The AMG 45 series is an impressive lot, offering high-strung four-cylinder performance and oodles of Mercedes-branded gloss for just over $50,000. Now, word has it the next batch will come with even more heat under the hood.

More Power, More Better

This latest news comes to us from our friends at Autoblog, who recently spoke with AMG boss Tobias Moers at the 2019 New York Auto Show.

For your reference, the current crop of AMG 45s’ come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 375 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, which routes to the pavement through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and AMG 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. Sixty mph arrives in 4.1 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited at 155 mph.

The power boost is definitely impressive, especially once you start digging into the details. Road & Track also caught up with Moers in New York recently and discovered that despite the big turbo and outlandish output, the new 45 series should offer sharper throttle response than the current 45 series.

Despite similarities with the 2.0-liter ‘four in the current 45 series, the new batch of 45’s will come with a fresh engine design. Unfortunately, details are still under wraps, but with just 2 liters of displacement making 420 ponies, the new powerplant will be whipping out a whopping 210 horsepower per liter, besting such heavy-hitters as the McLaren 720S (178 horsepower per liter) and the Bugatti Chiron (188 horsepower per liter).

As such, the current seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission will get tossed in favor of an upgraded eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Moers also confirmed that the 45s’ all-wheel-drive system will differ from that of the 35s’, and although he did not provide exact details, he did mention that the system “doesn’t know what understeer means.”

That’s especially important when you consider most high-powered all-wheel drive vehicles tend to scrub their nose when pushed hard, and with 420 horsepower on board, the potential for frustrating front-end wash is quite high.

And that’s insane. After all, high-3’s is something you’d expect from sports cars like the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S or Corvette Grand Sport - not a compact Mercedes.

Suffice it to say; we’re stoked to see what Merc has waiting for us. Look for the new 45 series to debut sometime this year.

2019 Mercedes-AMG A35 Performance Figures

Further Reading

Read our speculative review on the 2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45.

The Geneva-Bound 2020 Mercedes-AMG A45 Could Eclipse 400 Horsepower

Read our full review on the 2019 Mercedes-AMG A35.