The Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG has been spotted testing at the Nürburgring.
Mercedes has wasted no time in getting to work on a high-power AMG version of its yet-to-be-launched GLA low-rise crossover, with the new model expected to use the same drivetrain as the A45 AMG hatchback.
That means a 355bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine driving all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The taller body, greater frontal area and high ride height is likely to slightly blunt the GLA AMG’s performance compared with the A45, but expect a 0-60mph time of well under 5.0sec. Land Rover’s hot Evoque, likely to be badged RS, is unlikely to be as powerful as the performance-focused GLA.
Mercedes is also testing a Black Series version of the A45 AMG. It is marked out by slightly wider wheel arches on a prototype that otherwise looks close to the ‘standard’ AMG version.
The biggest challenge for engineers involved in building a Black Series version will be extracting more power from the car’s 2.0-litre engine. In the A45, it is already developing 177bhp per litre.
Ford revealed that it managed to extract 220bhp from its 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine during testing, so a 200bhp per litre target - or 400bhp for the A45 Black Series - is not impossible. But ensuring such an output can be achieved from an engine that remains reliable enough for series production will be no mean engineering feat.
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Mercedes' onslaught
Mercedes' onslaught on the C-Segment continues. If Mercedes decides to shift these in numbers, the days of Volkswagen Group's domination of the segment look numbered.
On the matter of the horsepower per litre, I'm astonished by Mr Holloway's lack of faith in Mercedes engineering. Need we say this is the marque that pretty much started it all.
Why GLA......
.......when there is the GLK already?
200bhp/litre is easy and reliable,
200bhp/litre is easy and reliable, it was done many years ago for the EVO FQ400. First one had a short service interval, then the revised model had a long one that was more miles between service than a lot of normal supermini.
It was just a bit expensive. Maybe volvo can make a similar car but cheaper? The FQ400 was about £50,000 I think.