New Mercedes-AMG A45 gets leaked ahead of debut

The next Mercedes-AMG A 45 has been leaked ahead of its planned debut, based on these images posted by Instagram user @wilcoblock. The car seen here appears to be the top-of-the-line A 45 S variant, which is one of two being offered, with the other being the A 45.

As far as visual cues go, the A 45 is noticeably more aggressive in appearance when compared against the A 35. The Panamericana grille is the most obvious highlight here, and the vertical-slat setup has been applied on development cars sighted in the past.

The lower apron is something we’re seeing properly for the first time, and is shaped in a similar fashion to larger AMG siblings like the C 63 and GT 4-Door Coupe, with prominently large air intakes. Another reminder of the heightened performance the A 45 offers over a regular A 35 are the “power creases” on the bonnet.

Around back, you’ll also find four exhaust pipes, which is another styling aspect reserved for the “truest” AMG models. Other items seen on the car’s exterior include a rear spoiler nearly identical to the A 35, large wheels with red-painted brake calipers and an aero kit – black canards and a front splitter lip.

The German carmaker has already provided early details about the engine that will power the new A 45, and it’s the M139. A replacement for the previous M133 power unit, the new mill is a 2.0 litre four-cylinder with a single twin-scroll turbocharger that puts out between 387 and 421 PS, as well as 480 to 500 Nm of torque.

The engine is completely different from the uprated M260 found in the A 35, which only serves up 306 PS and 400 Nm, with Mercedes-Benz claiming it to be the most powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine in series production.

GALLERY: New Mercedes-AMG A 45 development testing