---
title: "Tuned Mercedes-AMG A45 Has a Staggering 518 HP From Just a 2.0L Four-Cylinder"
description: "Top speed? A measly 202 mph."
date: "2020-04-29"
modified: "2020-04-29"
authors:
  - name: "James Gilboy"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/33223/tuned-mercedes-amg-a45-has-a-staggering-518-hp-from-just-a-2-0l-four-cylinder"
categories:
  - "Mercedes-Benz News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Mercedes-AMG"
---

# Tuned Mercedes-AMG A45 Has a Staggering 518 HP From Just a 2.0L Four-Cylinder

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/04/89847682_881720812293091_4741777530777578556_n.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Thirty years ago, you could almost identify the only cars capable of hitting 200 mph simply by looking at their sleek, low-slung bodies alone. Today, with another three decades' knowledge of turbo technology under their belts, tuners can reach that milestone with almost anything, [even SUVs](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/20420/this-2000-horsepower-237-mph-nissan-qashqai-is-the-worlds-fastest-suv>). As such, it's little wonder that German tuner Posaidon found a way to take even the itty-bittiest of Mercedes-AMGs, the A45, all the way to a potential top speed of 201 mph.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9zBhwQIsBZ

Breaking the iconic barrier is done by amping up the A45 AMG's turbocharged 2.0-liter—[already the world's most powerful production four-cylinder](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/28415/mercedes-amgs-new-416-hp-turbocharged-four-cylinder-engine-is-the-worlds-most-powerful-four-banger>)—with [Posaidon's "RS525" package](<https://posaidon.de/tuning/mercedes/a/w177/a45-amg-177>), which improves much of the furious little family car's induction and exhaust systems. A ball-bearing turbocharger pulls air through an "optimized" intake and crams it through an upgraded intercooler and into the combustion chamber, then back out again through a stainless steel downpipe and an exhaust with optional, high-flow racing catalytic converters. Tuned to run on the equivalent of 93-octane gas, this pint-sized Mercedes can produce an eye-popping 518 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, which can catapult the A45 RS525 from a standstill to 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds.

With that level of accelerative performance, the A45 RS525 could definitely use a bit of extra stopping power for when your [radar detector](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/9171/why-radars-detectors-matter-more-than-ever>) goes off, and for extra cash, Posaidon can upgrade the A45's brakes too. Its RS525 package can be optionally ordered with six-piston front calipers that are fed by stainless steel brake lines and can clamp down on 14.4-inch scalloped brake rotors. It'd be a wise investment if you plan to make regular use of all them 518 horses.

One can't help wanting to see Posaidon's A45 RS525 face off against [HGP-Turbo's VR6-swapped Volkswagen Golf R](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/31234/watch-a-two-door-vr6-swapped-vw-golf-r-touch-220-mph-on-the-autobahn>), though given that the latter produces at least 769 horsepower, it'd be a rather one-sided race. Sadly, it's a showdown that'll never happen in America, where only the A-class sedan via A35 AMG trim. Posaidon, however, can still [wave its trident at the A35 AMG](<https://posaidon.de/tuning/mercedes/a/w177/a35-amg>) to give it 350 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, which are more than enough to make pesky Mustang drivers back down for good.

*Got a tip? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com*

*h/t:* [*Evo*](<https://www.evo.co.uk/mercedes/a45-amg/202546/this-mercedes-amg-a45-s-has-a-201mph-top-speed>)

## Author
James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids."

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/jamesgilboy>)