Many expected the second-gen Mercedes-AMG A45 to
premiere at last month’s Geneva Motor Show but, unfortunately, that didn’t
happen. Still, the German automaker is building up interest for its upcoming
uber hatch with new images that depict the car undergoing winter testing.
These pictures were captured in Sweden’s Lapland and
show a pair of A45s sliding through the snow while wearing colorful camouflage
wraps. Our own spy photographers have come across these bright prototypes in
the past, while Mercedes has already released a video at the same location –
and while many of their parts are hidden under the eye-catching wraps, some key
design aspects are visible.
For starters, it’s worth noting that the new
Mercedes-AMG A45 won’t be much more aggressive than the A35. In fact, it will
share many styling traits with its less-powerful sibling; these A45s even
appear to have the same roof-mounted rear wing as the A35. Unlike the latter,
though, the A45 does receive a bespoke rear diffuser and features four
tailpipes rather than two.
Camouflage makes it difficult to pick up on some of
the styling elements at the front end, but we know that the hot hatchback will
feature AMG’s Panamericana front grille, something the A35 missed out on. The
hot hatchback will also feature large air intakes and should be offered with
aerodynamic canards similar to those on the previous-gen model.
Powering the new A45, that will come with all-wheel
drive as standard, will be a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It will,
reportedly, be offered in two versions: a 383 hp one for the base model, and
416 hp for the range-topping S.
