Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic debuts – 306 hp, 400 Nm!

Mercedes-AMG has finally revealed its much anticipated hot hatch, the brand new Mercedes-AMG A 35 4Matic, ahead of its global debut at the Paris Motor Show next month. It’s positioned as the entry-level model to the AMG family, and slots between the A 250 and upcoming A 45 4Matic in the model line-up.

Design-wise, it gets the familiar twin-louvre radiator grille that’s finished in silver chrome, AMG Line front apron with flics on the air intakes, as well as a front splitter. Round the side, it sits on 18-inch twin-spoke light alloy wheels shod as standard, but the model here comes with the optional 19-inch AMG wheels. A pair of side sills complete the profile view of this dashing hatch.

The rear view is dominated by the aggressive rear apron with a new diffuser insert finished in gloss black, complete with dual round exhaust exits. This is similar to what the AMG 43 and AMG 53 get, whereas the top AMG 63 (and the current A 45) feature rectangular exhaust exits. The raised spoiler and A 35 badging complete the look.

Inside, the cabin is very much the same as that of the standard W177 A-Class, but gets flat-bottomed steering wheel, AMG-specific centre console in piano lacquer finish and sports bucket seats wrapped in black Artico man-made leather. A sportier upholstery with Dinamica microfibre and red contrast stitching can be had, and this includes the red seat belts, red piping and red highlights on the ventilation nozzles as well.

Also featured here is the dual 10.25-inch widescreen displays (Widescreen Cockpit) with the new Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) interface, which replaces the older COMAND system. The A 35 gains three AMG displays that are integrated into the instrument cluster, with the Supersport mode displaying a central, round rev counter and additional information presented in the form of bars to the left and right. Via the AMG menu, the driver can call up various special displays such as Warm-up, Set-up, G-Force and Engine Data.

AMG Track Pace, which is part of the MBUX ecosystem, is also available as an option. It records more than 80 vehicle-specific data when driving on track, and this includes lap and sector times as well. It even displays your lap times in red or green!

AMG Track Pace works via GPS and already has the Nürburgring or Spa Francorchamps circuits pre-saved. The displayed map can be switched from 2D to 3D and updated online. It even has a virtual instructor (via the MBUX Augmented Reality function) to help you improve lap times!

The biggest news here of course, is the performance. Under the bonnet lurks a new M260 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger, producing 306 hp at 5,800- to 6,100 rpm and 400 Nm of torque at 3,000- to 4,000 rpm. In M264 form, the mild hybrid engine (EQ Boost, not available with the A 35) produces 299 hp and 400 Nm of torque in the E 350 Coupe and Cabriolet.

Power goes out to all four wheels (AMG Performance 4Matic fully variable all-wheel drive) through a seven-speed AMG Speedshift dual-clutch transmission, and it sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. In comparison, the outgoing W176 A 45 gets there in 4.2 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h, and the combined fuel consumption is rated at 7.3 litres per 100 km (NEDC cycle).

As for the transmission, the gear ratios have been configured for “very spontaneous acceleration” in all speed ranges, and it provides fast shifting without much power loss when shifting up. Standard for the A 35 is the Race-Start function, granting maximum acceleration from standstill. For enthusiasts, the steering-mounted paddle shifters is all you get – no manual gearbox here, folks.

There’s five AMG Dynamic Select drive modes to choose from, which are Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual and Slippery. The last is simply a program that’s optimised for slippery surfaces, with reduced power and a flat torque curve. Sport+ mode features double-declutching during downshifts, as well as clever exhaust overruns that’s achieved via precise retardation of ignition and injection.

Other features include a four-piston Monoblock fixed callipers and 350 millimetre brake discs up front, whereas the rear axle gets a single-piston sliding callipers and 330 millimetre discs. Those dimensions are the same as the outgoing A 45, by the way.

All discs are internally ventilated and perforated to provide better heat dissipation and prevent brake fading, even with extreme use. As usual, the silver-painted brake callipers have black AMG lettering. The Adaptive Damping System however, is a cost option.

So there you have it, the most affordable AMG model money can buy. What do you think of it? Are you digging the Sun Yellow colour scheme as much as we do? Let us know in the comments, below.