Mercedes-Benz’s in-house performance god AMG is working hard on two front-wheel drive-based offerings based on the forthcoming A-class hatch and CLA four-door coupe.
The A45 AMG will arrive first in March 2013. It packs a hyper-tuned 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that’s said to match its Audi RS3 rival’s 250kW and 450Nm.
This kind of muscle would be too much for trad front-drive to handle. So AMG will shoehorn an on-demand all-wheel drive system underneath. These types of systems act primarily as front-drivers until the front tyres reach their tractive limits, then engine power is apportioned to the rear wheels as well.
Early indications point to a circa-$70k price tag for the A45 AMG, roughly on par with its nearest locally available rival, the BMW M135i.
As for the CLA -- which Benz will no doubt label a four-door coupe, and suggest familial ties with the bigger CLS sedan -- it will employ the same turbocharged four-cylinder engine, Haldex part-time AWD and seven-speed dual-clutch combo as the A45. But we’ll have to wait until after mainstream CLA models launch in 2014 first.
Click here to download the Wheels Magazine digital edition via our magshop app!
For all the latest from Australia's original and best motoring magazine...
Like WHEELS on Facebook
Also read
Watch: Ferrari's brilliant F12 Berlinetta video
Lamborghini reveals topless super coupe
Wheels drive: BMW M6
Wheels drive: McLaren MP4-12C
Wheels drive: Bentley Continental GT Speed
Wheels drive: BMW 528i
Wheels drive: Subaru BRZ
Wheels drive: Audi S6/S7 first drive
Wheels drive: Honda Civic
HOME