Mercedes-amg A35
Hot hatch gets 302bhp, 4WD
The highly anticipated Mercedes-amg A35 4Matic will feature a uniquely tuned turbocharged 2.0-litre engine delivering 302bhp, on-demand four-wheel drive and a specially stiffened body.
The new AMG model, which is based on the latest A-class, is due to make its public debut at the Paris motor show in early October and will go on sale in the UK later this year. The model is positioned between the A250 and upcoming A45 4Matic as a rival to the BMW M140i, Audi S3 and VW Golf R.
The A35 will be priced below the A45, at around £35,000, and its launch comes after strong sales of the A45 and other four-cylinder Mercedesamg models.
At the heart of the A35 is a revised version of Mercedes’ M260 engine, as used by the A250. It is described by AMG as a new development, with 302bhp at 5800rpm and 295lb ft between 3000rpm and 4000rpm.
Drive is channelled to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox that features AMG’S own Speedshift software. It is claimed to provide more rapid shifts and more intuitive upshift and downshift characteristics than the standard software used by the A250. Allied to the A35’s gearbox is a heavily revised version of the 4Matic fourwheel-drive system employed on the first-generation A45.
With the Sport+ driving mode and Race Start function engaged, the A35 is claimed to accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.7sec and has a top speed restricted to 155mph.
To cope with the added performance potential brought on the A35 4Matic’s new drivetrain, Mercedes-amg has stiffened the bodyshell of the A-class hatchback upon which it is based with the addition of a ‘shear panel’ underneath the engine. An Amg-tuned Macpherson strut front and four-link rear suspension setup is standard, with adaptive dampers optional.
The ‘35’ badge is set to be used on the next-generation CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and GLA models, as well as the newto-the-range A-class saloon and upcoming GLB small SUV.