M-B A-class A45 AMG

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evo has learned that Mercedes is set to launch its first ever hot hatch in 2013. Called the A25 AMG, it will have four-wheel drive, a twin-clutch gearbox and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with ‘more than 335bhp’ that is currently being developed by AMG’s High Performance Engine division in the UK. If Mercedes manages to deliver on the project’s targets, then the finished A25 will be closer in spec to a Group B rally car than a mainstream hot hatch.

AMG boss Ola Kallenius told evo that the new A-class has a ‘clear sport gene’ but admitted that it could not deal with AMG levels of performance while remaining front-driven. ‘Pure front-wheel drive I would be extremely sceptical of from a performance point of view,’ he told us in a recent interview. ‘That would create understeer.’ AMG has solved the powertrain dilemma by mating the four-cylinder engine – a development of the existing ‘M271’ petrol motor – to a four-wheel-drive transmission. We can also expect the car to get a twin-clutch gearbox.

Kallenius cites the four-wheel-drive ML63 AMG as an example of how an all-paw drivetrain can be made sporting. The A25 is thought to stick with a development of the standard A-class’s MacPherson strut front suspension, with a unique multi-link back axle supporting the delivery of power to the rear.

Mercedes’ HPE division is based in Brixworth, Northamptonshire, and is developing the A25’s turbocharged 2-litre four-cylinder engine. This is thought to use technology from the turbocharged 1.6-litre Formula 1 engine that was developed for a cancelled set of F1 technical regulations – and it will be one of the most powerful series-production four-cylinder engines ever built. Kallenius is a former boss of HPE, and has given the Brixworth engineers the target of over 335bhp – more than the five-cylinder Audi RS3 and the forthcoming six-cylinder M135i (see page 14).

The combination of compact dimensions, turbocharging and four-wheel drive has often yielded thrilling results – think Mitsubishi Evo, Subaru Impreza and Lancia Delta Integrale – but few of these force-fed heroes have been noted for their comfort. Kallenius was keen to stress that while any AMG product ‘needs to be a thoroughbred performance car through and through’, it must also be refined. ‘It has a star on the hood… which means it should carry everyday usability and a base level of comfort,’ he told us. ‘You can take it to Silverstone or the Hockenheimring and throw it around the track, but you still need to have a car you can drive every day and enjoy on your way to work.’

The A25 AMG will feature styling very similar to that of the ‘Concept A’ shown at last year’s Geneva motor show, but a Mercedes insider has told us that the production car is likely to be launched in five-door guise, rather than with three doors like the concept. evo’s exclusive artist’s rendering shows the car with typically aggressive AMG styling – Kallenius is determined to ensure that AMG cars are, visually, ‘even more unique inside the Mercedes-Benz family’. Pricing has yet to be announced, but expect to pay over £35,000.

And the A25 AMG is unlikely to be the only compact performance Mercedes based on this mechanical package. We’re told that the A-class and B-class ‘family’ is set to swell to five models, with the B-class spawning a compact ‘CLC’ coupe that will also get the AMG treatment. ‘We have a very aggressive growth and technology strategy,’ said Kallenius.

Tantalisingly, we also hear that further ultra-hardcore Black Series versions of AMG’s products will be unveiled over the next couple of years. Although it is unlikely the A25 AMG will be subject to the extreme Black treatment, a B-class-based CLC coupe with 400bhp+ is a real possibility.
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Source

So, M-B will attempt it's luck on hot hatch segment, of which it has no experience whatsoever.. This can either go really well or really badly. :nervous:
 
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Well at over 35k I predict probably quite badly. However good the car may be I don't think they quite understand that hot hatches should also be affordable.
 
Wow. 330+ HP and AWD from a car smaller than the Corolla? Where is this coming from? Was there ever any rumblings of this coming out?
 
Well, it seems that there are some spy shots and so on from this month. Just google M-B A-class A25 AMG and you should get some hits.
 
Over priced and over powered. I love it! I'll never be able to afford a hot hatch so any of them are dream cars for me. I like insane dreams! ;)
 
sumbrownkid
Is the BMW 1M the closest competitor to this?
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No, Audi RS3. Almost the same hp and 4WD also.

