2020 MERCEDES-AMG A45 Spied at the Nurburgring, Might Ruin Hot Hatchbacks

We might even say that it will ruin hot hatchbacks for everybody else who can't afford a Mercedes-AMG. Yes, it has a 2-liter turbo engine, just like a Honda Civic Type R or Golf GTI, but the way in which it rockets to 100 km/h will reset expectations. Also, we know that it comes with drift mode.

Two or three years from now, people might actually expect drift capabilities from their hot hatch. Who knows, maybe BMW shouldn't have switched the 1 Series over to a FWD platform. Of course, the way in which the A45 drifts is completely artificial, using computers instead of welded diff and a 2JZ engine swap. But who cares?

Mercedes is almost finished with the "35" family of new performance models, which all have 306 HP. This includes the A35 hatch, the CLA coupe, and the shooting brake. Pretty soon, the GLB 35 crossover will join them. However, at least a few of those will also get the super-powerful "45" configuration as well.

Besides a substantial price increase, the A45 will also bring serious hardware upgrades. Expect to see more carbon fiber trim, perhaps a ceramic brake option for the track and interior bits from bigger AMG models. And for the first time ever, two models will wear the name. Normal A45 versions are expected to boast 387 HP while the A45 S ill bring 421 HP.

Despite weighing about 1,450 kilos, this should allow it to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in under 4 seconds. A few Nurburgring records here and there aren't out of the question either.