There's Almost Nothing In This AMG A45 Vs Golf R Acceleration Comparison

Despite a big power and price gap, the VW Golf R seen here runs a Mercedes-AMG A45 very close indeed

17 Oct 2017

With a 70bhp advantage, you’d think the Mercedes-AMG A45 would be the clear winner in this acceleration comparison, but no: the VW Golf R is never far behind.

Admittedly the performance gap between these two has narrowed recently, with the Golf R’s slight power bump and new seven-speed DSG twin-clutch transmission dropping the 0-62mph by three tenths to 4.6 seconds. Plus, those optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s might well help off the line. But still, the A45 is still supposed to be four tenths faster on the benchmark sprint, and it’s also worth remembering it’s nearly £8000 more expensive than a Golf R with a DSG ‘box…

Which would you have?

Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.

Comments

Golf R please.

The Vauxhall Corsa will dominate both of these in affordability and insurance. However the 0-60 time will be measured with a calendar.

*2 calculators

I now retract my statement and reconsider my actions. In other words, wow.

you’re right though. Can’t wait for the new Astra and Insignia OPC, aswell as the new Corsa Model and S trim/OPC

Golf R FTW! (Though I like the Focus RS and A45 as well)

M140i ftw, mainly due to its inline-6 and RWD layout; none of its competitors have those.

Agreed. And it starts at £32k whereas the A45 is far more expensive.

If I said Focus RS ftw, I’d be downvoted lmao.

You’ve seen the top gear comparison to a GTI right? I mean I’d assume you got a bias tho haha

The Golf R gains all the time from its lighting quick DSG, the gearbox of the merc is a little slow compared to other dual clutches

The golf has a much nicer interior. I had an A-Klasse as a loaner and the dashboard and centre column just felt small and cheap. The rotary dial was tiny

Yeah i agree. Ive spent a little time inside both; the A class interior feels a bit japaneese, whilst the golf R feels like an audi interior without the badging

“insert exhaust fart noises”

I think I’d take the Golf R. From where I come, image is generally important: if you have a car from an expensive brand, you’ll be seen as rich, and thus being seen as someone who must have ripped off someone else once. It’s stupid as that. Rich people aren’t seen very well, and that’s partly why I’d rather take the Golf R.

Plus, I’m already a big GTI fan, so the Golf R is somehow the logical step (even though I’d rather take a GTI IRL or import a GTI Clubsport). And it just has this feel, which I don’t have with the A45 AMG.