I'm so happy Merc are finally getting in on the act for the joint best all round class of car you can buy at last.
 
I know that the US is getting the new A-class but are we also going to get the AMG version?


finished A25 will be closer in spec to a Group B rally car than a mainstream hot hatch.
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:eek:
I want one.
 
RocZX
I know that the US is getting the new A-class but are we also going to get the AMG version?


:eek:
I want one.
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GrB road versions were 1100kg and 200-250bhp.. unless it's around that ballpark, I'm not going to get excited.
 
So, apparently the early designation info was wrong, and this is called A45 AMG instead.

2.0 Turbo, 360bhp and 450Nm, though dyno sessions have proved this to be underrated slightly. 4.6s 0-60(manuf. claim), top speed limited to 155mph/250km/h. Weighs in at 3100lbs/1400kg, not bad considering AWD+7-speed DCT. Lighter than the CLA version, and apparently more agile.
 
Chris Harris has a great video of it.



Its performance is quite unbelieveable, given it's a 4 pot.
 
You mean, quite believable considering we've been getting that much horsepower out of turbocharged 4cylinders for several decades?
 
ShobThaBob
You mean, quite believable considering we've been getting that much horsepower out of turbocharged 4cylinders for several decades?
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Well, in stuff like Mitsubishi Evos that average 15 mpg, 150 miles on a tank and feel like crap unless you're driving them at eleven tenths.

People had been getting 1000bhp from cars for years too but that doesn't make the Bugatti Veyron any less spectacular for making it driveable at low speeds too.
 
homeforsummer
Well, in stuff like Mitsubishi Evos that average 15 mpg, 150 miles on a tank and feel like crap unless you're driving them at eleven tenths.

People had been getting 1000bhp from cars for years too but that doesn't make the Bugatti Veyron any less spectacular for making it driveable at low speeds too.
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Yeah, it's cool and all, but is a jump of 50hp really all that amazing or spectacular? I don't think so. I'm sure it'll be a fun car and I'd probably like to own one. We'll see what real world fuel economy ends up being.
 
ShobThaBob
Yeah, it's cool and all, but is a jump of 50hp really all that amazing or spectacular? I don't think so. I'm sure it'll be a fun car and I'd probably like to own one. We'll see what real world fuel economy ends up being.
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When did he say the horsepower jump was spectacular? He's saying that the fact that the jump in refinement and driveability for such a powerful engine is spectacular. And I would agree with him on that.
 
I just don't see it. It seems like a reasonable jump and nothing to be too surprised about. Mitsubishi's 4B11T isn't exactly racous after a tune and breathing mods. MPG requirements are just a tuning thing based on the testing cycles required by the government.
 
I see it more as Mercedes-Benz AMG offering a car such as this more than anything. And them charging their usual premium. Its not RWD. its a hatch. And its pretty much built to be driven by celebrities who just inked new record deals. :P

Cant wait to drive it in GT6!
 
AudiMan2011
The A45 could get even more power for it's facelift.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/mercedes-benz-plans-more-power-facelifted-a45-amg
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That is definitely, definitely a willy-waving thing in response to Audi's new RS3 and VW's rumoured Golf R 400. The A45 really doesn't need more power than it already has.

I say this as someone who has driven the A45 back-to-back with a C63 AMG Edition 507. The A45 is very nearly as quick on paper and on the road felt even quicker. If AMG is making it faster, it's pretty much a headline-grabbing exercise.
 
MORE?! It's already the most powerful hatch out there.. Unless they're already countering the 400bhp Golf R that will be debuting soon.
 
homeforsummer
That is definitely, definitely a willy-waving thing in response to Audi's new RS3 and VW's rumoured Golf R 400. The A45 really doesn't need more power than it already has.

I say this as someone who has driven the A45 back-to-back with a C63 AMG Edition 507. The A45 is very nearly as quick on paper and on the road felt even quicker. If AMG is making it faster, it's pretty much a headline-grabbing exercise.
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ur such a dummy b/c

1316595744_clarkson-power.jpg
 

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