The three-year-old Mercedes-Benz A-Class->ke452 is about to receive a mid-cycle refresh, even though it has been on the market for such a short time. A facelifted prototype of the model has been spied inside and out, and some parts of its refreshed interior are obvious under the light camouflage. As you can see, the refreshed model will feature a new design for the steering wheel, and some parts of the center console will receive improved trim and new interior LED lighting.

The model's exterior will have fewer restyled features though, as Mercedes-Benz->ke187 decided to operate on the A-Class' specifications and overall technical package instead of going for an overly visual refresh. Since the Audi RS3 has recently dethroned the A45 AMG as the world's most powerful hot-hatch, it is expected that the the Merc will get a more powerful version of the turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder it is equipped with.

Keeping in line with the recent Mercedes-AMG->ke8 strategy, when it comes to both nomenclature and model lineup, the facelifted A45 AMG will likely get two versions, along with a name change. The base model will be renamed Mercedes-AMG A45 and will feature an engine that develops around 380 horsepower, while the more-powerful A45 S is expected to come with over 400 horsepower, just like AMG boss Tobias Moers hinted in 2013. Both the AMG and the regular A-Class should be unveiled in September, at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Continue reading to learn more about the revised Mercedes A-Class.

Why it matters

Based on the MFA (Modular Front-wheel-drive Architecture) platform, the third-generation A-Class has been astoundingly successful. None of its predecessors has sold so well in so little time, so it's no wonder that Mercedes-Benz wants to keep the momentum and refresh the model. Don't expect too many new lines on the exterior, as most of the differences will be found under the hood.

The Renault-sourced, 1.5-liter diesel engine could be replaced by a newer, 1.6-liter, diesel borrowed from Renault->ke72, that has already made an appearance on the new C-Class.->ke1593 More power and less fuel consumption on almost every version is expected, while the biggest changes will be found under the hood of the AMG versions. It's not a bad time to be in the market for a hot-hatch.

Mercedes A-Class - spy shots

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