新一代奔驰-AMGA45的照片已经多次被谍照记者拍到，其中某些原型车有两个排气尾管，而另一些车有四个尾管。很多人会觉得为什么同一款车会有两种不同的尾管，有传言称奔驰或许是在开发A45的混动版本。虽然奔驰已经证实新一代A45功率将达到400马力，但有报道称A45还有一款动力更强劲的版本，其内部编号为“Predator”（捕食者），或许该版本采用的是四排气尾管，这款车将在A级车生命周期的后半程发布。考虑到普通的W177车型要等到明年上半年才能发布，因此新一代A45还要等更长时间采用看到。随着去年6月奔驰-AMGGTR的发布，该车采用的Panamericana前格栅也将扩展到A45上。这两个版本都将标配前轮驱动，而捕食者车型还将对底盘进一步调校并很有可能对其他方面进行强化处理。新车搭载的2.0升引擎不仅功率更强，而且扭矩进一步增加，只有这样才能使其在与搭载五缸引擎的奥迪RS3Sportback竞争时具备更强竞争力。而定位在A45之下的车型也将是一款高性能版本，奔驰内部人士透露，该车可能会被命名为A324Matic或A364Matic。该车功率超过300马力，将填补218马力A250Sport和A45之间的空白。奔驰近日发布了2018款A级车内装，这意味着该车正式发布已经为期不远，新款A级车有望在明年3月日内瓦车展亮相。
New Mercedes-AMG A45 Caught In Action With Quad Exhaust
The next-generation Mercedes-AMG A45 has been spotted multiple times already and while some prototypes had only two exhaust tips (like the one in the gallery below), others were rocking a quad setup with oval exists. Some might ask why would there be two configurations of the very same car and one possible explanation has to do with that juicy rumor about a hybrid version being in the works.
While Mercedes-AMG has already confirmed the new A45 will hit the 400-hp mark, there’s one report about the possibility of an even more powerful derivate codenamed “Predator.” Perhaps the latter will be the one to receive the quad exhaust once it will debut later during the A-Class’ life cycle. Considering the regular W177 model won’t be unveiled until the first half of 2018, we will have to patiently wait for the A45s.
The Panamericana front grille will likely trickle down to the A45 following its debut on the Mercedes-AMG GT R in June 2016. Four-wheel drive will be standard for both versions of the hot hatch, with the Predator model slated to feature additional chassis tweaks and quite possibly other enhancements. Aside from generating more horsepower, the reworked turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine will also be massaged to deliver additional torque and allow the A45 put up a better fight against the five-cylinder Audi RS3 Sportback.
Slotting below the A45 models will be a warm version, which company insiders have suggested will carry the A32 4Matic or A36 4Matic badge. It will feature more than 300 hp and is going to bridge the current massive gap between the 218-hp A250 Sport and the A45, which in the outgoing model has 381 hp on tap.
An official debut of the regular A-Class probably isn’t too far away considering Mercedes has already revealed its interior cabin, so we might get to see it early March at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show.