Mercedes-Benz has confirmed limited details to its most affordable performance model to date – the Mercedes-AMG A45 (2013-2018).
Set to go on sale in early 2013, the Audi RS3 and BMW M135i rivaling hatchback sits at the top of the new third-generation Mercedes A-class line-up at an unconfirmed price that is expected to start at around £35,000 in the UK.
The first series production AMG model with a transversely mounted engine runs a heavily tuned version of Mercedes-Benz’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol unit, as used in the standard A250 Sport set for UK sale by the end of the year.
With a specially developed free flow cylinder head and unique induction system among a myriad of other power boosting modifications, the M270 Evo designated unit is claimed to deliver 330bhp and what AMG describes as "maximum torque significantly above 295lb ft".
Developed in partnership with the German car maker’s High Performance Engine offshoot based in Brixworth, England, the new engine is the most powerful four-cylinder ever placed in a Mercedes production model.
"Our goal right from the start was to match the output of the larger turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine used by the RS3," says Tobias Moers, head of development at AMG.
By way of comparison, the RS3’s EA255 engine delivers 335bhp and 332lb ft torque, while the M135i, which is powered by an uprated version of BMW’s N55 turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder unit, pushes out 316bhp and the same 332lb ft.
As first revealed by Autocar, the A45 AMG channels its drive through a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox and, in a layout that mirrors that of the RS3, a specially tuned Haldex-style multi-plate clutch to all four wheels.
To provide the new car with typical rear-wheel drive AMG handling traits, the engine’s torque is delivered primarily to the rear wheels under load.
No performance claims have been made prior to the A45 AMG’s official unveiling at AMG’s Affalterbach headquarters in Germany this week, but Mercedes-Benz insiders suggest it will match the claimed 0-62mph time of the M135i, which BMW puts at 5.1sec for the six-speed manual equipped version.
The inclusion of fuel saving features such as automatic stop/start and brake energy recuperation also has Mercedes-Benz claiming the A45 AMG will be the most economical car in the hot hatch ranks.
In a bid to provide the price leading AMG model with class leading dynamics – including what one AMG insider described to Autocar as "the highest corner speeds among its rivals", AMG’s engineering team has provided it with a largely unique chassis set-up – the likes of which has undergone extensive testing both on the road and at the Nürburgring.
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RWD bias isn't possible
I repeat, you will not get RWD bias with this type of Haldex setup. If the front and rear wheels have the same amount of available grip, it's mechanically impossible to push more than 50% of the power to the rear wheels.
@Azarian The reason the
@Azarian The reason is that the Veyron's Haldex is a completely different setup. The way that Haldex is most commonly applied (and as it is in the A45, Golf R, TT quattro's) is as a way to provide drive to the rear wheels of what is essentially a FWD transaxle. It does this by taking a driveshaft to a rear mounted Haldex clutch pack which can regulate whether the rear wheel get zero drive variably through to them being locked to the front wheels giving a 50:50 split. As is it impossible to reduce the torque going to the front wheels, 50% is the most RWD bias such a setup can provide (unless the front wheels lose grip). Haldex claim that up to 100% of the drive can be chanelled to the rear wheels but this can only occur when the front wheels have ZERO traction (like when they are no longer on the ground for example). "RWD bias" is technically impossible to achieve with this setup. This sort of Haldex setup is essentially FWD most of the time, with the rear wheels getting engaged as required when the Haldex controller determines that the front wheels may soon be in need of assistance. It's technically very clever, but it's not "true" AWD like the Subaru or Audi Torsen designs which have a centre differential and can apportion more drive to the rear than the front.
Weird
I dont think A45 AMG rolls or the tounge quite as nicely as say S63 AMG or ML63 AMG, anyway sounds like its going to be a seroiusly hot hatch but all the power in the world dosent make it the best drive in the class.