Excited about the new A45 AMG? Here are six other options for similar money

Zero to 100km/h in a claimed 3.9 seconds. That’s the first stat from the 2020 Mercedes-AMG A45 S that really makes you stand up and take notice. Then there is the 310kW and 500Nm outputs from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine – thanks to a rather sizeable turbocharger.

The Mercedes-AMG A45 S 4Matic is $93,600-worth of five-door hot-hatch fun; and arguably genesis for the 300kW+ hyper-hatch category.

Wheels has driven it overseas and we’re soon to slide into the driver’s seat down under. However, until then, what other options are out there for around the same coin?

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2019 BMW M2 COMPETITION

Rear-wheel drive, a twin-turbo inline six up front and a two-door coupe body. If that isn’t isn’t a recipe for M-car perfection, then we don’t know what is.

The BMW M2 Competition is becoming a rare delight given that the 1 Series has gone front-wheel drive. With 302kW and 550Nm from the S55 3.0-litre inline six, it certainly fulfils the straight-line-performance quotient.

When Wheels performance tested M2 it returned a stout 4.4 second sprint to 100km/h (AMG claims the A45 S is half a second quicker).

However, the BWM is a very different proposition to the grippy all-wheel drive A45, and will also hang the tail out and produce more smoke than a burnt bratwurst. Fun, manageable and engaging, the M2 Comp is well worth stretching the budget to for the best $100,000 sports car currently on sale.

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2006 AUDI R8 V8 MANUAL

Yes, the naturally aspirated V10 versions are faster and imbued with a symphonic sound like little else, but it isn’t the only R8 to play a gripping tune.

The 4.2-litre V8 found in the original Audi R8 is glorious, especially when accessing its 8250rpm redline. And it’s right behind your head! At 309kW and 430Nm, the second-hand R8’s raw data is behind the mega Merc, yet the two-door coupe with supercar looks is hardly a slouch with a claimed 4.3 second 0-100km/h sprint.

Then, of course, there is the gated six-speed manual. It’s slightly stretching the budget here with most examples asking for around $110,000… but what a thing. It’s probably a nice investment as well, with original manual V8s likely to become a future modern classic.

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2012 PORSCHE CAYMAN S 981

There is a reason Porsche is reverting back to a flat six for its hot Caymans. And it is memories of cars like this, the 981, that make the four-cylinder 718 a hard pill to swallow.

It might ‘only’ shove you along to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds, but the 239kW/370Nm 3.4-litre flat six makes a glorious sound.

And you can have it in a six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK. Both options are within the price range, too, with a clean example setting you back between $90-100K. It’s a very hard option to bypass.

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2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C63 AMG EDITION 507

As one of the most iconic and brutish naturally aspirated C63s around, the crowning glory of the W204 C-Class has to be the 507 Edition (denoting its 507 horsepower).

The M156 6.2-litre V8 produces 373kW and 610Nm and AMG slotted it into the coupe, sedan and wagon body styles.

Its nature juxtaposes the diminutive A45 S, with the 507 being dominated by the V8 grunt and menacing baritones.

It’ll reach 100km/h three tenths slower than the hyper hatch, but as something to cruise in, the 507 Editions makes a lot of sense

That’s not to say it isn’t still seriously quick, and a pretty good bargain at circa $90K.

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2019 HYUNDAI i30 N / FORD RANGER XLT

Time to throw in some creative curve balls! With the i30 N coming in slightly less than $40K and the Ranger asking $58,840, you could feasibly stretch the budget to these two for twice the amusement.

Considering the i30 N comes with a track warranty from the manufacturer, it’d be a great weekend stress relief either on a circuit or a twisty road.

Plus, not that you can’t drive the Hyundai to and from the track, but the trusty 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo diesel (with six-speed auto) makes the Ranger a great tow car. What a way to get the best of both worlds.

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2019 SUBARU WRX / VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK TDI550 CORE

You already know where we’re going with this, don’t you? With a long history in rallying, the base $39,340 WRX manual would make a great Khanacross weapon.

Admittedly, given it’s a new car, you might not want to go too hardcore on unsealed surfaces, but with the 197kW/350Nm boxer sending grunt to all fours, it’d be a handy tool for light-hearted competition.

After the fun antics, you might want to tow it to a car wash with a $52,590 VW Amarok TDI550 Core. As the name suggests, it offers 550Nm of muscle from its 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel, perfect for lugging the Subie.

The Amarok is a Wheels favourite, having won our last two ute megatests. This was thanks to its superb refinement for the class, and ‘car-like’ dynamics (though it is missing some safety kit). Very tempting.