New Mercedes-AMG A45 Confirmed With 400+ HP, Drift Mode Possible


Mercedes-AMG is set to regaining the hot hatch crown with the all-new A45, based on the third generation A-Class.

Speaking to journalists present at the Geneva Motor Show, AMG chief, Tobias Moers confirmed what everyone already knew: the car will arrive with over 400 horsepower, from a new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, TheMotorReport reveals.

“It’s going to be 400+ horsepower. What we are doing for the next generation (A45) is we’re engineering a brand new engine, a 2.0-liter engine that is everything new – nothing common with the existing one“, said Moers. “But that doesn’t make sense unless you have driving dynamics equal – I’m not a fan of over-powered cars.”

So, in addition to the new powertrain that brings the upcoming AMG A45 into a different league, the hot hatch will also benefit from other mechanical upgrades. Thus, expect the ever present 4Matic AWD system, tweaked chassis, steering and brakes, in addition to other work carried beneath the new sheet metal, including a rumored ‘Drift’ driving mode.

When questioned about the latter, Tobias Moers declined to comment. However, if the new Mercedes-AMG A45 is indeed getting this feature, then it will place the ball in the Ford Focus RS’ court. The Michigan-born hot hatch is also waiting for a replacement that could arrive in 2019 or 2020.

As far as the Stuttgart-based company’s hot hatch goes, it will arrive later this year and, for the first time, it will be joined by a lesser model, presumably called A35, to asses of the Audi S3 Sportback problem.

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