MERCEDES-BENZ has jumped into to the hot hatch market in Australia with the launch of the A-Class-based A250 Sport.

The German company has set the cat among the pigeons with its 155kW A-Class flagship that can race to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds.

Gutsy performance and Volkswagen Golf-esque styling flourishes should ensure the A250 Sport will lure new buyers that might not have previously considered a Mercedes-Benz.

The sleek-looking hatch will face an uphill battle with a slew of new hot hatches readying for release this year, including a new generation of the aforementioned Golf GTI.

Can the A250 fend off the competition and carve out a slice of the hot hatch market?

Click on Our Opinion to find out.