IT looks to me as though Mercedes may have shot itself in the foot with the A45 AMG super hot hatchback.

Although it boasts an amazing 350bhp from a turbo 2.0-litre engine, it's fully £6,500 more expensive than both the Audi S3 Sportback and the BMW 135i M hatch  - and they each accelerate almost as fast.

The A45 has a few things in its favour though. It combines breath-taking performance with real practicality and the security of all wheel drive.

Its engine is said to be the most powerful series-production four cylinder in the world and the four-wheel-drive chassis is claimed to supply tremendous levels of grip giving amazing road holding.

It probably has one of the best economy figures for any car in the class, managing a claimed 40.9mpg average.

But such an uncompromising hot hatch is bound to have a rock-hard ride and this makes slow journeys on potholed town roads most uncomfortable.

The top A-Class comes with a dual clutch automatic gearbox giving split second changes, stop/start, driver adjustable stability control and twin square exhausts.

It also comes with 18-inch alloys, bodykit, sports seats and a carbon fibre dash. Options include an AMG performance suspension, rear aerofoil, an uprated exhaust and red brake callipers.