Mercedes A45 AMG W176: giving the M133 its voice back, the complete exhaust system guide
When the A45 AMG arrived, no production 2-litre in the world did better: 360 hp from 1,991 cc, an engine hand-built in Affalterbach. Ten years on, the W176 remains a benchmark, but its factory exhaust has never told the story of what lies under the bonnet. Here you will find everything that matters before configuring the exhaust for your Mercedes-AMG A45 W176: catalytic converter, material, valves, tips and vehicle inspection.
Written by ROG Motorsport · Updated
Your ROG exhaust for the Mercedes-AMG A45 W176
From €2,490 in stainless steel, €2,990 in titanium
Configure my exhaust- Vehicles
- Mercedes-AMG A45 W176 2.0 turbo (2014-2018)
- Engine
- M133 · 360 to 381 hp · 450 to 475 Nm, depending on the version
- Exhaust
- Valved cat-back, built for your VIN
- Material
- 304 stainless steel or titanium
- Front section
- Optional: catted downpipe with 200 or 100 cells, or decat
- Valves
- ROG remote, or factory control if your vehicle has it
- Lead time
- 20 working days from order confirmation to delivery
- Warranty
- 3 years, parts and workmanship
Closely related versions have their own guide: Mercedes-AMG A45 / A45 S W177 2.0 turbo, Mercedes-AMG CLA45 C117 2.0 turbo, Mercedes-AMG GLA45 X156 2.0 turbo.
The M133: the four-cylinder that set a record
The 2.0 turbo in your A45 AMG W176 is called the M133, and it is the first turbocharged four-cylinder developed entirely by AMG. When it was launched, it held the world record for specific output from a production engine: 360 hp at 6,000 rpm and 450 Nm available from 2,250 to 5,000 rpm, around 181 hp per litre. No other production 2-litre engine could do that. To achieve this, AMG thoroughly reworked the block: sand-cast aluminium crankcase, forged steel crankshaft, forged pistons, NANOSLIDE-coated cylinder liners, the process used on the SLS's M159 V8, and a twin-scroll turbocharger. All of it hand-assembled according to the "One Man, One Engine" principle, with the engine builder's signed plate.
This engine was paired with the 7G-DCT dual-clutch gearbox and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. Technically, everything is there. What is missing is the soundtrack: the factory silencers are oversized and almost completely erase the engine's character. The ROG exhaust fixes that without touching the factory electronics. A point of reference before reading the table: the figures below are based on the 360 hp version, the one produced before the facelift.
How the exhaust on your Mercedes-AMG A45 W176 is put together
An exhaust system is best understood in two parts. Here is what each one does, and what ROG replaces.
The cat-back is the complete exhaust system
It is everything you can see under your Mercedes-AMG A45 W176, from the outlet of the front section to the tips: pipes, silencer, valves. This is the part where most of our research and development goes: it is what shapes the sound, and it is enough on its own to transform the car.
The front section, where the catalytic converter sits
On your Mercedes-AMG A45 W176, this is the downpipe, the pipe that leads away from the turbo. It contains the factory catalytic converter: the second restriction in the exhaust, after the silencer. Replacing it is optional: it frees up the flow, and it is the ECU remap that turns that into horsepower.
Your Mercedes-AMG A45 W176 in figures
An exhaust system is judged first by ear and on the scales. The extra horsepower comes from an ECU remap.
Power
Torque
Published factory and Stage 2 figures. Factory figures vary by version; Stage 2 figures published for the 381 hp version.
The ROG exhaust works with or without an ECU remap. To get the full potential out of your Mercedes-AMG A45 W176, we recommend taking it to an approved tuning centre afterwards.
Let's be frank: the exhaust alone brings a modest gain, purely through reduced back pressure. The M133's true potential is unlocked at Stage 2: exhaust plus an ECU remap at an approved tuning centre. It is one of the most responsive four-cylinders on the market, and the figures above stay well within its working range.
Configuring your exhaust, step by step
4 choices, in the same order as the product page configurator.
