Mercedes-AMG’s appetite for hot hatches opened up with the previous-gen A-Class, which had the A45 model out to rival the likes of the Audi RS3 Sportback.
Now, the A-Class has been thoroughly redesigned and, in a favorable manner, so has the AMG model. The A45 is yet to be unveiled, but for the first time, the company’s offering a less expensive alternative, though it’s by no means cheap. It’s called the A35, guns for the VW Golf R and Audi S3 Sportback and starts at £35,580 ($46,680/€41,531) in the UK, without any options.
That’s a lot of money for a compact hot hatch, so it’s definitely not a car aimed at the average motoring enthusiast. For the price, however, it offers a lot of interesting features. From the sporty body kit, 19-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights, to the special interior accents and a the MBUX infotainment system and digital instrument cluster, it comes quite comprehensively equipped.
Also Watch: Is The New Mercedes-AMG A35 A Wannabe Or A True Hot Hatch?
Mercedes-AMG’s engineers have upgraded other parts as well, such as the suspension and brakes, and have installed a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine matched to a 7-speed automatic transmission. The 306 PS (302 hp / 225 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque produced rockets it to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.7 seconds, and up to a250 km/h (155 mph) top speed.
On the plus side, in the right gear and enough revs, the A35 goes like a bat out of hell. The steering is sharp, there’s plenty of grip and even an all-wheel drive system, which mostly keeps the power to the front wheels, but sends up to 50 percent to the rear axle when needed.
The downside is that there’s quite a lot of turbo lag. Also, the ride is bumpier than in the normal A-Class, and there’s more tire noise coming into the cockpit – but that’s the downside of a sports suspension.
So, should you still consider buying the new AMG A35 or should you wait for the full-blown A45 for the ultimate experience? Let’s see what Carwow has to say about it, in a video that also covers 5 annoying and 5 cool things about it.