Hot! A 45 and CLA 45 AMG Waiting Lists Extend to End of 2015 in Australia

[far2000]

It seems the world really is obsessed with German luxury compact cars right now, and we're not talking about 3 Series and C-Class types of compacts. No, we're talking Volkswagen Golf rivals with posh badges and lots of optional features.

Both Audi and Mercedes are doing really well in America right now and recent reports say their factories in Hungary are barely keeping up. But what about their hottest versions. Well, Audi puts run-of-the-mill 2-liter engines into the S3, but Mercedes-Benz's M133 is a little more bespoke.

The upside is 360 rampaging horses flow from its four cylinders into the all-wheel drive system of the A 45,CLA 45 and GLA 45 AMG models. However, supply is a little bottle up right now. Walk into a Mercedes dealer in Australia and he'll tell you that the waiting list extends to the end of 2015 at the latest.

When asked if customers are still willing to wait, Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific CEO Horst von Sanden said the following in a recent interview: “Yes they really were. But of course, you can only stretch the friendship so far and there’s different levels of patience in people, and some would categorically say ‘no, if I have to wait that long no’.


That's not even the half of it. According to local auto magazine Car Advice, the waiting lists were even longer short while ago, extending well into 2016. Can you imagine having to wait two more years to get a small hatchback with a two-liter engine that you've just spent a fortune on? Only Mercedes can get away with something like this.

Sounds like these baby AMGs have been a bigger hit than even Mercedes had expected. But maybe a quicker way to make them needs to be found

 

[Mr Robert]

I understand why. These things, with a few mods, sounds like Cosworths did back in 1993...

 

[KiwiRob]

Interesting because I've been reading in other forums that the XX 45 AMG models have been fairly slow sellers and you can get some pretty impressive discounts on them.

 

[martinbo]

I think the A45 AMG siblings sound flatulently terrible. Subaru's much slower (on paper) WRX manual delivers a far more characterful drive by sounding better, handling more malleably and feeling more solidly built. [yes, I did just say that]

I reckon that Mr. Mercedes bought into the much better all round machine. Oz can have their waiting lists. For me the intriguing car is the GLA 45 AMG with its more supple suspension and genuinely attractive looks.

 

[Mr Robert]

The GLA will be the top seller here.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Interesting because I've been reading in other forums that the XX 45 AMG models have been fairly slow sellers and you can get some pretty impressive discounts on them.

Now where have you been reading that?

@martinbo the GLA45 wait list extends well into 2015 here as well, so all 3 variants are hitting it out of the park. Also, while I absolutely ADORE my S3, and wouldn't trade it back for the A45 EVER, I sometimes do miss some of the drama and sense of occasion that the 45 brought. The S3 is at times almost too slick. Oh and the 'sport' mode on the S3's gearbox is completely useless on public roads, hanging on to gears for it's dear life. I've spoken to the mechanics at the Audi Dealership about this and they confirmed it is just the way the transmission is. They agreed it's over the top.

 

[martinbo]

@Mr. Mercedes - I experienced something similar with the 981's Sport Plus mode. Very aggressive mode. Haven't driven the S3 yet but all I can say is: paddles - that's what they're there for.