Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic Announced, 306 hp Entry-Level AMG Hot Hatch

After several spyshots over the last couple of months, Mercedes-AMG has officially announced its entry-level hot hatch, the A35 4Matic.

Power comes from a newly-developed M260 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine that does 306 hp and 400 Nm, sent to all four wheels via the AMG Speedshift 7G dual-clutch transmission and the company’s 4Matic all-wheel drive system. Mercedes-AMG says that its new baby hot hatch does the century sprint in just 4.7 seconds, a tad bit slower than the previous generation model’s 4.2 seconds. We reckon the upcoming A45 4Matic will better that figure.

Performance figures aside, Mercedes-AMG also added that the new entry-level hot hatch features a ‘shear panel’, essentially a bolted aluminium plate under the engine to increase the torsional strength of the front section. Additionally, two more diagonal braces at the front of the underbody further stiffen up the hot hatch.

Stopping the Mercedes-AMG A35 AMG are 350 mm rotors and 4-piston Monoblock fixed calipers up front and 330 mm rotors and single piston sliding calipers at the rear. The calipers are finished in silver and feature black AMG lettering.

Visually, the baby hot hatch gets a prominent dual louvres in the front grille, front splitter, and AMG Line front apron. As for the rear, a large rear wing, functional rear diffuser, and dual muffler tips help separate the A35 4Matic from its lesser siblings.

Moving inside, the A35 4Matic receives semi bucket seats wrapped in Artico leather with Dinamica microfiber in black with contrasting red stitching and matching red seat belts or Artico leather in black and digital grey.

Similar to the regular A-Class models, the A35 4Matic features Mercedes-Benz’s next generation MBUX infotainment system. Thanks to the Widescreen Cockpit, drivers can choose between three AMG display styles.

The Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic also features a number of drive modes via the AMG Dynamic Select, which include:

• Slippery: Optimized for slippery road conditions with reduced power output and a flat torque curve.
• Comfort: Early upshifts for a comfortable and fuel-efficient driving experience
• Sport and Sport+ : Increases sound of the turbocharged engine for a sportier drive. Sport+ enables double-declutching during downshifts and partial cylinder cut-off
• Individual: Allows individual parameters to be configured according to preference

Mercedes-AMG is set to debut its new baby hot hatch at the 2018 Paris Motor Show early next month, with sales scheduled to start within the same month. A hotter A45 4Matic is also scheduled to be launched in the future.