Factory-Tuned Ford Focus RS vs Mercedes-AMG A45

[FocusMike]

[video=youtube;u-bpP4tXflI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-bpP4tXflI[/video]

While America never got the A-Class edition of AMG's 375 horsepower drivetrain due to having the CLA45 and GLA45 instead, in the UK, AMG's smallest cars starts at around $51,000. For that kind of money, AMG offers a 2.0 turbo (that they have to abandon moving forward) with a ridiculous output of 375 hp and 350 ft.-lb., and a seven-speed dual clutch transmission sending it all through a basic all-wheel drive system. Packed into the smallest Mercedes.

Needless to say, the A45 AMG is a seriously quick hatchback. It gets to 62mph in 4.2 seconds, only to keep going until 168mph with the limiter switched off. With that much power, a wide torque band and the DCT shifting faster than any stick could, AMG's A-Class is a real giant slayer on twisty roads, no doubt. The only problem is that a factory-tuned Ford Focus RS is much more rewarding for a whole lot less money. And isn't that what hot hatchbacks should be all about?

Mountune isn't doing much to the RS to bring it up to 370 horsepower and 369 ft.-lb. (on overboost). A new induction kit, a remapped ECU and a badge for $1000, without voiding Ford's warranty. But since the RS already comes with a decent manual gearbox and an all-wheel drive system that can overdrive the outside rear wheel for the ultimate drifting experience, the AMG's minimum $12,500 premium becomes pretty hard to justify after stepping out of the cheaper alternative. The Focus is just more involving, despite also being the worse daily driver with a lesser interior.

Of course the Mountune RS is the least of AMG's problems. Instead, the team at Affalterbach is now busy looking at a five-cylinder producing 400 horsepower in both the hatchback and the sedan variant of the 2017 Audi RS3.