The second generation of the ballistic Mercedes-AMG
A45 is shaping up to be one of the biggest weapons in the hot hatch
segment. Mercedes is keen to up the ante with the new generation
model in order to keep rivals like the Audi RS3 at bay.
Autocar reports that the 2019 Mercedes-AMG A45 is
going to feature an extensively reworked version of the M133 2.0-litre turbo
engine, which is targeting to offer the highest specific output of any AMG
production car engine.
The new engine will offer more
than 200 hp per liter. The
reworked M133 engine will feature a twinscroll turbocharger but AMG is also
planning a more powerful, hybrid version of the same engine for future use,
complete with a 48V electrical system and an electrically-driven turbocharger.
The new model, which is nicknamed ‘the Predator’ by company insiders, will be
able of a 0-100 km/h in less than four seconds.
A nine-speed dual-clutch gearbox along with a
faster-reacting all-wheel drive system that features torque vectoring will be
responsible for putting the increased power to good use.
Mercedes has also confirmed a second AMG version of
the next A-Class, which is going to be positioned underneath the A45. The new
model is reportedly going to adopt the A32 or the A36 nameplate and will
challenge models like the VW Golf R and the Ford Focus RS, featuring more than
300 hp.
Visually, the next Mercedes-AMG A45 will
draw its inspiration from the Concept A Saloon, with the company saying that
the customer feedback has encouraged them to give the new hyper hatch a more
extreme design than that of the current model.
Cr : Carscoops