Mercedes-AMG has presented the third AMG 35 member of its compact model family. After the A 35 and A 35 Limousine, here is the slickest version of them all: the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4Matic.
The Mercedes-AMG range nowadays increasingly consists of two layers. For cars such as the A-Class and its derivatives such as the A-Class Limousine and the CLA, the Mercedes-AMG 45 variants that are still to be presented are the really hardcore versions of the family, while the Mercedes-AMG 35 models represent a step below on the sports factor scale. If you wish, you can compare the Mercedes-AMG 35 cars with the M Performance models from BMW. Sporty, but not as extreme as a real M car.
If we got that straighten out, it is time to turn our attention to the new CLA, which has just received its first AMG version, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4Matic. Just like the A-Class Hatchback and Limousine, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4Matic comes with a 306 hp and 400 Nm strong 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine. With that turbo heart the CLA can sprint in 4.9 seconds from naught to 100 km / h. That makes it, despite being sportier in terms of image than the A-Class Limousine, 0.1 seconds ‘slower’ than that more conventional sedan. The top speed limiter kicks in at 250 km / h. Anyone who does not try to get such values on the standard (7-inch, optional 10.25-inch) digital set of instruments must be able to score an average consumption of 7.2-7.3 l / 100 km.
The gearbox on board is of course the well-known seven-speed AMG Speedshit automatic transmission with a double clutch. The Germans promise that, thanks to various reinforcements, the new Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4Matic is stiffer than the regular CLA. The adjustments include the mounting of an aluminum plate screwed under the engine and two diagonal beams on the front of the base plate. More powerful brakes must be able to properly restrain the CLA 35 4Matic, too. Mercedes-AMG naturally opted for a set of sports springs and dampers and gives the A 35 an AMG exhaust system with active valves and sound modulation.
Outside, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4Matic can be recognized thanks to its grille with double chrome bars and its slightly different and sportierly shaped bumpers on both the front and rear. Incidentally, the external changes are not that radical, when compared to a regular CLA optioned with the AMG package. The sills are wider, the new Mercedes-AMG A 35 rides on generous 18- and optionally 19-inch alloy wheels and two exhausts are visible on either side of the rear diffuser. In addition, we see a subtle rear spoiler on top of the tailgate.
The interior is decorated with upholstery that is partly made of faux leather and partly made of microfibre, all with the mandatory red stitching, of course. The same applies to the dashboard, doors which get various other red accents. Mercedes-Benz also equips the CLA 35 with a sporty AMG steering wheel, that is flat at the bottom and is furthermore equipped adorned with touch buttons. Optionally, client can specify a rotary knob that incorporates a display and allows the selection of the Mercedes-AMG driving modes: AMG Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport + and Individual.
The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4Matic will be unveiled at the New York International Auto Show, which opens its doors later this month (April 19–28), and not at the Shanghai motor show as we anticipated in our teaser article about the new CLA 35 from yesterday. The European market launch is set for August. We also expect to see the new CLA Shooting Brake get the Mercedes-AMG 35 treatment anytime soon.
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