Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG Hot Hatch Spied Testing at Nürburgring
A pre-production Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG has been filmed lapping the Nürburgring as AMG engineers fine-tune the first compact hot hatch from Affalterbach.
Mercedes-Benz’s upcoming A45 AMG has been caught on video undergoing track testing at the Nürburgring, offering an early look at the brand’s first compact hot hatch as it nears production. The footage, taken in August 2012, shows the heavily camouflaged prototype lapping the circuit as AMG engineers work on final calibrations.
The A45 AMG marks a new direction for AMG, which has previously focused on larger, rear-wheel-drive performance models. This new hot hatch is based on the latest A-Class platform and features a turbocharged four-cylinder engine developed with AMG’s High Performance Engine division. The unit is rated at 330 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, making it one of the most powerful engines of its type at the time.
Assembly of the AMG engine takes place at Affalterbach, the home of AMG, before the engines are shipped to Mercedes’ Kölleda plant for installation. This is the same facility responsible for four-cylinder engines in the A- and B-Class ranges. The A45 AMG’s arrival signals Mercedes’ intent to challenge established hot hatch rivals with a model that combines everyday usability with high performance.
Nürburgring testing reveals AMG priorities
The Nürburgring video shows the A45 AMG being driven at pace, though not flat out, as engineers focus on chassis tuning and durability rather than outright lap times. The car keeps its camouflage, but visual cues include wider arches and larger wheels compared to the standard A-Class. The exhaust note is subdued in the footage, suggesting the car is still in the calibration phase.
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that the A45 AMG will make its official public debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The hot hatch is intended for European and other select markets, but there are no plans for a US launch at this stage. Its main competitors are expected to include the Audi RS3 and BMW M135i, both of which also use turbocharged engines and focus on combining performance with everyday practicality.
- Turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine
- 330 hp and 400 Nm torque
- All-wheel drive (expected, based on platform and rivals)
- Dual-clutch automatic transmission (expected)
- Production engine assembled at Affalterbach
AMG expands into new territory
The A45 AMG’s development at the Nürburgring highlights AMG’s move into the competitive hot hatch segment. While the model’s full technical details and performance figures will be confirmed at Geneva, the early signs point to a car designed to appeal to enthusiasts seeking AMG performance in a more compact and accessible package. For more on AMG’s compact performance range, see our coverage of the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG Black Series spied testing at Nürburgring.
