2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 packs one hell of a four-cylinder engine

Mercedes on Thursday unveiled the 2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA45.     

The CLA35's four-cylinder engine is thrown out the window and replaced with the bonkers M139, otherwise known as the most powerful production four-cylinder out there. 

In this instance, it produces 382 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque -- not the maximum the M139 is capable of, mind you, but there will likely be a CLA45 S in the future with even more juice.    

It comes mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that should get the CLA45 to 60 miles per hour in about 4.0. seconds.     

It should sound the absolute business, thanks to a standard active exhaust that uncorks itself in Sport+ mode.    

All-wheel drive is standard, but this isn't the same AWD system that's in the CLA35.     

Instead, it's the AMG Performance 4Matic+ version, and that little plus sign is important.     

It's capable of sending all its torque to the front or rear axle, effectively turning it into a front-or-rear-wheel-drive vehicle as the situation demands.     

The 2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 is slated to go on sale later this year, and pricing should be announced closer to that time.

Keep scrolling or clicking to check out even more pictures of the 2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA45.