MERCEDES-AMG A-Class Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Mercedes-Benz introduced the fourth generation of the A-Class in 2018, and AMG introduced a more powerful version for it in 2019.

Up to the third generation of the A-Class, Mercedes-Benz was not very happy with the sales results. Moreover, technical issues with either the car's handling or the gearbox issues worsened the situation. When it switched from an MPV-look to a compact hatchback and sedan body version, the sales took-off, and with the AMG versions, it established the image of a premium hot-hatch. But the carmaker offered the same performance package in the sedan version as well.

Thanks to its new design, the fourth generation of the A-Class Sedan was more appealing. At the front, it featured CLS-inspired headlights, a wide hexagonal grille adorned by a twin-louver slat, and an AMG-specific bumper. Thus, the car looked more aggressive than its less-powered siblings. From its sides, the big, 18" light-alloy-wheels filled the wheel-arches. In the rear, a lip-spoiler on the trunk-lid and two oval, chromed exhausts completed the image.

Inside, AMG offered an option for sport bucket-seats with integrated headrests, but even the standard ones offered high-bolstering. A tall center console separated the front occupants. In the rear, the passengers had adequate legroom thanks to the car's big wheelbase. AMG removed the classic analog dials from the dashboard and installed two wide screens: one for the instrument panel and the other for the infotainment system. It worth mentioning the turbine-styling for the five vents.

Under the hood, AMG worked its magic and turbocharged the inline-four engine. It resulted in a massive 306 hp. While some A-Class versions were front-wheel-drive, the 35 AMG version featured a standard all-wheel-drive system.

Mercedes-Benz was successful with the first generation of the A-Class 45 AMG, and when it switched to the second iteration of this hatchback, it also changed the name to Mercedes-AMG A45 4MATIC+.

After AMG became a distinct brand, most of its models were based on Mercedes-Benz cars, as was the case with the A-Class. But, apart from the general look of the bodywork, it changed everything. Thus, the vehicles it produced were more aggressive and not subtle at all. Furthermore, their drivetrains were unique, and so were the hand-crafted engines under their hoods.

Sporting the Panamericana grille was one of the specific details that made the A45 4MATIC+ look different than a mundane A-Class hatchback. In addition, the front bumper featured a large air intake in the lower dam flanked by side scoops and a pair of winglets to improve aerodynamics. From its profile, the 18” alloy-wheels were stamped with the AMG logo and wrapped in 245/40 sticky tires. At the back, above the tailgate, the German automaker added a functional wing that added some downforce to the car.

The cabin boasted high-bolstered bucket seats with integrated headrests, and sported cutouts for race harnesses, although those were mostly for the sporty look. But still, like the rest of the A-Class range, it was fitted with two screens covered by the same piece of glass. The one fronting the driver was for the instrument panel, while the one placed above the center stack was for the MBUX infotainment system. The automaker installed turbine-like vents, carried over from the regular A-Class, but the three-spoke steering wheel was reserved for AMG versions.

Under its skin, the A45 4MATIC+ featured a transversely-mounted inline-four turbocharged engine paired to an eight-speed SPEEDSHIFT DCT-8G (dual-clutch) automatic gearbox that sent the power in all corners.

The 2018 AMG A35 was a true hot-hatch. Even if it wasn't the top-spec AMG from the A-class, it was considered to give a better balance and enough everyday performance.

When compared to the regular A-Class, the first noticeable detail was the grille with a big, chromed horizontal line and the big three-pointed-star badge in the middle. On the bumper, the lower splitter and the side-scoops were big and inspired some performance. It featured LED headlights as standard. To channel the air-flow, the aerodynamic package was completed with side sills and a roof spoiler. A small wing was offered as an option. Under the rear bumper, a dual exhaust helped the engine breath better.

Inside the cabin, the AMG was true to its words with race-inspired bucket seats. The AMG Sport steering wheel featured a metallic paddle-shifter behind it. On the dashboard, two large displays were under the same protective glass and gave the impression of one, big, screen. It incorporated the configurable dials for the driver and the infotainment system as well.

For the tech-side, the four-pot engine under the hood featured a twin-scroll turbocharger that was built for small turbo-lag. The AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7G dual-clutch was installed to cope with the powerful engine. It sent the torque to all four wheels via an intelligent and electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system. To keep the car planted on a race-track or comfortable on the daily drives, the AMG A35 featured an adaptive suspension with three settings.

Mercedes-AMG entered into the hot-hatch segment where it didn't belong, but it wanted to dominate with the presence of the A45 version.

Hatchbacks were usually desired by younger generations, who don't have the need for big trunks or plenty of room in the back. Moreover, the hot-hatch segment was contested usually only by mass-market brands such as Volkswagen, Honda, or Renault. Yet, after Audi made a fortune with the S3/RS3 vehicles, Mercedes-Benz thought that it could provide something for that too. And thus, it launched the A45 version, which was transformed into the Mercedes-AMG A45 in 2015.

The striking look of this compact-sized Mercedes was made to reflect the car's performance. At the front, the single-slat grille that supported the three-pointed star and the specific look of the AMG bumper were signs of a powerful vehicle. Moreover, the slightly enlarged wheel fenders and the sculptured door panels were studied in the wind tunnel. Last but not least, a wing placed on top of the tailgate expressed the car's will to race. To complete the sporty image, AMG installed 18" alloys with an option for a 19" set.

Inside, the carmaker combined expensive materials and a sport-oriented design. The sport seats with high-bolstered areas and the thick steering wheel confirmed the car's designation. One thing it couldn't be appropriately arranged, and that was the infotainment unit display mounted above the center stack, looking like aftermarket equipment.

From the technical point of view, the A45 shined with its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, which gained the coveted "International Engine of the Year" in 2014 and 2015 for the 1.8 to 2.0-liter class. Mercedes-AMG made the car with a standard seven-speed automatic transmission that sent the power in all corners. Moreover, a locking front differential was available as an option.