New Mercedes-AMG A35 baby hot hatch: 2018 Paris Motor Show
It's the cheapest model in the AMG lineup, but it still packs a decent punch
While the electric revolution is underway and preparing its onslaught to take away our favourite loud toys, Mercedes-AMG are still making them while they can and also allowing more of us to have a slice of the Affalterbach recipe for insane fun. Meet the new AMG A35 hot hatch.
In the battle of supremacy in the hot hatch market, we currently have some ridiculous performance figures in relatively small cars. The Audi RS3 Sportback with 394bhp took the crown from the previous-gen AMG A45 which had 376bhp. Of course, such engineering and luxury also raise the price tags. But with the A35, it's become a little less expensive to join the AMG club with a slightly less power in this new baby hot hatch.
Unveiled in the metal at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, the new Mercedes-AMG A35 is the entry-level performance model in the range and is based on the latest generation of the A-Class. The new AMG A45 based on the new A-Class is still to come in 2019, probably with more than 400bhp. But the A35 is a cheaper, de-tuned version. Not that it is going to be slow by any measure. Its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 306bhp and 400Nm of torque. Equipped with Merc's 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system, the car is set up to be predominantly FWD but when needed, 50 per cent of those 306 horses can be sent to the rear wheels.
That power figure puts the AWD AMG A35 right between two icons of the hot hatch ethos - the FWD 316bhp Honda Civic Type R and the also FWD 296bhp Volkswagen Golf R. But the Merc has the advantages of plush interiors, more comfort, cool tech and a premium badge that won't force you to explain why you spent all that money on a hatchback.
All the important bits taken from the new A-Class, like the engine, suspension, transmission, electronic tuning etc have been given a proper look-over by AMG. It's still a serious car this. The interiors are now familiar with the two wide LCD screen displays that get sporty red lighting settings, sportier trim with contrast stitching and a flat-bottomed steering wheel too.
On the outside, the AMG A35 is not subtle about its peppy nature, especially not with that roof-spoiler, those twin exhaust tips with the sporty rear diffuser between them or all the gloss-black winglets on the front bumper and behind the wheel arches. In all honesty, I like that this AMG hatchback has a bit of a YOBO feel to it from factory.
What do you think of the new Mercedes-AMG A35 hot hatch? Do you like the design and the aero bits as well? Would you buy it at base price for the performance alone or pay Merc extra to spec it with the best goodies? Share your thoughts in the comments below the gallery. Leave a like if you enjoyed this post and don't forget to subscribe to The Auto Loons for the all the updates on our latest content.
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