Mercedes-Benz AMG A35 4MATIC Saloon Test Drive Review
This is probably the best starter Benz you could consider if you were looking to get into world of Mercedes-Benz ownership. Well, more like the A250 Saloon which retails for RM259,255.33 and carries a 224hp engine. Its smart looking and its equipped to the hilt with all the necessary safety features and cabin appointments that will make you happy.
Now, our personal choice would be the rather limited and rare to find Denim Blue colour with the Artico Dinamica black interior. Launched in March 2020, Mercedes-Benz decided that their A-Class sedan should not carry the name CLA anymore and instead use the name Saloon which really makes better sense for the global market to understand that this is an A-Class hot hatch with a boot, a Saloon.
Saloon EXPLAINED
Now the last version of the Mercedes-Benz CLA range arrived in Malaysia in September 2016 and carried a price tag from RM236,888 for the CLA 200 to RM278,888 for the CLA 250 Sport 4MATIC to RM408,888 for the heart stopping CLA 45 4MATIC. There was no CLA35 at the time. The market response was good, but not great as the CLA had a small rear passenger space and compact boot space. Also, it was priced to close to the larger and better equipped C-Class.
Now comes a brand new range of compact Mercedes-Benz Saloons and this time we have an AMG tuned A35 4MATICwhich was launched in September last year (2019) for RM348,888 and it comes with a 2.0L turbocharged engine that delivers 306hp for a 0-100km/h run in just 4.9 seconds.
The new A35 4MATIC Saloon will appeal to young target group of Malaysians who are looking for a high level of performance and a comfortable amount of space for passengers and luggage.
Saloon LOOKS
This four-door Saloon is based on a wheelbase of 2729 millimeters and displays the powerful proportions of a dynamic and at the same time compact Saloon car with sporty short overhangs at the front and rear. The radiator grille with twin louvers, the AMG Line front apron with flics on the air intakes, a front splitter and silver chrome trim elements are distinguishing AMG design features.
In the side view, the aerodynamically optimized 18-inch light-alloy wheels and the side sill panels of the AMG Line catch the eye. The muscular vehicle shoulder with a precise character line running below it emphasizes the perfectly contoured side volume. The side mirrors sit on the beltline as on a sports car.
The two-part tail lamps and the new diffuser insert underscore the rear end that emphasizes width. Additionally, there is the spoiler lip on the boot lid and the two round tailpipe trims positioned on the extreme left and right.
Saloon INTERIOR
Providing average shoulder, elbow and headroom with an easy access to the rear allows for this to be a young family car as well. The A35 4MATIC Saloon boot holds 420 litres and has a boot opening with a width of 950 mm and a diagonal of 462 mm between lock and lower edge of the rear window. This allows comfortable loading and unloading, even of larger luggage items. This applies in particular to the optional KEYLESS-GO comfort package with HANDS-FREE ACCESS. The HANDS-FREE ACCESS convenience function enables hands-free and fully automatic opening of the boot lid with a kicking motion of the foot under the rear bumper.
Saloon MBUX Multimedia System
This A35 4MATIC Saloon comes with a new MBUX multimedia system that combines an intuitive operating structure with sporty design. MBUX creates an even closer connection between the vehicle, driver and passengers. Emotionally appealing presentations underline the clear control structure and feature brilliant maximum-resolution 3D graphics. Visually, the two displays under one shared glass cover blend into a Widescreen Cockpit and as a central element consequently emphasize the horizontal orientation of the interior design.
It has voice control which is activated with the words “Hey Mercedes”. Thanks to artificial intelligence, MBUX recognizes and understands mostly all sentences from the fields of infotainment and vehicle operation, even if they are expressed indirectly.
Saloon Digital Instrument Cluster
The customer can choose between three AMG display styles for the instrument cluster. The Supersport mode is particularly striking with a central, round rev counter and additional information presented in the form of bars to the left and right of the rev counter: with a three-dimensional perspective, they reach far into the background to an artificial horizon. Via the AMG menu, the driver can call up various special displays such as Warm-up, Set-up, G-Force and Engine Data.
Saloon AMG Engineering
The crankcase made of high-strength, lightweight die-cast aluminium reduces the vehicle weight where it matters most for driving dynamics.
A twin-scroll turbocharger is used for turbocharging. It combines optimum responsiveness at low engine speeds with a strong power increase at higher speeds. The housing of the twin-scroll turbocharger is divided into two parallel ducts. Together with two separate exhaust ducts in the exhaust manifold, this makes it possible to channel the exhaust gases separately on the turbine wheel. This minimizes the mutual negative influence of the individual cylinders in the charge change cycle. This reduces the exhaust backpressure and improves the charge change as well as the efficiency of the engine. The exhaust system features an automatically controlled exhaust flap as standard. Depending on the drive program selected the sound is modulated from balanced to powerful.
Saloon Efficiency
The high technological standards of the new four-cylinder engine are underscored by numerous efficiency-enhancing measures. These include CAMTRONIC variable valve control, intelligent thermal management for engine and oil, high-precision piezo injectors and multi-spark ignition. In production, the patented CONICSHAPE® cylinder honing reduces internal engine friction and also increases efficiency.
Saloon Driving Dynamics
The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine boasts a spontaneous response to accelerator pedal commands, high tractive power and a lively response with an engine note typical of AMG.
One of the best traits of this or any AMG tuned Benz is its drive attitude that comes from its high levels of grip and strong brakes that inspire the kind of confidence that lets you probe further than your drive instinct would normally allow. This is a very well-balanced car with quite a tenacious grip and eager performance. At speeds, turn-in is sharp and it points where it’s intended, however it is shaken off-line on pot-holed corners and uneven surfaces with its super firm suspension and tight chassis. In ‘comfort’ mode the ride takes a twist and returns a pliant and comfortable ride more akin to an executive sedan. It can be precisely-placed when cornering quickly on well paved roads only and, even with some induced slide feels controlled and very well-balanced. And the result? Pure driving enjoyment.
Specifications Mercedes-AMG A35 4MATIC Saloon
Engine: 4-cylinder Turbocharged
Capacity: 1991cc
Transmission: AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7G Dual Clutch
Max Power: 306bhp at 5800rpm
Max Torque: 400Nm at 3000-4000rpm
0-100km/h: 4.8seconds
Top speed: 250km/h Restricted
Price: RM348,888.00
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