Hot new Merc A-Class spotted in Germany

We've been hearing about a wilder version of the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class for some time now but hadn't seen any concrete evidence of it... Until now.

Our trusty spy caught the hot AMG variant of the entry-level Merc pounding the Nürburgring in anger.

In standard guise, the A-Class will have a turbocharged, direct injection 2.0-litre four-pot mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch making around 210bhp. However, the A AMG will boast larger brakes, a bigger front air intake and fatter dual exhausts.

Also rumoured is an all-wheel drive version with rear-biased torque distribution, which should produce roughly 320bhp from the same, albeit massaged, engine.

The new Mercedes über hatch will go head-to-head with the BMW 1 Series M Coupé and Audi RS3 when it arrives in showrooms in 2013.