Before you panic, don’t worry: the next AMG A45 is still happening. It’s just Mercedes is no longer content with having a pop at only the RS3: it wants something to give the S3 a headache too. Plus the VW Golf R.
So there’ll soon be two hot, AMG A-Classes. The yet-to-be-revealed A45 with a circa-400bhp output, and this, the new A35, which is effectively the new entry-point for the AMG range as a whole.
It uses a development of the new 2.0-litre inline-four turbo engine found in the A250, here making 302bhp at 6100rpm, and 295lb ft of torque at 3000rpm. 0-62mph takes just 4.7 seconds, which sounds pretty damn good for what’s supposed to be the junior hot hatch in the range. Top speed meanwhile is the entirely expected 155mph electronically-limited affair.
Power is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (you weren’t expecting a manual option, were you?), with an electro-mechanical multi-plate clutch controlling the split between the axles. When you’re just pootling along torque will be sent to the front wheels exclusively, with the system able to send ever-more thrust rearwards as driving conditions demand, up to a 50:50 split.
This thing is awesome!
