The 2018 Mercedes A-Class has been spied by Carscoops reader Lubo Macho in the Czech Republic.

Believed to be the A40 AMG, this particular prototype is heavily camouflaged but sports lightweight alloy wheels and large front brake discs.

Additional styling details are hard to make out but the model will likely have an evolutionary design. Despite this, the prototype appears to have long rear doors than the current model and the rear window has a steeper rake than its predecessor. The C-pillar also looks slimmer but it will be hard to know for certain until the camouflage comes off.

Mercedes hasn’t said much about the next-generation A-Class but the car will ride on the MFA2 platform. The updated architecture is expected to be larger and around 50 kg (101 lbs) lighter than its predecessor.

A variety of different engines will be available but the A40 AMG is expected to use a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing around 340 hp (253 kW). The model will compete with the Audi S3 which has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 305 hp (228 kW).

While 340 hp (253 kW) is nothing to sneeze at, Mercedes-AMG boss Tobias Moers recently confirmed the next A45 AMG will have an all-new 2.0-liter engine cranking out over 402hp (300 kW).

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