The Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class. Image: Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz’s recent Concept A-Class has drawn a lot of attention from fans and critics alike. The design is a lot edgier than what people expect from a conservative German auto manufacturer, but that’s necessary to draw in a new generation of buyers. Also necessary is a tuned version of the car, to compete against the likes of the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works and the upcoming Audi S1. For Mercedes, that involves giving the green light to AMG and saying, “bitte, mehr Pferdestärke.” Be careful what you wish for, since rumor has it that the AMG-tuned baby Benz may have as much as 350 horsepower, which would make the diminutive, front-wheel-drive car a handful to pilot in all but dry weather.
Image: Mercedes-Benz USA
Image: Mercedes-Benz USA
AMG’s thought of that, too, which is why the car is rumored to be equipped with an AWD system from an upcoming Mercedes compact SUV. If that’s the case, the AMG A Class could be the most entertaining car to wear the three-pointed-star in a long time (or at least the most entertaining, semi-affordable car to do so). There’s still mixed signals on whether or not we’ll get the A-Class in the U.S., since subcompact German cars historically haven’t sold well here. If we do, that will up the odds of us getting the AMG version as well. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
Source: Autoblog
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Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
