Mercedes-Benz’s current A-Class made its debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, and an updated version of the stylish hatch is due to go on sale in select markets towards the end of this year, the U.S. not being one of them. A formal debut for the updated A-Class range is scheduled for September’s 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show but we’ll get our first look at the car, including its high-performance Mercedes-AMG variant, at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed kicking off Thursday, June 25.
We’re already seen prototypes for both the standard A-Class and Mercedes-AMG A45 testing in Europe, but so far all the cars have been heavily camouflaged. However, this image has been doing the rounds lately and is said to be a scan taken from an alleged brochure for the new A45. Compared to the current A45, this new one has a new, more rounded front bumper and the daytime running light design in the headlight has also been made more refined.
According to information sourced from the alleged brochure, the new A45 will come in two flavors: a standard model and an S model. Both will run the current model’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, but with output registering at 376 horsepower and 395 hp respectively. The current A45 is rated at 355 hp though Mercedes-AMG has said in the past that it wants to offer the most potent hot hatch, and that means dethroning the 362-hp Audi RS 3.
We’ll have all the information later this week so stay tuned. Also appearing at Goodwood will be Mercedes-AMG’s GT and C63 models, which will be joined by the Mercedes AMG Formula One team’s 2013 car as well as nine of the surviving W196 Silver Arrow racers of the 1950s. The appearance of the classic race cars will mark 60 years since they were last used in competition.
To see what else will be appearing at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, head to our dedicated hub.
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