Home: Motoring > Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic revealed with 225kW - New Hot Hatchback

Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic revealed with 225kW - New Hot Hatchback for sale in China

From:Greg Kable 2018-09-19 06:39:41

The highly-anticipated Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic will feature a uniquely-tuned turbocharged 2.0-litre engine delivering 225kW as well as a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox, on-demand four-wheel drive and a stiffened body structure when Chinese deliveries get underway in 2019.

The new AMG model, planned to make its public debut at the Paris motor show in early October, is positioned between the latest A250 and upcoming second-generation A45 4Matic as a rival to the BMW M140i and Audi S3 as well as a raft of other hot hatchbacks, including the Volkswagen Golf R.

Conceived to offer greater performance potential than the front-wheel drive A250 but at a price that will see it enter the German car maker's performance line-up under next-year's new A45 4Matic in China, the launch of the A35 4Matic comes after strong global sales of four-cylinder AMG models, including the A45 4Matic, CLA45 4Matic, CLA45 Shooting Brake 4Matic and GLA45 4Matic.

"The demand for our compact models has developed in recent years. This success has encouraged us to further expand our portfolio and place it on a broader footing," says Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG.

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 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 225kW at 5800rpm and 400Nm of torque between 3000 and 4000rpm, the transversely-mounted engine delivers 60kW and 50Nm more than the less heavily tuned version of the M260 unit used by the A250 but 55kW and 75Nm 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 250kW and 500Nm while the four-wheel drive Audi S3’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder powerplant offers up 228kW and 380Nm.

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-100km/h in 4.7sec and reach a top speed limited to 250km/h. Combined cycle consumption is put at 7.3L/100km, equating to average CO2 emission 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 100km/h in 4.8sec and 5.3sec respectively, in raw acceleration, though AMG also says its new model also delivers on the driving front, too.

To cope with the added performance potential brought on the new drivetrain, Mercedes-AMG has stiffened the bodyshell of the A-class hatchback 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.

The stiffened body structure supports a MacPherson strut front suspension. It uses a newly-developed aluminium carrier and radially bolted steering knuckle that AMG claims reduces the unsprung masses and provides additional response to the system used by the earlier A45 4Matic. The rear suspension is based around the four-link system used by upper range A-class models, with three transverse arms and the trailing arm, the wheel carrier and bearings shared with those of the A45 4Matic.

Passive dampers are standard, though buyers can option the new entry-level AMG model with an adaptive damping system that provides three different levels of stiffness. The electro-mechanical steering uses variable assistance and a more rigid mounting than the system used by other new A-class models. The brakes, meanwhile, use four-piston callipers and 350mm vented and perforated steel discs up front and single piston callipers and 330mm steel discs at the rear.

The A35 4Matic builds on the sharpened appearance of the fourth-generation A-class with a unique grille, more heavily structured front bumper, standard 18-inch alloy wheels, wider sills, bold tailgate-mounted spoiler and a new rear bumper featuring a prominent diffuser element bookmarked each side by blackened round tailpipes.

Inside, the standard A-class interior has been reworked with unique upholstery for the seats an AMG steering wheel with touch-pad controls and AMG specific graphics for the digital instruments, including a so-called Supersport mode with a large central round rev counter.

Other new features include AMG Track Pace as part of the MBUX infotainment system. It permanently records data during track driving, enabling the driver to analyse a range of information including acceleration, braking and lap times.

Following its appearance on the new fourth-generation A-class hatchback, the new 35 badge is also planned to grace successor models to the CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, GLA as well as the newly-unveiled A-class saloon and upcoming GLB compact SUV, in a move that will provide a new six-model strong entry-level range for Mercedes-Benz’s performance sub-brand.

 

Editor:Greg Kable