Mercedes-AMG drifts towards A45 reveal
BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 24th Dec 2018
MERCEDES-AMG has left fans an early Christmas present with a video on its YouTube channel that stars the new-generation A45 hot hatch, in camouflage, drifting its way around a test track in northern Germany.
While its less powerful A35 sibling is set to touch down in Australia in the second half of next year, fans of the full-fat A45 will have to wait a little longer – most likely early 2020 – for a taste of the new-gen range-topper.
The video gives a few hints as to what direction the new A45 will take, and one thing made abundantly clear by the video is it will have a fondness for getting sideways, aided by a drift mode function which was confirmed for the new model in October by AMG boss Tobias Moers.
Before screaming onto the track, the A45’s driver can be seen selecting the Sport+ drive mode button, which no doubt helps the A45’s front-biased all-wheel-drive system break loose.
Visually, the teaser video suggests the new A45 will sport the same roof-mounted spoiler as its successor, as well as quad-exit exhaust pipes and large alloy wheels.
Also visible is the MBUX touchscreen infotainment system used to scroll through a number of Christmas carols, as well as a digital tachometer that may point to a sport-specific instrument cluster layout.
Mercedes-AMG has confirmed that the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol powerplant underpinning the A45 has been developed from scratch, and the brand is chasing a power boost over the current-gen A45.
The company has gone on the record saying it is chasing a power figure of more than 300kW, which could be boosted up to 320kW – representing a 40kW increase over the 280kW in the outgoing version.
If it exceeds 300kW, the A45 would be the most powerful hot hatch on the market, eclipsing the 294kW benchmark set by the 2.5-litre five-cylinder unit under the bonnet of the Audi RS3.
It would also re-set the benchmark of most powerful four-cylinder production engine on sale in Australia.
The video shows the engine giving a raucous aural experience with plenty of burbles and pops – typical of an AMG offering.
When the A45 arrives it will complete the new A-Class range, which until then will be topped by the A35 – a nameplate that has not previously existed – that uses a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine tuned for 225kW/400Nm.
Both the 35 and 45 model grades are expected to be spread to other small Mercedes offerings including the GLA and CLA.
More information on the A45 will be made available when it is revealed.
