Mercedes A45 AMG (2015): power boost for Merc’s superhatch

Published: 27 May 2015 Updated: 27 May 2015

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG revised for 2015
Power upgrade and a light facelift
Due to go on sale later in summer

Seems like only yesterday the Mercedes A45 AMG first powered onto the scene but Merc’s already preparing a revised version, set to reach showrooms later in summer 2015.

What can we expect from the revised Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG?

When the A45 AMG was launched in 2013 it became one of the most powerful hot hatches on the market, with 355bhp from its turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol four-pot. That was enough to comfortably trump the likes of the BMW M135i’s 316bhp and the Audi S3’s 296bhp.

In recent months though, the new 362bhp Audi RS3 has muscled onto its patch and VW is readying a super-Golf with as much as 400bhp. The hottest of hot hatches now have power outputs to rival classic supercars, and AMG won’t want to be left behind. So despite an already heady specific output of 178bhp per litre expect Affalterbach’s engineers to squeeze yet more horsepower still into a more powerful variant, rumoured to be called the A45 AMG S. Don’t rule out the total power output starting with a ‘4’.

Anything else?

Expect some light styling alterations, bringing the A45 into line with other recent AMG models such as the new C63 AMG.

To that end, the lightly camouflaged car pictured testing in Germany features an altered front bumper design, likely with a similar ornamental blade feature to that of the C63, and bulkier disguise at the rear masking the central diffuser section.

Click here to read CAR’s review of the current Mercedes A45 AMG.

By James Taylor

Former features editor for CAR, occasional racer

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