We’ve had a flurry of product launches from Mercedes-Benz this year. The list includes locally-assembled AMGs, the Maybach GLS and the refreshed E-Class. However, the year isn’t over yet. And Mercedes-Benz isn’t done introducing new models. Today, we’ve got the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+. It comes to India as a direct import, and we know what that means – steep taxes. Because of that, the sticker price is Rs 79.5 lakh.

The A 45 S is the most powerful derivative in the A-Class family. Under the hood is a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 416bhp and 500Nm of peak torque. An 8-speed, AMG-spec dual-clutch unit handles transmission duties, feeding the oomph to a fully variable all-wheel-drive system. As a result, the A 45 S can hit 100kmph from a standstill in 3.9 seconds and reach 270kmph before running into the electronic speed governors.

What good is power if it can’t be relished? To do just that, Mercedes-Benz has equipped the A 45 S with something called AMG Torque Control in the rear differential. In simple words, the car can shift power between the front and rear wheels and side to side. And all that magic happens based on where you’ve got the drive mode set.

In profile, the A 45 S is shamelessly aggressive. But then, it does have a lot to shout about! It sports 19-inch alloy wheels, AMG Aerodynamic Package, high-performance brakes with red callipers, a functional diffuser and quad exhausts. The list of creature comforts includes heated front seats with memory function, two 10.25-inch displays (one each for the instrument cluster and infotainment system), dual-zone automatic climate control and a 64-colour ambient lighting system.

Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ (For Left-Hand-Drive Market)

Yes, there are a bunch of safety features and driver assistance systems on offer as well. You get stuff like Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, electric parking brake, auto headlamps and wipers, a three-stage ESP and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

There are no other hatchbacks available in India that offer such a sporty package. The closest rival would be the BMW M2 Competition, which costs Rs 85 lakh. So, between the two, which one would you pick?