What we used to now as the A25 AMG is actually called Mercedes A45, and it’s set to be the baddest hot hatch when it goes on sale next year. Mercedes is going to put the most powerful four-cylinder engine they’re ever built in this, so the A45  can eat Audi RS3 and BMW M135i for breakfast. AMG openly admits this car’s sole goal is to wipe that smug smile off RS3’s face.

The four-pot engine in this car is the same 2.0 liter turbocharged you’ve probably come across in one of the many regular Mercedes models that use it. But it’s been tuned, heavily, by AMG and their British partners to give no less than 330bhp and more than 300 lb-ft of torque. So AMG’s engine is half a liter smaller than Audi’s, but makes roughly the same amount of power.

Another feature the A45 is equipped with against the RS3 is an all-wheel-drive system that works in tandem with a sophisticated seven-speed dual clutch gearbox. All these will enable Merc’s new hot hatchbck to go from 0 to 62 mph in slightly over 5 seconds. Official figures are yet to be confirmed.

Once AMG is done making a beast out of that engine, Mercedes steps in and gives it features like automatic stop/start and brake energy recuperation to make sure the car remains highly usable for day to day driving. While they’re doing this, AMG gets busy with the suspension, using MacPherson strut (front) and multi-link (rear) and all sort of fancy stuff to give the car class leading dynamic, and inevitably, the best-in-class Nurburgring time.

In terms of styling, the A45 gets the typical AMG body kit on the outside with oversized wheels, and an sporty interior with bucket seats and fancy trims.

Read more: Autocar