The hot hatch power war shows no signs of slowing. You can now buy a BMW 1 Series with 335bhp, a Ford Focus with 345bhp, or an Audi A3 with as much as 395bhp. So the new AMG-badged A-Class must be nudging 400bhp, right? Yet the A 35 will still sprint from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds and hit an electronically limited 155mph. That pegs it pretty close to the latest Porsche 718 Cayman S, and not far off Ferraris from a decade ago. Mercedes is keen to reiterate this isn鈥檛 a replacement for the old A 45. Instead, as the market grows and the average A-Class buyer gets ever younger, the brand鈥檚 customers are asking for even more choice. Bosses see this car as a stepping stone to bigger, brasher and more powerful AMG products. The A 35 has a new 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which transfers power to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. There are five drive modes to choose from, and owners can also select an Individual setting, which allows separate adjustment of elements like the dampers, throttle and gearbox responses. Flicking the A 35 into its most aggressive mode transforms the car鈥檚 behaviour.
Far from being the A 45鈥檚 poor relation, the hot hatchback feels composed, grippy and lightning fast. It flatters in a way the old A 45 could not, mimicking the Golf鈥檚 incredible all-weather ability with a welcome degree of added involvement. The steering isn鈥檛 brimming with feel, but is well weighted. The way this car turns into a corner is astounding; you鈥檒l have to be going at it with real commitment to discover any understeer. The A 35 encourages you to drive harder, but never feels as though it will bite if you overcook things on the way out of a bend. Also fitted is a new AMG Dynamics programme, which uses the brakes on the inside wheel at the rear axle to boost agility. But the car is so capable, you never notice it working. It sticks to the tarmac with limpet-like grip, covering ground at an alarming rate.
The suspension comprises a MacPherson strut and aluminium wishbone on the front axle, and a multi-link set-up at the rear. Customers can opt for adaptive dampers, which serve up three suspension modes. It鈥檚 not easy to judge the ride on pan-smooth Mallorcan tarmac, but it does feel like a car that鈥檚 more adept the faster you go. While sharp edges and potholes can make the A 35 feel unsettled around town, it flows beautifully at speed. Despite being ever-so-slightly quicker than the most potent VW, the A 35 will return similar fuel economy. WLTP test figures of 38.7mpg suggest this is a fast family car that allows you to have your cake and eat it. Prices start at 拢35,580 (a Golf R DSG costs 拢34,340), with the first cars due in the UK early in 2019. As standard, all models have two seven-inch digital displays. You also get a reversing camera, sports exhaust, climate control and keyless go. The AMG Premium Plus pack adds a Burmester stereo, electric seats, adaptive LED lights and a panoramic roof. Specifying this when you order also adds a 10.25-inch central display, which lifts the cabin to a level that allows the A 35 to compete with cars costing twice the price. The A 35 looks and feels like a premium car and makes an Audi RS 3 seem dated, while the AMG interior ensures you don鈥檛 forget what you鈥檙e driving. Even so, a prod of the throttle dispels any question that this is anything but the fastest A-Class currently on sale.
Also, our app based key experience has been consistent until now. We have had maybe 2 instances of having to takeout our key card, but overall its been fine. Slacker - I think enough has been said about it so I won't add more but I hate it! I am at a point where I have stopped using Slacker completely due to its small selection of songs! I love the Tune-In integration though. Some of the interior materials were abruptly changed in 2018 - like the Alacantra headliners! The textile headliners in the current car look cheap and the color is not great - ripe to get dirty. Why not put a black headliner in a black interior car? It has happened once, but was scary - our car was in autopilot on the freeway and suddenly the screen went blank and then restarted. It was scary. I am sure it was some software glitch but it scared the hell out of us! Bluetooth connection to phone has been a hit and miss. Lot of times the car loses connection to phone and I have to re-establish it. Also, the bluetooth profile is a bit limited with text messages etc. not readable on car screen. Why not put a wireless charging mat instead of the wired solution that currently comes with the car? Navigation lacks adding stops. Its minor inconvinience but requires manual planning when doing long road trips. Lack of HUD is our single biggest complaint until now! We have got used to the screen for speedometer, but having to look at through corner of our eyes is not the most pleasant of experiences. The autopilot sensors to have hands on wheels! Again - a HUD here is a must and should solve this.
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