Mercedes has revealed that its CLA 45 AMG saloon and Shooting Brake and the GLA 45 AMG crossover will receive a power hike for 2016. With the same engine updates as the facelifted A-Class, the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine in these cars will get 376bhp, up by 21bhp over the current models.
The engine upgrade, which also sees torque for both increase by 25Nm of 475Nm, was applied to the upgraded A45 AMG as an answer to Audi's recently launched 362bhp RS3 Sportback. Technical tweaks will also include a more responsive and quicker-shifting seven-speed DCT autobox in all three models, which also brings shorter ratios.
In the A45 AMG, the changes add up to a 0.4 second improvement of the 0-62mph time, down to 4.2 seconds. The same tweaks in the CLA 45 and GLA 45 will see their times reduced to 4.2 and 4.4 seconds respectively, with all still topping out at a limited 155mph. Merc claims fuel economy and emissions have been kept at the same level as before for both models.
Alongside the drivertrain revisions, the cars will also get updates already seen on the recent A-Class facelift. The subtly altered exterior look, new interior tech and posher upholstery will be applied to the rest of the GLA and CLA range, too.
UK prices for either AMG models have yet to be revealed, but we can expect them to debut at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show and go on sale towards the end of the year.
Now read more about the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake.