Speaking with journalists at the Frankfurt Motor Show, AMG boss Tobias Moers hinted that the high-output, four-cylinder engine that is currently under the bonnet of the Mercedes-AMG A45 would migrate to bigger cars. Without giving us more information, the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine - the one with the highest specific output in the world - could reach the C-class or even larger automobiles.

Where Can Mercedes-AMG Fit The High-Output M139 Engine?

The GLB is likely to get it soon for its AMG GLB 45 edition. However, this application isn't as exciting as some other possibilities. See, the Mercedes-AMG is in a massive transition. The company looks to transform the buyers' perception of the brand by introducing small-displacement units with extreme power. Now, the time has come for these units to move upscale. Let me ask you if you would consider the AMG C63 as cool if it had a hybrid system based around this M139 four-banger with around 600 horsepower?

Of course not. It would lack the sound, the character, and, after all, the rebellious nature which pushes it to challenge the norm.

The thing is that Mercedes-AMG still isn't done with the M139 evolution. So one can dream.

Mercedes-AMG's head of engine development, Ralph Illenberger, also said a word or two about the possible evolution of an already amazingly powerful engine:

"There will be more to come," Illenberger said. "There's always room for improvement. But 416 horsepower is really quite a high number, especially when it's also street-legal. That was the challenge. We'll see what the future will bring."

So, now we know a few things:

-* AMG can integrate the M139 longitudinally

-* There will probably be an even more powerful version of the M139

-* The M139 engine could be adopted to support some hybrid system

-* it has an expected lifespan of more than 155,000 miles (like an M133 predecessor)

-* It churns out 369 pound-feet of torque with a lot of it available at low rpm

Then, let us see if this four-cylinder could ever match the numbers of the V-6 in the AMG C43. I've thrown in here some data about the Mercedes V-12 from 2000, too. Just for fun.

Don't get me wrong; I am not saying that the M139 mill could ever replace the V-12 in the S-Class. I am saying that with just a mild hybrid system (say, a 48-volt system from something like the GLE 53 Coupe), this little engine could become the backbone of the next-gen AMG C43. I have to believe that it is possible to integrate a small starter/generator on top of it and provide additional torque and power (that is 21 horsepower more in the GLE 53). This would not only improve the combined power output, but it would make the overpowered four-cylinder more durable as it would not work as much.

Now, I am not sure if AMG is working on something like this, but I would not be surprised at all. After all, Mercedes-AMG officials did announce the move toward hybridized and electrified units. A four-banger coupled with a powerful electric motor looks fantastic in my book. The only drawback, however, is that there would not be any sort of crisp sound coming from it.

Conclusion

Strict exhaust emissions and even more stringent rules about the exhaust sound loudness could make the M139 four-cylinder engine a backbone for AMG's future plans. This engine, already approved for one more evolution, and possibly ready for, electrification could reach far bigger cars than currently planned. As I've said, its integration in the C-Class is a distinct possibility, but I have my hopes that Mercedes-AMG could surprise us with a sports car with this engine under the hood.

Further reading

AMG Is Rewriting Rules Of Compact Cars With the Unbelievably Powerful 2020 AMG CLA 45 & A45

Read our full review on the 2020 Mercedes-AMG A45.

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

Read our full review on the 2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35.

Read our in-depth review of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA}