Is a Hot Hatch a Better Buy Than a Mid-Engine Sports Car?
The Mercedes-AMG A45 S takes on the Porsche 718 Cayman T in a battle of practicality and power vs. looks and handling.
We are not sure how many people cross-shop a two-door, two-seat, mid-engine sports car with a four-door, hatchback. The folks at Auto Trader UK must feel it happens on occasion though, as they pit the Porsche 718 Cayman T against the Mercedes-AMG A45 S. Porsche and Mercedes are compared all the time, but usually, they are similar car types, and this time they couldn’t be more different. Can a hatchback hold a candle to a dedicated sports car?
From the day it was born the Porsche Cayman has been the benchmark mid-engine sports car in this price range. It never overwhelmed with power or staggering performance numbers. However, its mid-engine design contributed to brilliant handling to go along with beautiful styling. As a package, it is a wonderful driving car.
The car reviewed here is the T model, which throws in performance-enhancing options such as a limited-slip differential, active torque vectoring, active engine mounts, larger wheels, and Porsche active suspension management with a lower ride height. As Rory Reid says, “This is the definitive drivers’ car. And more than that, it’s the definitive version of the definitive drivers’ car.”
Can a hatchback really complete with that? Well, Porsche did help Mercedes and other competitors out a bit here. With the 718 they ditched the sonorous flat-6 engine and replaced it with a turbo 4 unit. It provides a decent 300 horsepower punch, but it lost that special feeling and wonderful sound. “Can you hear that? Yeah, to me that doesn’t really sound like a Porsche. It sounds more like disappointment,” says Reid. So, what does Mercedes bring to the table?
For starters, it brings two more doors, a large rear hatch, and an additional 121 horsepower to play with. In a straight-line drag race, the A45 S will demolish the Cayman T. The advantages don’t stop when racing light to light, the Mercedes will allow you to bring three of your friends along for the ride.
The Mercedes also has a better interior. As Reid says, “The whole thing just feels incredibly special.” And even though both vehicles use a turbo 4 cylinder, the Mercedes power plant sounds much better. “I know 4-cylinder engines tend to not sound that great, but the one in this A45 S just sounds tremendous,” says Reid.
The Mercedes also entertains in the way it handles. While maybe not as precise as the Cayman, it is a hoot to throw into the corners. The car actually has a drift mode and will do genuine power slides. With its high levels of grip and all-wheel drive the A 45 S always feels quicker than the Cayman, especially if the roads are cold and damp. “It’s just a nice, fun car to drive really fast,” Reid concludes. So, is it the better buy?
There are no losers here. Anyone bringing one of these cars home is going to have a wonderful automobile in their driveway. Ultimately it comes down to what you are after in your new car purchase. Do you want that flashy, dedicated sports car with the knife-edge handling? Or, do you want a do it all performer that can blast down the road no matter what the conditions and put a big smile on your face? If you can’t decide, then perhaps having both is the way to go, and certainly would give you a very well-rounded garage.
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