-
Step 1 of 4: Material: stainless steel or titanium
For your Mercedes-AMG A45 W176, the exhaust costs €2,490 in stainless steel and €2,990 in titanium.
304 stainless steel
€2,490
- Weight
- Baseline
- Sound
- Full and rounded
The safe bet: strong, corrosion-proof, with a full, rounded sound. The best value for money.
Titanium
€2,990
- Weight
- Around 40% lighter
- Sound
- Metallic, crystal-clear
It makes the exhaust around 40% lighter for the same design. Its note is more metallic and clearer higher up the rev range, and its finish ranges from brushed to blued.
No worries on durability: 304 stainless steel shrugs off winter road salt and titanium does not rust. Stainless steel or titanium: what really changes.
-
Step 2 of 4: Front section: downpipe and catalytic converter
Optional: the downpipe on your Mercedes-AMG A45 W176, with its catalytic converter. Each option is placed on our sound scale of 0 to 10, valves open, with the factory exhaust at 3.
Cat-back only
Included
7/10Factory emissions control
The factory front section stays in place. It is already a complete transformation, and the choice of many of our customers.
200-cell sports catalytic converter
+€630
8/10Road use and inspection
More flow, emissions control retained: the right option for road use.
100-cell sports catalytic converter
+€630
9/10Inspection: depends on local rules
More open than the 200-cell: the sound hardens at high revs and emissions control is reduced.
Decat
+€400
10/10Track use
Flow with no filter at all: the rawest sound and the sharpest response.
Sound intensity, on a scale of 0 to 10
- 10/10Decat downpipe + ROG cat-back
- 9/10100-cell sports catalytic converter + ROG cat-back
- 8/10200-cell sports catalytic converter + ROG cat-back
- 7/10ROG cat-back only, factory catalytic converter retained
- 3/10Factory exhaust, for comparison
Valves open. With the valves closed, every configuration becomes discreet again.
What about the engine warning light? With a sports catalytic converter it can come on, because the rear oxygen sensor reads less cleaning. Nothing mechanical is wrong: an ECU remap or a session with a diagnostic tool sorts it out. Without a catalytic converter, you will need an ECU remap. If it happens to you, call us and we will point you in the right direction. Passing vehicle inspection with a sports exhaust.
-
Step 3 of 4: Valves: ROG remote or factory control
Two ways to control the valves on your Mercedes-AMG A45 W176.
ROG remote
A discreet control unit in the boot and a two-button remote: you open and close whenever you like, independently of the drive modes. For fitting, we support you by phone or by email.
Factory control
- Only for vehicles fitted with factory valves
- Controlled by the drive modes
For vehicles fitted with factory valves: the exhaust connects to their control and the drive modes stay in charge, with no extra control unit.
At 130 km/h, many sports exhausts drone. Here, with the valves closed, the exhaust flows through the silencer and stays composed when cruising; open, it makes itself heard when you choose. More about exhaust drone.
-
Step 4 of 4: Tips: the visual signature
Match the tips to the style of your Mercedes-AMG A45 W176, understated or bold. A particular finish in mind? Send us a photo and we will look at it together.
- Stainless steel
- Black
- Carbon
- Blued titanium
The ROG sound signature on the AMG 2.0
The M133 has the voice of a racing engine that the factory exhaust almost completely smothers. Our exhaust gives it back: a fierce, full tone, an aggressive climb through the revs and rich crackles on the overrun with the valves open. Valves closed, the W176 goes back to being the discreet hatchback it has always known how to be. Two cars, one exhaust.
From order to fitting
-
Configuration
You configure the exhaust and enter the VIN from box E of your registration document or from the base of the windscreen.
-
Check
Your VIN is checked before any manufacturing begins.
-
Manufacturing
The exhaust is produced to order, for your vehicle.
-
Delivery
Free in Europe, insured parcel, tracking number from dispatch.
-
Fitting
Around two hours in the workshop, with no welding or cutting.
