The current BMW M140i won’t continue to exist for very long. However, it will soon be replaced by a front-wheel drive version, based on BMW’s latest UKL architecture. When that happens, it will be more true a competitor to the other German competition in the segment, with cars like the Audi S3 and the new Mercedes-AMG A35, the latter of which just debuted at the 2018 Paris Motor Show.
This new Mercedes-AMG A35 won’t be the fully-fledged AMG version of the A-Class. It’s sort of a warmed-up-hatch, rather than a hot-hatch. So it packs a 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, making 306 hp and 296 lb-ft of torque. While those numbers aren’t as good as the current BMW M140i, which packs 340 hp and 369 lb-ft, they will likely be closer to those of the upcoming M140i, which will also get a 2.0 liter turbo-four.
Where the new AMG A35 really shines, though, is in style. It looks great and may be the best looking hot-hatch on the market. The standard A-Class looks good by itself but throw in a large fixed rear wing, massive exhausts and even some little canards and the A35 looks properly cool.
That style continues onto the interior as well. It gets a chunky AMG steering wheel that isn’t dissimilar to the one found in the new AMG S63, dual dash screens and some cool air vents on the dash. Oh, and those fantastic seats. It’s all very sporty and very premium looking for such a small car.
Obviously, we won’t know how well it handles until it hits the road but things are looking good for it. While AMG didn’t actually build this car, the folks in Affalterbach did give it a once over. So it should be a spiky little thing.
With its combination of good looks and good power, the Mercedes-AMG A35 should be a very popular car among young enthusiasts. If only we got it in America.
Stay tuned for more from the Paris Motor Show.
