More baby AMGs coming

Mercedes-AMG has announced it will deliver a two-tier range of compact high-performance cars starting from next year’s all-new A-Class.

The Mercedes-Benz high-performance brand, which this year celebrates its 50th birthday, will deliver two different performance and price points from its go-fast junior models.

The idea is similar to the two-tiered strategy it already uses on its larger cars, which use both the 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo power in the ‘43’ models and 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo power in the ‘63’ models.

Therefore expect a new ‘AMG-lite’ version of the next A-Class, likely to be dubbed ‘A 36’, to go with the new A 45, which may also be joined by an even hotter, 300kW-plus A 45 S.

The first AMG off Mercedes’ upgraded MFA front-drive architecture will be next year’s A 45 AMG, followed by hot versions of the next CLA sedan and GLA crossover spread across the next two years.

“The compact car family is going to be extended,” AMG Chairman Tobias Moers confirmed.

“The Concept A sedan [pictured, as seen at the Shanghai motor show in April] has typical AMG features, so you can expect that from AMG as well.

“We will complement our successful ‘45’ models with new performance versions, with two versions, like we do with larger cars.”

Meanwhile, although Moers initially resisted demands to produce the ‘43’ V6 -- the first AMG powerplant not to be built by hand by one craftsman in Affalterbach -- he insisted the push for 100,000 models a year hasn’t taken the edge of AMG’s independence.

“Future four-cylinder performance engines will also be built in Affalterbach,” he said.

“We have to ensure AMG is independent within a big group. We have our own strategy and we decide how our products are defined.

“We are part of the worldwide Daimler R&D network. We have new stand-alone AMG performance centres, with some coming to Dubai and Sydney, and we have the first one in Tokyo.”