Mercedes A-Class news

Like the idea of a Mercedes hot hatch? Then you may be interested to know the German giant is planning on building a rather bubbly version of its new A-Class. And in charge of the bubbles is none other than AMG.

Unveiled at a preview event on the eve of the Shanghai motor show, the Concept A is being heralded as a step forward for the brand in one of its key markets: China. As we reported last week, it's rather a fine-looking thing when compared to the current high-slung, utilitarian model, with some clever engineering under the hood.  

And of very important news to Top Gear is the confirmation that the moustachioed white-coated engineers of oversteer at AMG are now working on a 350bhp version of the baby Merc.  

No more details as yet, but it could feature four-wheel drive, as the new A-Class will sit on the same platform as an upcoming small 4x4 offering. And let's be honest, it'd probably need all four wheels turning up for work when your day job is ferrying a lot of power around...

Mercedes senior designer Mark Fetherston also confirmed that the new A-Class, when it arrives on UK shores in the early part of 2013, will definitely carry about 85 per cent of the Concept A's styling. So this concept is basically an exaggerated version of what you'll be able to buy. 

More details on the Concept A here, and here are the show pics from last night. Excited by the prospect of a very hot baby Mercedes?