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Mercedes-AMG Testing A40 Model to Take on Golf R and Audi S3

Before 2011, Mercedes wasn't known for making compact cars. But they've gotten so good that they will surpass Audi pretty soon. One good example of this is the A40, a diluted AMG model designed specifically to compete with cars like the BMW M140i, the Golf R, and Audi's own S3 hatchback.
Mercedes Testing A40 AMG Model to Take on Golf R and Audi S3 5 photos
Photo: YouTube screenshot
Even though this generation of the A-Class is a spectacular improvement over its forgotten predecessors, some mistakes were made. We suspect that this is the reason why Mercedes are developing a successor so soon. The conventional models will be ready next year, coming out at about the same time as the GLA's mid-life facelift.

The CLA sedan and its crossover cousin are arguably more important because of the roles they play in China and the U.S. However, the A-Class is becoming the tip of the compact segment spear because of the role of the A45.

This uber-expensive hyper hatch is almost guaranteed to surpass 400 horsepower in its next iteration. But the problem with that is it creates a huge gap between the normal range and the AMG. The prototype captured in this spy video by Walko Art will probably fix that.

It's believed to be called the A40 and from its 2.0-liter turbo engine, at least 300 horsepower should poor our. Mercedes never like to lose power wars, so we wouldn't be surprised to see 340 hp just so that it can match the M140i.

This is all the car a regular speed freak needs, as it will get him from 0 to 100 km/h in about 4.5 seconds. That's an identical time to the W204 C63 AMG sedan. Of course, the hot hatch performs several tricks to be that fast, launching with all four wheels in a frenzy of revs. But today's performance cars are more about knowing you have the capacity to go fast than actually doing it.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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