Volkswagen Golf R Advance

BMW M135 xDrive

Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic＋ Final Edition

I was surprised at the difference in their personalities.

The three cars in this competition are intentionally positioned so close to each other that it makes you wonder if they’re competing head-to-head, with a 2.0-liter or smaller turbocharged four-cylinder engine mounted horizontally and all-wheel drive.

This time, it’s a showdown between compact hatches from German manufacturers. The BMW M135xDrive is the fastest model of the 1 Series, which underwent a full model change at the end of last year. As the name suggests, it is an M Performance model, and is equipped with an inline 4-cylinder turbo that produces 300 PS.

Meanwhile, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ Final Edition is a vibrant car with its AMG Green Hellmagno color scheme and stripes. As the name suggests, it is the final limited edition car in the series. The M139 engine, said to be the most powerful of its generation, produces an impressive 421 PS from its 2.0-liter displacement.

Golf R with 13PS more power

Taking on the challenge of the latest BMW and the final limited edition Mercedes-AMG is Volkswagen’s Golf R. This model debuted in 2022, but has just recently undergone a minor change. What is particularly noteworthy is that the maximum output, which was 320 PS in the previous model, has been increased to 333 PS. The body color is once again Lapis Lazuli Blue, the color that is synonymous with the Golf R!

When I looked at the three cars side by side, I noticed that the Alpine White M135 lacked aura. BMW M and white bodies should go well together, but when compared to the distinctive AMG and the Volkswagen, which succeeded in conveying the impression of a “fast Golf” just through its body color, it looked like a basic grade car. The wheel design also seemed less aggressive than the other two. Anyway, I decided to start with the brand new M135.

The interior has a special feel thanks to the M sports seats. The red accents on the top of the steering wheel rim and the paddle shifters are also M-esque.

M135 xDrive with excellent drivability

I had heard beforehand that the M135 would not be very comfortable to ride. However, when I started driving, it was quite the opposite, a flat and quiet ride that didn’t even bother me about the unevenness of the road. I thought that, but I realized that this was because I was driving at a low speed on a smooth road. When the road surface changes, it can suddenly become rough, and sometimes it absorbs bumps smoothly, but sometimes it hits me with a thud. It’s quite a temperamental feeling.

That said, the stiff and light body is typical of the latest generation BMW. The 300PS engine feels powerful enough to warrant the necessary effort. The driving mode is also a modern type that can be selected on the monitor, but those expecting a sporty driving experience will not be pleased. There is not enough explanation about the current state of the engine and suspension. The Goodyear Eagle F1 tires also have a rounded shoulder feel that is transmitted through the steering wheel, and the feeling of gripping the road as firmly as expected is not conveyed. The impression is that the M135 is more balanced than I had imagined (excluding ride comfort).

Next, I tried out the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S. The previous model had 365 PS, but after a full model change, it now has 421 PS. However, this dinosaur that dominated its era is finally reaching its final days.

The most ferocious of the three: the A 45 S 4Matic+

The final-edition energy drink-like exterior may be a matter of taste, but the yellow accents and buckskin-like materials in the interior give it a sporty feel. When you press the start button, the sound and acceleration are so different that it’s hard to believe it’s a C-segment car, and the AMG theater begins.

What’s impressive about the A 45 S’s driving is its sharpness. The steering is direct, and the interaction between the engine and the 8-speed DCT is nothing short of brilliant. The driving modes, controlled by the dial on the steering wheel, are also easy to understand.

Even if you step on the throttle to catch the car off guard, the car accelerates instantly and sharply, and it feels like you’re wearing a power suit, making you feel invincible. If car chases were a competitive sport, the A 45 S would surely be the best.

The Golf R’s latest infotainment system is easy to use.

Compared to the rock-solid A 45 S, the M135 has many ambiguous aspects that make it a poor choice. That being said, comparing an M Performance model with an AMG top model is nonsense. So how does the later-model Golf R stack up against these two?

This was smooth and not at all eccentric, which was really good. Rather than the ride being smooth, it felt like the whole car had matured and been smoothed out. The acceleration doesn’t feel as violent as the A 45 S, but the speed increase is still incredibly good. It was a long time ago when I test drove the previous model Golf R, so I can’t compare, but it didn’t feel old at all.

What impressed me about the Golf R’s driving was the excellent balance between the powertrain and suspension. I could control roll speed and cornering behavior with the throttle, just like I was driving a lightweight sports car.

The M135 xDrive features a distinctive curved display

I realized that this was a good point of the Golf R because I didn’t feel that way in the A 45 S. It felt like acceleration and deceleration and cornering were controlled separately, and I didn’t feel much of a sense of agility.

