We drove Mercedes 301 BHP A35 AMG on different tarmacs and this is an extensive review after driving for more than 500 kms.
Mercedes A35 AMG – What is it?
For the unversed, Mercedes A35 AMG is locally assembled at the carmaker’s Chakan plant in Pune. It sits between the standard A Class and A45 AMG.
Mercedes A35 AMG – Exterior
With the A35 AMG in this flashy yellow exterior scheme, whether we were going through tight city roads, doing highway drives or driving on other tarmac, there was not even a single individual who didn’t turn their head to get a glance of a car.
Mercedes A35 AMG has youthful and athletic appearance. Upfront, the performance sedan has AMG grille featuring thick slat running with three pointed star logo in the centre.
Multi beam headlamps, sharp character lines running across the bonnet and sides, front and rear splitter, rear diffuser with big twin exhaust tailpipe everything seems to work up the sporty stance. 18-inch tyres fill the wheel arches pretty nicely.
Size wise, A35 AMG is bigger than the standard A Class barring the height which is 35 mm lower than the latter.
| Mercedes Benz A35 AMG | Mercedes Benz A Class Limousine | |
| Length | 4559 mm | 4549 mm |
| Width | 1992 mm | 1796 mm |
| Height | 1411 mm | 1446 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2729 mm | 2729 mm |
| Ground clearance | 160 mm | – |
| Boot space | 405 L | 405 L (Petrol), 395 L (Diesel) |
| Fuel tank capacity | 51 L | 66 L |
Mercedes A35 AMG – Interior
Enter the cabin, you will be greeted by all black interiors. The connected slab is similar to other Mercedes Benz models. Number of AMG specific features like AMG steering, AMG sports seats, AMG graphics in instrument cluster, red inserts on steering, seats, seat belts along with aluminium sports pedals vouches that you are sitting in a performance car.
Ambient light is woven on every possible end. Panoramic sunroof not only ensures loads of light entering the cabin but even makes the cabin feel spacious. Climate control unit, turbine shaped AC vents, AMG centre console with piano black inserts, and every toggle oozes out luxury.
There is no dearth of storage spaces or illumination ports/cabin lamps on the inside, both in front and second row.
The 10.25-inch MBUX touchscreen infotainment system supports android auto, Apple CarPlay, in-built 3D navigation, voice commands, and connected car technology. Other configurations are seat kinetics, ambient light, Dynamic select. This unit even delivers information, gas/brake percentage, engine & consumption data.
The A35 AMG is equipped with Burmester 590 W 12 speakers and the system throws out quite incredible sound quality.
Similar to the infotainment system system, the instrument cluster is 10.25-inch. This screen in front of the driver holds a lot of data like current dynamic select mode, turn-by-turn navigation, radio, g force meter, service information, trip information and more.
There are four styles for the instrument cluster – Classic, Sport, Supersport and Understated. The theme of both the displays changes as you select different styles.
Mercedes A35 AMG – Space & Comfort
We will begin with front seats. Seats in front rows are comfy thanks to those side bolsters which hold passengers really well. Tall passengers have the convenience of cushion extension.
Rear passengers are seated a bit low but seats offer better all round support compared to earlier CLA. Even for longer journeys, regular sized occupants would find themselves comfortable.
Mercedes A35 AMG – Top Features
The A35 AMG has got all the intrinsic features. Here is a list of top equipments on offer
- Active Park Assist
- Wireless phone charging
- Dual zone climate control
- Panoramic sunroof
- 64 colour ambient lighting
- 8 way powered front seats w/ 4 way electric lumbar support adjustment & 3 memory function
- 10.25” digital instrument cluster
- 10.25” touchscreen infotainment system with android auto, apple CarPlay, voice command, navigation
- Mercedes Me Connect
Top Safety features
- 7 airbags
- Active bonnet
- Active brake assist
- TPMS
- ABS with EBD
- ESP
- Hill start assist
- Traction control
- Front & rear parking sensors
- Rear camera
- All 4 disc brakes
- Auto headlamps
- Auto wipers
- Electric parking brake
Mercedes A35 AMG – Drive Review
| PETROL | Mercedes Benz A35 AMG | Mercedes Benz A Class Limousine |
| Engine | 2.0 L M260 4 cylinder Turbo Petrol | 1.3 L M282 4 cylinder Turbo Petrol |
| Capacity | 1991 cc | 1332 cc |
| Drivetrain | AWD | FWD |
| Power | 301 BHP | 161 BHP |
| Torque | 400 NM | 250 NM |
| Transmission | 7 Speed DCT | 7 Speed DCT |
| Fuel efficiency | 13.39 kmpl | 17.5 kmpl |
| 0-100 kmph | 4.8 sec | 8.3 sec |
| Top speed | 250 kmph | 230 kmph |
| DIESEL | Mercedes Benz A35 AMG | Mercedes Benz A Class Limousine |
| Engine | – | 2.0 L 4 cylinder Diesel |
| Capacity | – | 1950 cc |
| Drivetrain | – | FWD |
| Power | – | 147 BHP |
| Torque | – | 320 NM |
| Transmission | – | 8 Speed DCT |
| Fuel efficiency | – | 21.35 kmpl |
| 0-100 kmph | – | 8.2 sec |
| Top speed | – | 227 kmph |
*Although there is no comparison between these, these two tables are for reference.
Mercedes Benz A35 AMG is powered by 2.0 L M260 4 cylinder Turbo petrol engine which belts out 301 BHP and 400 NM of maximum torque. It gets paired to 7 Speed DCT gearbox which sends power to all four wheels. Claimed efficiency is 13.39 kmpl.
Directly beginning with the performance, there are different modes – Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus, Slippery and Individual. With the last setting, we can individually configure number of aspects. Throttle response is very sharp in every drive mode (sharpest in Sports+ mode) and it pushes you back in your seat with the press of the accelerator pedal. As you cross 2,400 rpm, it turns into a proper beast and delivers exhilarating performance. There is a lot of grunt in the mid range and you would love to push it more and more. It derives upto 50% power from rear wheels. Claimed 0-100 kmph is 4.8 sec. While conducting multiple tests, we reached the ton in an average 5.3 seconds.
Refinement levels at standstill, on the inside, are pretty good. There is no sort of wind or road noise as such. Talking about exhaust note, it gets bassy in Sport & Sport Plus mode and the roar of engine increases. A35 AMG exhaust isn’t very loud and when you drive at three digit highway speeds, exhaust sound isn’t felt every time.
Gear shifts are quite quick and complements the engine very well. However at times of sudden throttle inputs you will feel a slight bit delay in cog shifts. Steering wheel is very direct, precise and has enough heft at triple digit speeds as well as while cornering. The rack carries even more weight in Sport & Sport plus mode.
Certified fuel economy of A35 AMG is 13.39 kmpl. We got between 10 to 11.8 kmpl on highways and open roads. In city drive, the mileage ranged between 6.5 kmpl and 8.5 kmpl.
Mercedes A35 AMG – Ride & Handling
The suspension of the A35 AMG is set up on a firmer side. It manages all the undulations with ease, however with ground clearance of 160 mm, you have to be very careful while passing through the big speed breakers. Brakes are sharp and offer great feedback.
Ride and handling is spot on. It remains glued to the road. There is so much confidence when you lob in the corners and plan to do a quick lane change.
Mercedes Benz A35 AMG: Should you buy it?
Mercedes Benz A35 AMG costs Rs 66 lakhs (On Road, Delhi). Surely it makes a lot of sense to consider this entry level luxury AMG sedan given it ticks all the right boxes whether it is ride and handling, outright performance, equipment kit or even exterior design.
