While we have yet to see the hottest version of the new A-Class hatchback in production guise, Mercedes-Benz has reportedly confirmed to Autocar magazine the basic details of the upcoming A45 AMG, which was previously thought to be named A25 AMG.
The A45 AMG will be the first series production AMG model with a transversely mounted engine.
The report confirms that power will come from a heavily modified version of the A250’s 208hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine tuned to deliver 330hp (335PS) and “maximum torque significantly above 295lb ft (400Nm)”.
These numbers put the A45 AMG on par with two of its closest rivals, the Audi RS3 SportBack that features a 2.5-liter force-fed inline five with 335hp (340PS) and 332 lb-ft (450Nm), and the new BMW M135i hatchback that sports a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six delivering 315hp (320PS) and 332 lb-ft (450Nm).
A seven-speed dual clutch gearbox will feed all-four wheels through a specially tuned Haldex-style multi-plate clutch, with the engine’s torque said to be delivered primarily to the rear wheels under load.
The same driveline will be used on the upcoming CLA 45 AMG compact sports sedan.
The A45 AMG will also bring about a stiffer suspension setup, a recalibrated three-stage ESP system, more powerful brakes and a reworked electro-mechanical steering system, along with a new body kit that will improve the hatchback model’s aerodynamic properties.
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