Yes, we know. That headline is a question that nobody asked. However, it's an interesting comparison, we reckon. See, the Mercedes-AMG A45 S is a mighty machine that boasts a snazzy design (I just love the execution of the Panamericana grille on this car) and the most powerful four-banger ever created.
With the revered power rating that this little AMG carries, can it match another performance car that's twice of almost everything it is? Case in point, the BMW M8 Competition. By price alone, the M8 dwarfs the AMG A45 S by more than half.
Gallery: Mercedes-AMG A 45 4MATIC+ (2019)
Carwow raises this question and pits the two cars in a race. Although it's not a full on-track comparison, the British publication puts them on a drag race, which is enough to see which is quicker off the line. But first, let's drop the numbers here.
The AMG A45 S is, of course, powered by the great 2.0-litre M139 engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger, making 416 bhp (310 kilowatts) and 369 pound-feet (500 Newton-metres) of torque. Its fully-loaded sample weighs around 1,360 kilograms (3,000 pounds).
Straight-line races you might have missed:
The BMW M8, on the other hand, employs a 4.4L twin-turbo S63 V8 under its bonnet, making a healthy 617 bhp (460 kW) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque in the Competition models. These numbers motivate all four wheels with an option to send them all to the rear.
The M8 is significantly more powerful than the A45 S, of course, but take note that it's also a lot heavier at 1,885 kg (4,156 lbs).
With these numbers laid out, can the AMG A45 S keep up with the M8 Competition? The answer is it depends, and you have to watch the video to find out.
Source: carwow (YouTube)