It’s powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces a staggering 416bhp, yet it ticks over quietly and smoothly in traffic.

Meet the Mercedes-AMG A45 S.

The German firm makes an S and a standard 382bhp version of the car, but we’re only getting the full-fat S in the UK which costs a rather scary 65.500 USD.

That’s plenty enough to pay for an A-Class hatchback, however much performance it has.

The test car, however, is an A45 S Plus which adds adaptive dampers, an aerodynamic package, a Burmester sound system, and a few other bits and bobs.

That puts this Mercedes up against some very substantial opposition that includes BMW’s stunning M2 Competition, but you’re certainly not going to be disappointed by the car’s performance as it’ll leave your eyes as wide open as the price.

Not surprisingly, but to the disappointment of your local tire shop, the A45 S is four-wheel drive via Mercedes’ eight-speed double-clutch transmission which, thanks to a new rear differential that incorporates two multi-disc clutches, can send as much as 50% of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels.

Yours for 74.000 USD.

The various driving modes available include an Individual setting that allows you to tailor your own selection of steering, throttle response, and other factors.

A Drift mode is also available which is utterly pointless for the public road. Launch control is standard and that’s another one for the race track only, please.

This is a very fast car and if you think about it simply in performance terms the A45 S is good value for the money.

It has a top speed of 168mph and using the aforementioned launch control it will do 0-62mph in 3.9sec which puts it on the same page with supercars and not four-door hatchbacks that will take your family shopping or on holiday.

That job the A45 S will do, but if those journeys involve rough road surfaces then your family or friends will not thank you.

The ride comfort isn’t that bad considering the big wheels, brakes, and sports-orientated suspension set-up, especially in the Comfort setting.

The grip is no issue, even on damp roads. The steering should have loads of feel and the way the car catapults itself out of corners as the four-wheel-drive system and traction control manipulate the torque must be astounding.

The A-Class in its cheapest form is A class act, yet Mercedes has thrown even more at the car’s already impressive interior for this big-buck and big-bang version.

Heated sports seats are standard while our Plus-spec car adds leather and also brushed aluminum that looks excellent alongside the gloss black plastic on the rest of the dashboard.

It’ll eat rivals like the Honda Civic Type R and Renault Megane RS Trophy for breakfast.