Mercedes-Benz South Africa has added the new Mercedes-AMG A35 to its online configurator, revealing local pricing for the all-wheel-drive hot hatch that serves as the new entry-point to AMG ownership.
So, how much as we looking here at? Well, the A35 4Matic hatchback will start from R754 946, before any extras have been added. That’s more than rivals such as the Audi S3 Sportback (R671 000), the outgoing rear-driven BMW M140i (R720 540) and the Volkswagen Golf R (R681 000).
Specifying the hot hatch in “Edition 1” trim will add R112 000 to the total. Other interesting options include the AMG aerodynamics package (R26 350), the AMG performance high-end seat package (R77 000), a panoramic sliding sunroof (R15 200), an all-digital instrument display (R6 500), a reversing camera (R5 500) and keyless go (R9 000).
Four flat exterior paint colours and six metallic options will be offered. The A35 will run on 18-inch alloys are standard, while various 19-inch wheel designs will be offered as options. The MBUX infotainment system will ship standard, although upgrading to the 10,25-inch screen will cost you an extra R10 000 (and adding the MBUX interior assistant a further R4 500).
As a reminder, the new A35 (which slots into the A-Class range below the recently revealed A45) is powered by a turbocharged 2,0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine churning out 225 kW (from 5 800 to 6 100 r/min) and 400 N.m (between 3 000 and 4 000 r/min). The result is a sprint from zero to 100 km/h in a claimed 4,7 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h.
The A35 employs Affalterbach’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with gear ratios configured for “very spontaneous acceleration in all speed ranges”. The gearbox includes a launch control function as well as shift paddles. The A35’s exhaust system, meanwhile, features an automatically controlled exhaust flap as standard, with different levels of sound offered depending on the chosen drive mode.
An adaptive damping system will be optionally available (for R22 400 in South Africa), giving the driver the choice of three suspension control modes, while the high-performance braking system includes four-piston fixed callipers and 350 mm discs on the front axle and one-piston sliding callipers and 330 mm discs at the rear.
At the time of writing, the A35 Sedan and CLA35 had yet to appear on the local configurator…
