Hard, Fast, Fun AMG A 35 a Thrill a Minute
Sexy Entry Mercedes-AMG Has it All. And Then Some
Not quite the color you may think of it in, but black certainly makes this Mercedes-AMG A 35 4Matic Hatchback pop. Never mind, these sexy new rims and a rather aggro poise make it hard to beat. It’s also quick, fun to drive, albeit a tad too hard on the road, and generously equipped with all the latest in Mercedes tech.
The hatch is cheapest leg on AMG’s entry A-pot alongside its near identical sedan, and SUV GLB siblings in markets they are available in outside the US. They expand the AMG portfolio to a broader audience who may find the wilder, more expensive AMG 45 a bit too wild. Developed alongside the A 45 S, he A 35s recently benefited a little soft mid-live cosmetic surgery.
Squint a little and you may notice revised headlamps, an AMG-specific grilles, and a new apron. There’s new, wreathed AMG badge instead of the Mercedes star on the bonnet with new power bulges. Add spoiler tweaks, revised taillights, and exhaust tips. Not much changes under the skin, but the biggest changes center around cosmetics and latest generation MBUX with a AMG screen design.
Less Power Than A 45 Not a Bother
Getting back to the heart of the matter, AMG 35’s 302 HP 295 lb.-ft 2-litre turbo four-pot now has a gentle 15 HP hybrid boost. It’s far less powerful than the 415 HP 331 lb.-ft 45 S, but don’t let that worry you. A 35’s output is fed through and AMG Speedshift DCT 7G dual-clutch transmission to AMG Performance 4Matic variable performance all-wheel drive. Add AMG Dynamic Select with five individual driving programs for a broad range of engine and transmission responses. It also brings a gruffer exhaust tone.
Boasting a low single wishbone, tie rod and spring damper unit front end set-up, our test unit also had Adaptive Damping. Three comfort, brisk and sporty suspension modes automatically react to the car’s behavior to adapt each wheel to reigning driving conditions and enhance both ride comfort and agility. Fixed 4-piston monoblock calipers grip giant ventilated and perforated discs up front and single-pot sliding calipers on equally grand rotors at the rear stop it.
It handles, quite literally a peach, holds the road like a leach and turns in and follows through as smartly as you’d dare in a hot all-wheel drive hatchback. But it’s hard. Too hard considering it’s a step town from the A45. And far too hard for the character of the thing too. Sure, keep it taut and allow it to harden up in the settings, but this one is far harder than the older A 35s we remember.
A 35 Cabin Just as Splendid as the Car
The cabin is just as splendid as the car. This one’s red counter tone offsets the black on black on black beautifully to deliver a wonderful blend of promise and pose. Slip into the driver’s seat and you’re faced by a latest generation Mercedes multifunction steering wheel in a space dominated by Merc’s Widescreen Cockpit dual 3D display. Always a smart interface between driver and car, it’s now even better. Even if its total lake of knobs and buttons make it difficult to live with.
We love the look of those two little black steering touch pads. The right one controls the fully digital instrument cluster with three AMG styles now including a striking Supersport mode with a central tachometer and additional info in 3D effect bars to each side. Its backed by a neat and legible heads-up display.
The left pad runs A 35’s Car Play Auto Bluetooth MBUX multimedia with those fancy USC sockets. Daft considering most accessories still come with good old big-plug USB cables. Why not one of each? There’s also wireless charging, but My Mercedes is still the party trick. Even if it doesn’t always understand my accent! But we truly abhor those silly touch pads on the wheel and dash. Bring back buttons, Mercedes!
A 35 a Compromise. But a Damn Decent One!
So, what’s it like to drive? AMG claims 4.8 seconds 0-60 mph, even if this car once again never managed that in our tests. It’s however almost identical to the previous A 35 sedan we tested. Not that its slow, but A 35 has great throttle response on the move and top end acceleration is mighty. Handling is confidence inspiring and road holding solid. The front end, if a tad distant, is sprightly and quick to respond. But not 45 vicious.
The brakes are impressive too, although there’s a touch of bump-steer as the nose pushes down under heavy retardation. A compromise in suspension geometry tuned to reduce torque steer, perhaps?
All in all, the Mercedes-AMG A 35 is a compromise. But a very good one at that. Not many owners will put up with the A 45’s uncompromising nature every day. Which is why this car’s hard ride has us scratching our heads. But this slightly slower, more composed 35 version is also significantly cheaper. And it’s pukka AMG for a lot less than the ‘big ones’ will cost you.
ROAD TESTED: Mercedes-AMG A 35 4Matic Hatchback Engine: 302 HP 295 lb.-ft 2-litre turbo petrol I4 Drive: 8-speed automatic AWD TESTED: 0-40 mph: 2.73 sec 0-50 mph: 5.29 sec 0-80 mph 7.10 sec 0-100 mph: 11.73 sec ¼-mile: 13.5 sec @ 107 mph 50-75 mph: 3.18 sec 75-100 mph: 4.63 sec CLAIMED: Fuel: 26 mpg LIST PRICE: $54,950* MSRP
*Not available in US, CLA 35 price in US
Images: Giordano Lupini