Mercedes-Benz took the wraps off its all-new A-Class earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show, and now our spy photographers have uncovered the hotter, AMG variant of the small hatch.
Mercedes-Benz has so far done a good job keeping the details of the A-Class AMG a secret, but our spies managed to catch this prototype with very little camouflage.
At the front it is clear the A-Class AMG will have a revised lower bumper, with larger air inlets present to help with engine and brake cooling. And judging by this prototype’s massive cross-drilled rotors, that extra cooling will be necessary.
Out back the A-Class AMG is will adopt a new bumper to accommodate larger AMG exhaust outlets.
Drivetrain
All of AMG’s current products are based on rear-wheel drive vehicles, which poses a problem for the front-wheel drive A-Class. In order to get around this dilemma – and the prodigious amount of torque steer it would produce – Mercedes has decided to fit the A-Class AMG with all-wheel drive.
But even the grip of all-wheel drive will be put to the test in the A-Class AMG, thanks to a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that we hear will produce upwards of 350 horsepower. Shifting duties should be handled by a semi-automatic dual-clutch gearbox.
Look for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class AMG to debut later this year at the Paris Motor Show.