As I picked up the pace further with the Golf R, I noticed some interesting handling characteristics. With the throttle on, it turned more clearly, but with the throttle off, it tended to understeer. In other words, it was the opposite of what you would normally expect. This was the effect of the R Performance Torque Vectoring installed on both sides of the rear differential, and after turning in, I could aggressively apply the throttle and enjoy incredibly fast cornering.

I tried a similar maneuver in the A 45 S, but it didn’t work as well. The power tends to overshoot, the brakes are a little abrupt, and the stability control seems to intervene too quickly.

The luxuriously equipped A 45 S 4Matic+ final edition

Moreover, compared to the Golf R, which stays on the rails even when the pace is increased, the A 45 S easily develops understeer. The A 45 S is also supposed to have AMG torque control (torque vectoring) on ​​the rear, but perhaps the tires don’t have enough grip, so the effect isn’t felt like it is on the Golf R. When you seriously compare the two cars, the A 45 S’s performance, while impressive, feels old-fashioned.

The M135 had a good engine and suspension relationship regardless of pace, but it still felt like it was no match for the Golf R. It’s only just debuted, so we’ll have to wait and see, but if BMW is going to be successful in this battle, they’ll need to offer a genuine M.

The winner of the battle is the Golf R!

If you’re looking for excitement and individuality, the A 45 S or M135 are also good choices, but the later model Golf R stands out in terms of balance and lack of blind spots. It’s a sumo match typical of the manufacturer that created the world of C-segment hatches.

REPORT / Takuo YOSHIDA

PHOTO / Koichi SHINOHARA

MAGAZINE / GENROQ May 2025 issue

SPECIFICATIONS

Volkswagen Golf R Advance

Body size: Length 4295, width 1790, height 1460mm

Wheelbase: 2620mm

Vehicle weight: 1520kg

Engine type: Inline 4-cylinder DOHC turbo

Total displacement: 1984cc

Maximum output: 245kW (333PS) / 5600-6500rpm

Maximum torque: 420Nm (42.8kgm) / 2100-5500rpm

Transmission: 7-speed DCT

Drive system: AWD

Suspension: Front MacPherson strut, rear multi-link

Brakes: Front and rear ventilated discs Tire

size: Front and rear 235/35R19 235/35R19

Vehicle price: 7,499,000 yen

BMW M135 xDrive

Body size: Length 4370, Width 1800, Height 1450mm

Wheelbase: 2670mm

Vehicle weight: 1570kg

Engine type: Inline 4-cylinder DOHC turbo

Total displacement: 1998cc

Maximum output: 221kW (300PS) / 5750rpm

Maximum torque: 400Nm (40.8kgm) / 2000-4500rpm

Transmission: 7-speed DCT

Drive system: AWD

Suspension: Front MacPherson strut, rear multi-link

Brakes: Front and rear ventilated disc

Tire size: Front and rear 225/45R18

Vehicle price: 6.98 million yen

Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ Final Edition

Body size: Length 4455, Width 1850, Height 1410mm

Wheelbase: 2730mm

Vehicle weight: 1670kg

Engine type: Inline 4-cylinder DOHC turbo

Total displacement: 1991cc

Maximum output: 310kW (421PS) / 6750rpm

Maximum torque: 500Nm (51.0kgm) / 5000-5250rpm

Transmission: 8-speed DCT

Drive system: AWD

Suspension: Front MacPherson strut, rear multi-link

Brakes: Front and rear ventilated disc Tire

size: Front and rear 245/35ZR19

Vehicle price: 11.5 million yen

【inquiry】

Volkswagen Customer Center

TEL 0120-993-199
https://www.volkswagen.co.jp/

BMW Customer Interaction Center

TEL 0120-269-437
https://www.bmw.co.jp/

Mercedes Call

TEL 0120-190-610
https://www.mercedes-benz.co.jp/

Related reading

“The new leader in the C-segment hatch market?” Test drive of the new BMW M135 xDrive confirms its potential

The ever-popular 1 Series in Japan has finally been reborn into its fourth generation. The top-of-the-line model is the M135, equipped with a four-cylinder turbo engine that produces 300 PS/400 Nm. Here’s a detailed report on the driving experience of this revamped C-segment hot hatch. (Reprinted and reorganized from the February 2025 issue of GENROQ)

Related reading

Introducing the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ Final Edition, a limited edition of 300 units, featuring three unique colors.

Mercedes-Benz Japan has announced the special edition “Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ Final Edition” of the sports compact model “A-Class.” Orders for a limited run of 300 units have begun through the nationwide Mercedes-Benz authorized dealer network. Customer deliveries are scheduled for late November 2024.