20 working days from order confirmation to delivery
- Warranty
- 3 years, parts and workmanship, from the date of delivery
- Payment
- In instalments with Klarna
- Installation
- At the garage of your choice
Is your Mercedes-AMG A45 W176 still under the manufacturer's warranty? In Europe, the manufacturer cannot refuse it simply because a part from another brand has been fitted: it is up to them to prove the fault comes from it. Our article on the manufacturer's warranty.
Our recommendations for your Mercedes-AMG A45 W176
-
Daily driving
€2,490
- Stainless
- Cat-back only
- ROG remote
Your Mercedes-AMG A45 W176 stays easy to live with, the factory emissions control is retained, and you open the valves when you decide.
View this configuration -
Fast road
€3,620
- Titanium
- 200-cell downpipe
- ECU remap
The best of both worlds: character and breathing, with emissions control retained.
View this configuration -
Track
€3,390
- Titanium
- Decat downpipe
- Stage 2
The most extreme configuration, for track use only.
View this configuration
Every Mercedes-AMG A45 W176 has its own history and use: if none of these profiles fits you, let's talk.
Mercedes-AMG A45 W176: your questions
How much power does an exhaust add on the Mercedes-AMG A45 W176?
As standard, the Mercedes-AMG A45 W176 produces 360 to 381 hp and 450 to 475 Nm, depending on the version. The exhaust alone acts first on sound, breathing and weight; the extra horsepower comes from an ECU remap. With a Stage 2 build, the published figures for the 381 hp version reach 430 hp and 570 Nm.
Stainless steel or titanium: which material for the Mercedes-AMG A45 W176?
For the Mercedes-AMG A45 W176, the ROG exhaust costs €2,490 in stainless steel and €2,990 in titanium. Stainless steel is the safe bet, with a full sound; titanium makes the exhaust around 40% lighter and gives a more metallic note higher up the rev range.
Do you need to replace the catalytic converter on the Mercedes-AMG A45 W176?
It is not compulsory. The cat-back alone is enough to change the character of the Mercedes-AMG A45 W176. Replacing the downpipe is how you go further, together with an ECU remap: 200 cells for the road, 100 cells or decat for more radical use.
Will a ROG exhaust pass vehicle inspection on the Mercedes-AMG A45 W176?
The cat-back only and the 200-cell converter keep emissions control: present the Mercedes-AMG A45 W176 with the valves closed. With the 100-cell, acceptance at the emissions test depends on the car and local rules; the decat is intended for track use.
How is the ROG exhaust fitted on the Mercedes-AMG A45 W176?
With clamps and gaskets, no welding or cutting: around two hours in the workshop for a well-equipped mechanic. The exhaust is built to the VIN of your Mercedes-AMG A45 W176.
What price and lead time for a ROG exhaust on the Mercedes-AMG A45 W176?
From €2,490 to €3,620 depending on the configuration. Allow 20 working days from order confirmation to delivery. Delivery is free and the exhaust comes with a 3-year warranty.
Unsure about your configuration? Give us a call.
Stainless steel or titanium, cat-back only or the complete system: the right choice depends on how you use your Mercedes-AMG A45 W176. We take the time to talk it through before you order, with a reply within 24 hours. We are not here to sell to you over the phone: we help you choose, even if that means a cheaper option because it suits the way you drive.
ROG is a French brand, and the way we work comes down to one idea: an exhaust system should be sold with advice, not just a product page. More than 500 exhaust systems fitted and a rating of 4.9 out of 5.
Further reading
Read next
- Mercedes-AMG SLC43 R172 V6 biturbo: an open-air V6, the exhaust system guide The SLC43 is a compact roadster with a retractable hard top, which AMG equipped with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo...
- Mercedes-AMG E55 W211 V8 Kompressor: the wolf in a business suit, the exhaust guide With the E55 W211, AMG slipped a 476 hp, 700 Nm supercharged V8 into an E-Class that looks...
- Mercedes-AMG CLS53 C257: the return of the straight-six, the exhaust system guide A four-door coupé with flowing lines, the CLS53 C257 benefits from Mercedes' return to a layout the brand...