Mercedes A45 AMG set for power upgrade

A more powerful version of the Mercedes A45 AMG hot hatch could reach up to 400bhp, says AMG boss

    Mercedes could be ready to up the ante in the hot hatch war by hiking the power on its A 45 AMG. The 355bhp 2.0-litre turbo is currently the most powerful hot hatch on sale. But the imminent arrival of the 362bhp Audi RS3 has thrown down the gauntlet to Mercedes.

   AMG boss Tobias Moers told Auto Express at the Detroit Motor Show: “We have some more interesting ideas for our compact cars.” And he added: “We have the most powerful four-cylinder engine in the world, 
and when you are number one you are chased.

    “We have [the] Volkswagen [Group] coming after us, but obviously we want to stay number one.” 
And Mercedes research boss Thomas Weber added: “This development – adding power, torque, making cars more fun to drive – will never end.”

    The upgraded Merc is likely to boast around 375bhp when it arrives later this year, but has the potential to go higher on a Black Series model if required.

    Asked directly if 400bhp was possible from this engine, Weber said simply: “Yes.” This would take the A 45 past the 395bhp of the Volkswagen Golf R400 concept unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show, which VW has hinted could make production at some point.