When it comes to subcompact models, Mercedes has been on a product onslaught lately. The new A-Class spawned the AMG A35 sedan and A45 hot hatch. This year also saw the debut of the new breathtakingly beautiful CLA-Class and the first-ever Mercedes GLB SUV based on the same platform as the A-Class. A hot AMG 35 variant will also debut next month at Frankfurt.

This isn't the only new compact crossover Mercedes is planning to reveal this year, however, as the next-generation GLA is also rumored to arrive in Frankfurt. While we've already seen a prototype of the new GLA undergoing testing in spy shots, this is our first look at the hot AMG 45 variant.

Compared to the regular GLA, the range-topping AMG 45 version sports beefier wheels, bigger brakes and a sporty suspension setup. AMG's signature Panamericana grille, larger air intakes in the front bumper, wider side sills, and quad exhaust pipes also give the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 a more aggressive appearance than its standard sibling. Our spies were unable to get any photos of the interior but expect the cabin to carry over from the A45 and CLA 45.

Since the AMG A45 and CLA 45 have already broken cover this year, we know the new GLA 45 will be powered by a 2.0 liter four-cylinder turbo engine producing 382 horsepower in the 45 variant and 416 horsepower in the 45 S range topper. Power will be fed through a dual-clutch automatic transmission and 4matic all-wheel-drive will be offered as standard. In the A45 S hatchback, 0-62 mph takes just 3.9 seconds, so its crossover counterpart should do the same sprint in around four seconds. Let's hope the A45's awesome drift mode carries over to the GLA 45 crossover, too.

Mercedes hasn't confirmed when new GLA 45 will break cover, but considering that the standard GLA and the AMG GLA 35 haven't been revealed yet, we're not expecting it to debut until sometime in 2020.