Mercedes-AMG A35 revealed with 302bhp

At the heart of the A35 4Matic is a revised version of Mercedes-Benz’s M260 engine, as used by the A250. It is described by AMG as a new development, although the new four-cylinder unit shares its 83.0mm bore and 92.0mm stroke measurements and design of its die-cast aluminium crankcase with the M133 engine of the A45 4Matic.

Key engineering attributes of the AMG tweaked powerplant include uniquely-tuned twin-scroll turbochargers with reduced back pressure,  reprogrammed Camtronic variable valve control, special liners that contribute to conically shaped cylinders and a bespoke exhaust system with an automatically controlled flap that modulates the exhaust note depending on the driving mode.

With 302bhp at 5800rpm and 295lb ft of torque between 3000 and 4000rpm, the transversely-mounted engine delivers 81bhp and 77lb ft more than the less heavily tuned version of the M260 unit used by the A250 but 74bhp and 55lb ft less than the more highly strung M133 engine used by the A45 4Matic.

Of the more keener premium brand competition, the rear-wheel drive M140i’s turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder engine delivers 335bhp and 369lb ft while the four-wheel drive Audi S3’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder offers up 306bhp and 280lb ft. 

Drive is channelled to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox featuring AMG’s own Speedshift software that is claimed to provide more rapid shift times and more intuitive upshift and downshift characteristics than the standard software package, as used by the A250.

As well as offering both manual and automatic modes, the in-house produced gearbox also includes a Race Start function for improved off-the-line accelerative performance as well as steering wheel mounted paddles as standard.

Allied to the A35’s gearbox is a heavily revised version of the 4Matic four-wheel drive system used by the first-generation A45. It boasts variable distribution of drive, from front-wheel drive only to a 50:50 apportioning to the front and rear axles, via an electro-mechanically operated multi-plate clutch integrated into the rear axle assembly.

The driver is able to choose between five different driving modes via an AMG Dynamic Select controller, including Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual. The Slippery mode, a new development that is also planned to appear on the new A45 when it is launched in 2019, is programmed for wet road conditions, with reduced power and torque and earlier upshifts in automatic mode. 

Also new is a so-called “gliding” function. It allows the driver to choose between “reduced and “moderate” settings for differing engine braking characteristics while coasting on a trailing throttle within the Individual driving mode.

With the Sport+ mode and Race Start function engaged, the A35 4Matic is claimed to accelerate from 0-to-62mph in 4.7sec and reach a top speed limited to 155mph. Combined cycle consumption is put at 38.7mpg, equating to average CO2 emissions of 167g/km on the recently superseded NEDC (New European Driving Cycle). 

This gives the A35 4Matic a slight edge over the M140i and S3, which are claimed to accelerate to 62mph in 4.8sec and 5.3sec respectively, in outright straight-line performance. 

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 so-called “shear panel” underneath the engine. The aluminium structure is bolted to the existing steel body shell and, in combination with two additional diagonal braces, is claimed to provide added torsional stiffness to the front end.