The engine is off. The turbo is silent.
For the last seven years, the Mercedes-AMG A45 has been the undisputed king of small, fast hatches. Now, it’s dying. Not with a whimper, but with a final, expensive bow.
Meet the A45 S Final Edition.
It is the swan song for a car that redefined what a compact German hatchback could do. And it costs a pretty penny for the privilege.
Why the A45S is leaving
Let’s be blunt: this is not a model update. It’s an obituary.
The current A45 S uses Mercedes’ M139 engine. That 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is the most powerful in any mass-production car history. It screams. It punches. It makes 416bhp and a torquey 369lb ft.
Zero to 62mph takes just 3.9 seconds.
Top speed hits 168mph.
These aren’t sedan numbers. These are supercar numbers in a shell that fits in a standard parking space.
So why is it gone?
Regulation. Specifically, Euro 7.
According to reports, the high-output version of the M19 engine simply doesn’t comply with the new emissions standards. Retrofitting it would cost too much. Re-engineering a legend to save pennies on CO2 doesn’t make sense for AMG.
Mercedes wouldn’t comment publicly. They never do.
But the signal is clear. The four-cylinder hot hatch is over. Future high-performance AMGs will likely switch to straight-sixes or go fully electric.
The fifth-generation A-Class, expected around 2028, will ride on the MMA platform. The AMG version is already teased.
It’s an electric tri-motor beast making 671bhp.
The goal? To convert loyal hot hatch buyers into EV adopters.
Does that sound appealing? Depends on who you ask.
What you get in the Final Edition
Since there’s no next-gen petrol A45, Mercedes is treating this last run like a collector’s item.
The Mercedes-AMG A45S Final Editions look distinct. They borrow heavily from the racing livery.
Expect matte grey paint. It’s aggressive. It’s dull. It’s perfect for hiding tire marks.
Add in yellow accents on the aero elements. The ‘45S’ graphics on the sides mimic racing numbers. You’ll see the same motif inside.
It’s a subtle nod to the track heritage without screaming “I’m special.”
Except it is.
You’re getting the full A45 S experience. The same 416bhp motor. The same sharp handling. The same noise that gets you glares from other drivers.
Just with better stickers.
Price and Availability
Here is the sting in the tail.
UK prices for the Final Edition start at £67,965.
That is a lot of money for a hot hatch. Especially one that might not be eligible for some low-emission zones in the future, depending on how regulators interpret Euro 6d vs Euro 7.
Mercedes
