2021 Mercedes-AMG A45S launched in Malaysia – Edition 1, panoramic roof dropped; cheaper at RM438k

2021 Mercedes-AMG A45S launched in Malaysia – Edition 1, panoramic roof dropped; cheaper at RM438k

The W177 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ was launched here last year, and with the limited-run Edition 1 model now sold out, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is introducing the “regular” version to our shores. The new (lack of) designation brings with it a slight change in accoutrements and specs but is otherwise identical.

Fortunately, the revision also comes with a (very) slight reduction in price, with the A 45 S now costing RM5,593 less at RM437,673 on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of a 50% rebate in the sales and services tax (SST). With the also newly-updated CLA 45 S retailing almost RM20,000 higher than before, the über hatch retakes its place as the cheapest 45-series AMG model you can get away with.

Without the Edition 1 tag, you no longer get the side decals, Edition 1 graphics on the aluminium interior trim and stitched leather dashboard, but the rest of the car’s extroverted look is the same. You still get the rather shouty AMG Aerodynamics package with a larger front splitter, corner flics, a sizeable rear spoiler, shrouds for the fake rear air vents and an even more ornate rear diffuser.

2021 Mercedes-AMG A45S launched in Malaysia – Edition 1, panoramic roof dropped; cheaper at RM438k

Also retained is the AMG Night package with gloss black highlights, as well as the 19-inch five-split-spoke matte black alloy wheels (now with a machined silver rim). What’s more, you now get the full A-Class colour palette instead of just the Sun Yellow and designo Mountain Grey Magno options offered previously.

Step inside and you’ll slide into the same hardcore AMG Performance seats (power-adjustable with memory) as before, only this time the Artico faux leather and Dinamica microfibre upholstery gets treated to red instead of yellow highlights. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is also now only half-wrapped in Dinamica, with the rest of it being covered in Nappa leather with a red 12 o’clock marker. Red seat belts are also now fitted.

One feature that the standard A 45 S loses out on is the panoramic sunroof, with the rest of the kit list remaining identical. This includes Multibeam LED headlights, keyless entry, the extended Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system with 10.25-inch instrument and infotainment displays, a head-up display, dual-zone climate control with rear air vents, AMG illuminated door sill scuff plates, 64-colour ambient lighting, navigation with live traffic information, a reverse camera and a 12-speaker Burmester sound system.

2021 Mercedes-AMG A45S launched in Malaysia – Edition 1, panoramic roof dropped; cheaper at RM438k

Safety-wise, the A 45 S continues to come with autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring and parking assist, on top of nine airbags (including rear side airbags), stability control, a tyre pressure monitoring system and Mercedes’ Pre-Safe system.

No changes under the bonnet, so the potent M139 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine continues to churn out 421 PS at 6,750 rpm and 500 Nm of torque from 5,000 rpm. With the AMG Speedshift 8G eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, 4Matic+ variable all-wheel drive and the included AMG Driver’s package, the A 45 S sprints from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds on its way to a raised top speed of 270 km/h.

Other goodies fitted to local cars are the AMG Ride Control adaptive suspension and the AMG Track Pace system. The latter provides live telemetry data as well as a timer for track laps and acceleration.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • Bieight on Mar 26, 2021 at 7:43 pm

    Should just wait for cheaper ckd

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 13
  • Gan Cars on Mar 26, 2021 at 7:43 pm

    This is the only car to match the new Golf R at Matt’s drag race in carwow. All other cars including the Civic Type R lost to the Golf R.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 2
    • Civic Turbo 2018 on Mar 28, 2021 at 3:38 pm

      MK8 Golf R is monstrous!! I don’t understand why the 420hp A45s unable to pull away from the 320hp Golf in rolling race… Insane!!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • alldisc on Mar 26, 2021 at 7:49 pm

    For RM438k, many will rather buy Volvo S60 T8 in 407hp and 640Nm… and will get one free Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8V ..be moneysmart guys.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 22
    • avenger on Mar 27, 2021 at 11:51 am

      so what if people are rich and like the car also cannot buy? if buy consider stupid?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 6
      • Civic Turbo 2018 on Mar 29, 2021 at 5:29 pm

        Smart don’t buy car. They rent or use company’s one

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
        • Troll poor ricer pretend smart on Oct 04, 2021 at 6:39 am

          Poor pretend smart but real smart rich can buy whatever they want even $30M jet,so poor don’t pretend smart

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • (Dude) on Mar 26, 2021 at 8:37 pm

    Ah i see, the couldn’t make the price lower than the CLA45s, so they add new features on the CLA to justify it.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • DZAAK on Mar 26, 2021 at 11:43 pm

    When will the latest E class and S class expected to be launch to Malaysia ? Can’t wait to have them review by Paul Tan.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
  • A 400+k sports car without floor mounted accelerator. I guess comfort and natural driving position is low priority for Merc.

    Also the styling is so shouty and childish. 1000hp cars like laferrari, p1 and 918 has far less scoops, grilles, fins and wings.

    One final bonus point, many people complain that cars of this performance should only be fully unleased on race track. Problem is, your warranty will be void if your car is used in on a track.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 9
    • Hummer on Mar 27, 2021 at 1:12 pm

      2 million Bentley bentayga using same type accelerator. This doesn’t mean anything

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Mar 27, 2021 at 8:18 am

    the real amg, not the cannot make it a35

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 3
  • More expensive than the previous generation A45 which was under 400k, why Malaysia why?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • A45 AMG was sold at RM305k previously, since they have launched A35, this A45 is sold at higher price.

    Anyway, for this performance at this price, still consider “cheap” among supercar.

    Some may want to compare A45 with Golf R. Golf R can only compare to A35. A45 is another class above.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • troll on Mar 28, 2021 at 4:04 am

    myvi M class better

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
  • Darth Zoom on Mar 29, 2021 at 10:00 am

    All these high performance (big hp/kw) kind of pointless, as the next few years with the same price tag you can get an EV wth the same performance (0 – 100km under 4sec)
    And all these (ICE cars) sports high hp, will be higher & higher to maintain.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 4
    • Trolol poor ricer on Oct 04, 2021 at 6:49 am

      Battery design for dispose not resale but petrol do overhaul and resale,don’t pretend smart

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Aeroheads on Jun 07, 2021 at 5:10 pm

    This version have the “Drift Mode” ?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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