Due for Thai launch next year, Mercedes’ warmed-up hatchback will steal a march over the Audi and BMW equivalents.
Ah, they’ve finally filled the gap…
In the previous-generation of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, there was quite a distance between the A250 and AMG-fettled A45 in marketing terms.
In other words, Mercedes never offered an intermediate version to take the fight straight to the Audi S3 and BMW M140i.
That has changed for the new-generation A-Class. Revealed here in official pictures before a public debut at the Paris motor show next month, the new A35 fills that gap.
In the typical fashion of AMG cars, the A35 gets racy bumpers, wheels, roof-mounted rear spoiler, bucket seats and trim. The hatchback body has been chosen initially for the A35 treatment.
How much power does it get?
The A35 uses the M260-tagged 2.0-litre petrol engine using a twin-scroll turbocharger. It makes 306hp and 400Nm, the latter achieved at a relatively high plateau of 3,000-4,000rpm.
Drive system components consist of seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and 4Matic all-wheel-drive with 50:50 split. As a result, the A35 goes to 100kph from standstill in 4.7sec.
The A35’s performance slots in nicely between the 211hp A250 and 381hp A45, the latter using a different M133-labeled motor of the same size.
Mind, that A45 is still based on the previous-gen A-Class meaning that the replacement, built on the new one the A35 is based upon, should get some 400hp to better the current 4.2sec time.
Is it faster than its rivals?
Based on figures provided by their manufacturers, the A35 isn’t the quickest around. The 310hp S3 requires a slower 5.3sec to cover that acceleration test, while the 340hp M140i does a quicker 4.4sec.
However, people at Mercedes are keen to point out that the A35 will be sufficiently fun to drive especially with is launch control function. As well, the A35 should be a perfect choice for punters finding the A45 too wild.
Although the Thai Mercedes agent hasn’t shown any interest in selling the regularly powered A-Class, they might do so this time with the A35.
A possible launch date is in the first half of next year with prices in the three million baht range (punters of the smaller, less powerful but equally pricey Mini John Cooper Works should take note). Today’s A45 asks for 4.39 million baht.
Both Audi and BMW have never sold their equivalents in Thailand yet.
