Mercedes-AMG A45 S V BMW M2 CS V Porsche Cayman 718 GTS 4.0
Three very different sports cars, one track, one winner
The Mercedes-AMG A45 S, BMW M2 CS, and the Porsche Cayman 718 GTS 4.0 are very different machines. Whilst each is unique in its own right and represents a new level of performance in its line-up, the build philosophy behind each one couldn’t be more different. But how will they compare when pitted against each other at the Lausitzring?
For starters, the Mercedes-AMG A45 S is a hatchback. It also packs the most powerful series-production 2.0-litre four-cylinder on the planet, outputting 310kw and 500nm. It features a front-mounted engine but uses an all-wheel-system to put its power down. The trick all-wheel-drive system even has a drift mode. So advanced is the system, that it allows the ‘king of the hyper hatches’ to rocket from 0 to 100kph in just 3.9 seconds. It has also lapped the Nurburgring in a time of 7:48. At present, it is retailing for R1 067 840 in South Africa.
The Porsche meanwhile, employs a traditional Porsche layout. A mid-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive guarantee optimal traction. Whilst the GTS 4.0 isn’t the flagship Cayman that you can buy – that honor is reserved for the R 1 563 000 Cayman GT4 – it is widely touted as being the best bang-for-buck Cayman on the market today. In true driver’s car fashion, it features a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre straight-six, which produces 294kw and 418nm, whilst being paired to a 6-speed manual. It’s quick around the Nurburgring too, with Porsche claiming a time of 7:40. Porsche South Africa has the 718 GTS 4.0 priced from R1 253 000.
And lastly, we have the limited-edition BMW M2 CS. Much like the M4 CS, it sheds weight and gains more power. Compared to the M2 Competition, the M2 CS’s M4-sourced twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline-six produces 331kw and 550nm – up from 302kw. It is however front-engined and rear-wheel drive, so despite it being track-honed, it is tail happy enough to put a smile on the driver’s dial. It is available with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT and can run from 0-100kph in 3.8 seconds. An official Nurburgring time has yet to be announced, but it should be significantly quicker than the M2 Competition’s 7:50 effort. BMW South Africa will launch the M2 CS in limited numbers, towards the end of the year, and it will be sold off via auction only, with many expecting it to fetch close to R2 million each.
Who is your money on?
Also worth a look: the Mercedes-AMG A Class and the Mercedes-AMG G Class.
FAQ
Q: Which car is fastest between the Mercedes-AMG A45 S, BMW M2 CS, and Porsche Cayman 718 GTS 4.0?
The Mercedes-AMG A45 S is quickest in a straight line with its 0-100kph sprint in 3.9 seconds, but the Porsche Cayman 718 GTS 4.0 dominates on track with its 7:40 Nurburgring lap time compared to the AMG's 7:48.
Q: What does the BMW M2 CS cost in South Africa compared to its rivals?
The BMW M2 CS was a limited edition model that typically retailed around R1,200,000 when available, positioning it between the Mercedes-AMG A45 S at R1,067,840 and the Porsche Cayman 718 GTS 4.0 at R1,253,000.
Q: Which of these three sports cars offers the best value for money?
The Mercedes-AMG A45 S delivers exceptional bang for buck at R1,067,840, offering 310kW from the world's most powerful production 2.0-litre engine plus all-weather capability with its advanced all-wheel-drive system.
Q: Should I buy a manual or automatic version of these cars?
Only the Porsche Cayman 718 GTS 4.0 offers a proper 6-speed manual gearbox for purist driving thrills, while both the Mercedes-AMG A45 S and BMW M2 CS come with advanced automatic transmissions optimised for performance.
Q: Which car is most practical for daily driving in South Africa?
The Mercedes-AMG A45 S wins on practicality with its hatchback body style, all-wheel-drive traction for wet conditions, and lower R1,067,840 price point, making it the most usable supercar for SA roads.
Should You Buy It?
The best track-focused sports car under R1,300,000 in SA is the Mercedes-AMG A45 S at R1,067,840. Yes, you should absolutely buy it if you want maximum performance per rand. While the Porsche Cayman 718 GTS 4.0 offers pure driving bliss with its manual gearbox and mid-engine balance, and the BMW M2 CS provides that classic rear-drive thrill, the AMG simply delivers more bang for your buck. You get 310kW of fury, a sub-4-second sprint time, drift mode for weekend shenanigans, and enough practicality to use it every day. Unless you specifically crave the manual Porsche experience or can find a rare M2 CS, the A45 S represents the sweet spot of performance, price, and daily usability in this trio.
