Mercedes-Benz’s AMG performance-car division adds a price-leading 4-door model to its lineup in the form of the all-wheel-drive A35 4Matic sedan.
Set for U.S. sale later this year, it is the second of Mercedes-Benz’s latest generation of compact models to receive the go-fast treatment following the A35 4Matic hatchback, which went on sale late last year in select markets across Europe.
Pricing has yet to be announced, although the A35 4Matic sedan is planned to be positioned beneath the C43 in North America and will compete against the Audi S3 sedan and upcoming BMW M240i Gran Coupe due for introduction in 2020.
The new AMG model receives the same transversely mounted turbocharged 2.0L 4-cyl. gasoline engine as the A35 hatchback. Based on the M254 designated unit used by the A250 sedan, it produces 302 hp and 295 lb.-ft. (400 Nm) of torque.
The boosted reserves are sent to all four wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox – a combination Mercedes-AMG says can vary the drive split from 100% to the front wheels to 50:50 front and rear, depending on prevailing traction levels.
The German automaker quotes an official 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 4.8 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).
By comparison, the Audi S3 sedan uses a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cyl. gasoline engine with 310 hp and 280 lb.-ft. (380 Nm) of torque, with 0-62 mph acceleration in 5.3 seconds and the same 155-mph top speed.
Underpinning the A35 4Matic sedan is a retuned version of the A250 sedan’s MacPherson strut (front) and multi-link (rear) suspension, which can be optioned with adaptive dampers and comes allied to standard 18-in. wheels.
Mirroring the visual changes already incorporated into the A35 4Matic hatchback, the A35 4Matic sedan receives a heavily restyled front bumper featuring a front splitter element, larger air ducts and a revised grille. At the rear, it adopts a similarly sporting treatment with a new bumper with a multi-channel diffuser and twin chromed tailpipes as well as a small lip spoiler atop its short trunklid.
Inside, the A35 4Matic sedan has Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX operating system, which works in combination with standard digital instruments and an infotainment display within a common panel within the top of the dashboard. The instruments can be customized with different modes, including a so-called Supersport mode which provides AMG-specific data.
Further upgrades over the A250 sedan include front sport seats and AMG trim applications. Trunk space is put at 14.8 cu.-ft. (419 L), some 0.2 cu.-ft. (5.7 L) less than that claimed by Audi for the S3 sedan.
