenge but thanks to the twin-scroll turbo and sports exhaust system with exhaust flap it makes for a more spontaneous build-up of charge pressure. This means a swifter build-up of torque comes right from the lower rev range and on the plus side, this technology also benefits fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

The exhaust system features large pipe cross-sections and an automatically controlled exhaust flap is also found on the SLK 55 AMG. The flap is continuously adjusted by map control according to the driver’s throttle response, load status and engine speed. The car has two striking tailpipes which emits those glorious noises only an AMG can make, especially during accelaration.

ONE MAN ONE ENGINE

As is tradition with AMG eight and 12-cylinder engines, the two-litre turbo engine is hand-built. An exclusive assembly line has been set up at Merc’s engine production plant in Kolleda – where all BlueDirect four-cylinder engines are built for A and B-Class models. A characteristic feature of the "one man, one engine" philosophy is that each engine bears a plate with the fitter’s signature.

The dual clutch sports transmission is directly flange-mounted on the transversely installed engine and features software modules adopted from the SLS AMG. It also has three driving modes and a race-start function. The modes are C, S and "momentary M  mode" – where C and S can be used to put the car in M mode (fancy for auto).

The controlled efficiency (C mode) is used for softer transmission and engine characteristics for fuel-efficiency and a comfortable driving style, it also supports the eco stop/start function.

And if you want your A 45 AMG to stand out even more, there’s a whole list of AMG options such as the aerodynamic package, carbon-fibre exterior package of individual mirror housings and 19” alloys, a night package and even wheel-bolt covers.

PRICES
A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY R275 000
A 200 BlueEFFICIENCY R298 000
A 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Auto R310 000
A 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY manual R300 000
A 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY R355 000
A 250 Sport R395 000
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