Warm Sleeper. Mercedes-AMG A 35 sedan officially launched in Malaysia!

September 30, 2019 benautobahn Off Mercedes-Benz,

Yes there’s a new AMG model in town, which is always a good thing. Back in April Mercedes-Benz Malaysia showed us the A-Class limousine (sedan), and today we see the launch of the warmer AMG variant in the form of the A 35 4MATIC sedan.

Powered by a 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, this entry-level AMG model produces a substantial 306hp at 5,800 rpm and 400 Nm of torque between 3000 – 4000 rpm through a 7-speed DCT. 0 to 100 km/h takes 4.8 second and a top speed of 250km/h. You can definitely thank the Race-Start (launch control) function and 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system for that impressive acceleration, which can also transfer 100% power to the front wheels or 50:50 distribution of power to the front and rear axles.

While it’s officially an AMG model, the A 35 wears the same AMG Line bodykit one could get in the regular A-Class sedan. Meaning there’s no flared arches with wider stance, nor does it feature quad tail pipes like in the A 45. Depending on how you see it, this makes the A 35 a true sleeper or buyers are being shortchanged.

More ways to differentiate the A 35 from the regular model would be the larger 19-inch AMG rims surrounding the larger brakes, while the interior receives sportier touches such as the ARTICO man-made leather and DINAMICA microfiber combo on the seats, not to mention red stitching and red seat belts.

Under the A 35 body gets you AMG RIDE CONTROL, which is Mercedes speak for adjustable damping, so the driver could set the usual Comfort or Sport setting. AMG DYNAMIC SELECT with added AMG DYNAMICS on the other hand means that one could adjust the amount of ESP intervention.

Other upgrades you cannot see would be the added strengthening to the car. The A 35 gets a “shearing plate” which is an aluminium plate underneath the engine for increased torsional rigidity, while two extra diagonal braces under the front’s underbody further increase stiffness.

Like what you see? The Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC will set you back RM348,888 (OTR without insurance). There’s not really a direct competitor to the A 35 sedan in Malaysia. Using similar performance figures as a comparison, a Volkswagen Golf R will cost you around 50 grand less, while conversely adding 50 grand on top of the A 35’s price will get you the BMW X2 M35i or even Mercedes’s own E 350.

Interestingly, one could also get an Audi A5 Sportback (5-door) 2.0 TFSI quattro for similar money to the A 35. Should performance not be a priority, the Audi might be worth a look, as the A5 Sportback will definitely turn more heads, while offering more space within without sacrificing brand prestige.

On the other hand, if you care more about performance and less about the badge, then the KIA Stinger GT offers the most bang-for-buck. The Korean gets a 3.3 liter twin-turbo V6 with 365hp while costing 40k less than the A 35. Enter the used market and your options open up even further, but I digress.

The A 35 now joins the extended family within Mercedes-AMG. Meaning there’s now the 35, 43, 45, 53, and 63 models (V12 65 is dead) within AMG. Whether or not this move is diluting the AMG brand is another story altogether, but there’s no denying that the entry to the AMG brand has never been more accessible.