“It is important for our customers to have the most powerful car in the segment,” explained Mercedes-AMG boss Tobias Moers.
The output of the current A 45′s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine was recently bumped from 355 to 381 horsepower in a bid to fend off a slew of upcoming competitors including Volkswagen’ 400-horsepower Golf R400 and the 382-horsepower BMW M2. Engineers have taken the engine to its limit, so the next A 45 will be powered by an entirely new turbo four likely designed in-house by AMG.
The four-banger will send power to all four wheels via an automatic transmission and an evolution of the current model’s 4Matic all-wheel drive system. It is too early to provide performance specifications, though we can say with near certitude that the turbo four will also power the next CLA 45 and GLA 45.
Mercedes-Benz is investing over $1 billion to shift production of its next-gen compacts from Hungary to Germany. Sources close to the automaker have hinted the next A will launch in 2018, and the lineup will be quickly expanded with a sub-CLA sedan as well as with a convertible and a coupe designed to beat the Audi TT.
The hatchback is unlikely to make the trip over the Atlantic, but expect to see the TT-fighting convertible and coupe models land here shortly after their official debut.
What’s next?
The A will be the first model to inaugurate Mercedes’ new compact platform. Replacements for the B, the CLA and the GLA – which will all ride on the same platform and be built in the same factory – will be introduced before the end of the decade.
Live images by Ben Hsu.
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