The long-awaited Mercedes-AMG A45 will premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in two forms, according to the latest reports.

A number of journalists recently had the opportunity to ride shotgun in the new A45 prototype. Autocar says that, during the course of the event, Mercedes-AMG announced that in standard form, the new A45 will have 383 hp , while those looking for more grunt will be able to opt for the A45S 4Matic+ that will put out 416 horses. Serious figures for a 2.0-liter four-cylinder.

Thanks to Mercedes’ engineering genius, the Mercedes-AMG A45 S 4Matic+ has 12 hp more than the M3-powered BMW M2 Competition and 22 hp more than the Audi RS3, as well as 46 hp more than its predecessor.

The new A45’s 2.0-liter engine is a tuned version of the powertrain found in the A35. To increase power by more than 100 hp, Mercedes-AMG has installed a new twin-scroll turbocharger and made so many modifications that AMG considers it an all-new engine.

A new all-wheel drive system will also be found in the latest A45. Developed by AMG and Magna Powertrain, the system uses electro-hydraulic actuation and replaces the rear differential with two clutches. Consequently, the system can send 100 per cent of power to a single rear wheel if necessary. Moreover, this setup that has also allowed Mercedes-AMG to include a Drift mode in the car.

Visually, the Mercedes-AMG A45 will share many elements with the cheaper A35. Major points of difference between the pair include the A45’s Panamericana front grille, quad tailpipes, and different wheels.

Photo credits: CarPix for CarScoops