AMG boss dismisses Focus RS drift mode

Mercedes-AMG has already confirmed its next-generation A 45 will produce more than 300kW in a bid to remain the world's most powerful hot hatch, but it's also expected to bring a revised all-wheel drive system to stay up to speed with the multi-dimensional AWD systems of some rivals.

One clear distinction between the baby Merc and other hot hatch philosophies is Mercedes-AMG boss Tobias Moers' position on ‘drift modes’ in four-cylinder cars.

He’s not a fan of the wording, as evidenced by these comments at the New York motor show overnight.

“I know the Focus RS. It’s OK, but it’s not drift mode,” he said.

“You can do donuts in that mode, but drifting on a racetrack – it’s not possible.”

Despite the criticism, Moers was non-committal on whether the second-generation A 45 would be capable of either drifting or doing donuts.

He did, however, reiterate the need for a 300kW-plus output in the new A 45, which is due as soon as next year.

With Audi recently raising the tempo to 294kW in its upcoming RS 3 hatch and sedan  and BMW constantly honing its venerable in-line six, Moers confirmed AMG was working on a new four-cylinder engine for the next A 45 that would easily out-perform the current 280kW offering.

Like AMG's current four-pot, the same engine should also power the next-generation CLA 45 sedan and GLA 45 crossover.

Mercedes-AMG had been expected to match Audi with a 294kW A 45 'S' after official brochure images revealing just that were leaked back in June 2015.

However, following the release of the upgraded 280kW A 45 as part of the midlife A-Class facelift in September 2015, Mercedes said that was "wrong" and that there will be no A 45 S in this generation.

Now Moers says he has set his team a clear target for the second instalment of the baby AMG as it develops the new A 45.

“You need to achieve at least 400 horses [about 300kW], that’s for sure,” he said.

“We have a clear understanding of what we have to achieve. We know now the [current engine] is at the limit.

“It’s too early to talk about the details, because then I give a clear hint to my competitors. I’m not going to do that.”

Speculation is mounting that Mercedes-AMG could debut a new electric turbocharger system in the next A 45, and Moers did little to hose down that talk this week.

“Electric turbo is something we have a close link to but maybe not in that first version,” he said, leaving the door open to perhaps a hotter version of the A 45 later on.

Moers later confirmed electric turbochargers were “still years away”.

The current A 45 has been an out and out success for Mercedes-AMG, springing to the pointy end of the sales charts in Australia.

Judging by Moers’ sentiments, AMG plans to maintain that momentum when the updated version reaches showrooms.