Mercedes-amg CLA 35

Potent four-door coupé adds a sprinkling of style to AMG’S A35 hot hatchback recipe On sale Now Price from £40,295

THE CLA 35 is a pair of Baudoin & Lange loafers, compared with its hot hatch sister’s pair of Balenciaga trainers. Not quite as practical, just as expensive, but significantly more grown-up and more stylish. Well, that’s the idea, anyway; Mercedes-amg hopes that the CLA 35’s demure coupé appearance might win over buyers put off by the A35 hatchback’s brash looks.

Under the bonnet lies the same 302bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine you’ll find in the A35, with power sent through Mercedes’ well-proven 4Matic four-wheel drive system. It’s an effective combination that ensures the CLA 35’s claimed 0-62mph time of just 4.9sec never feels in doubt. Bury your right foot into the carpet and the CLA 35 simply digs in and goes, without a hint of wheelspin even in rough weather conditions.

That traction, combined with a neutral, predictable cornering balance and impressive body control, helps the CLA 35 to cover ground extremely rapidly.

BUYER’S FILE

But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s fun to drive; in fact, the lack of drama gives it a onedimensional feel that belies its AMG badge.

More positively, switch to the Comfort driving mode and the engine settles into a distant hum, the gearbox swaps ratios smoothly and ride comfort is perfectly acceptable for something this sporty, although there’s an awful lot of tyre roar.

Inside, the CLA 35 and A35 are very similar; racy touches include a flat-bottomed AMG steering wheel, and there’s plenty of room up front for six-footers. The coupé aesthetic takes its toll on rear head room, though.

If you’re sold on its svelte looks, less than £2000 separates the coupé and hatch. However, both are pricey to buy and neither is particularly exciting to drive. For keen drivers, there are cheaper compact four-door coupés that are more fun; step forward the BMW M235i Gran Coupé. And if you can live without a premium badge, the brilliant Honda Civic Type R is unbeatable.

Mercedes-amg CLA 35 4Matic Premium Plus Price Engine Power Torque Gearbox 0-62mph Top speed Fuel economy CO2, tax band