There's a strong rumour BMW will be enhancing the current M8 to create an M8 CSL. Here's what we know.
First reported on Spanish website Motor.es, the BMW M8 CSL is reportedly set for introduction in 2022. It's suggested the twin-turbocharged V8 motor will be replaced by an advanced hybrid 6-cylinder motor, reportedly delivering 521 kW.
The supposed BMW M8 CSL will boast a new look, with a front bumper dominated by huge air intakes and the source suggested there'll even be a vented bonnet. What's really interesting is that recently, an odd-looking BMW 8-Series mule was spotted around the Nurburgring, with many suggesting the engine was located mid-mounted.
It's quite obvious the rear seats have been deleted and in its place is an engine.
Given how Mercedes-AMG is already working on an electrified version of its AMG GT63 S, it makes perfect sense for the Bavarian brand to follow. We'll be watching this closely and will update you when more information on the BMW M8 CSL emerges.
Anticipation for Mazda’s third-generation BT-50 bakkie range is steadily building, as the Japanese brand ramps-up production.
This new BT-50 is a mechanical twin of the latest Isuzu D-Max and with the global launch schedule now commencing, we have gained greater insight into the Mazda’s specification and available accessories.
Powered by an Isuzu 3-litre turbodiesel engine, the new BT-50 has impressive hauling statistics. All double-cabs, irrespective of transmission choice or whether they are 4×4 or 4×2, have been certified to tow 3 500 kg.
Loadbox carrying capacity is on the double-cab cab is a notable 1 106 kg, which should provide all the capacity any leisure user would need, for Safari travel in the SADC region.
An interesting specification to note is that Mazda will not be offering any of its BT-50 double-cab 4x2s with the six-speed manual transmission option. If you want to select gears yourself, that is only available on the 4×4 variants, which also offer the six-speed automatic drivetrain.
Off-road capabilities are competitive, with 240 mm of ground clearance and an 800 mm water fording ability. The new BT-50 also tallies an approach angle of 30.4-degrees and can leave a technical obstacle at 25.3-degree, without doing damage to its rear section bodywork or bumper.
Mazda is clearly targeting the new BT-50 as a lifestyle and light adventure double-cab bakkie. To provide customers with a broad option of customization, it will offer a generous selection of accessories.
One of the most impressive new BT-50 accessories is a wraparound steel bullbar. Designed to not interfere with the BT-50's engine cooling, sophisticated parking sensors or safety scanning cameras, this bullbar also offers mounting points for additional spotlights.
For South African Mazda BT-50 fans the option of a robust factory bullbar would be very desirable. Especially one that is structured to protect the vehicle’s entire front section in the event of an animal strike – and can illuminate a gravel road more effectively, at night, with those spotlight mounting points in use.
Last year Toyota has announced its intention to build the ultimate SUV, a space utility vehicle, and now it has a name…
The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has ambitions of making a moon landing by 2030 and it requires a vehicle for astronauts to drive on the surface. Toyota has vast experience in conquering tough terrain with vehicles such as the Land Cruiser and you should therefore not be surprised that the forthcoming space vehicle has been named the Lunar Cruiser.
As Japan’s largest automotive company, Toyota was an obvious candidate for this project and the renderings you see here provide some indication of what the Lunar Cruiser will look like.
Requirements are strict and call for a pressurised vehicle, capable of travelling vast distances while supporting two astronauts within its cabin. That last detail means that Toyota’s engineers will have to find extremely clever packaging solutions for the moon rover’s interior, as astronauts move about with their spacesuits on.
The Lunar Cruiser is expected to be powered by fuel-cells and have a driving range of 10 000 km. The interior will also feature 13m² of work and living floor space. In terms of overall size, Toyota says the project specification is for a vehicle 6 m in length, 5.2 m wide and 3.8 m tall.
From the images Toyota has revealed of its first concept rendering, we can deduce that the Lunar Cruiser will also be six-wheel drive and features very interesting tyre and wheel technology.
Traditional pressured rubber tyres would not work on the moon and Toyota appears to be opting for a one-piece wheel design, where the entire structure is metal and designed in a way to allow for some flex.
A large deployable solar panel, using the latest solar energy harvesting technology, should help the Toyota Lunar Cruiser to augment its on-board fuel-cell provided range. The last vehicle to drive on the moon was back in 1972 and was extremely limited in range. With the Lunar Cruiser, the expectation is that it will allow for unprecedented exploration of the moon surface.
The development of the Lunar Cruiser is expected to be complete by 2029 with the moon mission taking place in 2030.
The updated Nissan Patrol is now available in South Africa! Check out specs and pricing below…
It’s almost been a year since the ageing updated Nissan Patrol was revealed and the good news is that it has finally made it to South Africa.
The burly luxury offroader from Nissan now wears an updated face which incorporates Nissan’s V-motion grille which is complemented with a new boomerang-shaped LED headlight design and C-shaped daytime running lights. A similar light design is seen at the rear with integrated sequential turn signals, which is a first for Nissan. The Patrol rides on 18-inch alloy wheels.
On the inside, passengers are treated to new quilted leather seats that feature added padding while the front seats are conditioned and come with electronic lumbar support. An 8.0-inch colour touchscreen is fitted along with comfort and convenience features such as climate control air conditioning, push-button start and keyless entry. Nissan has also managed to improve Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) which has resulted in a quieter cabin.
Nissan has also equipped the Patrol with Intelligent Mobility driver assistance technology in an effort to enhance safety and features include emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, intelligent cruise control and intelligent driver alert.
The Nissan Patrol is powered by the familiar 5.6-litre V8 that develops 298 kW and 560 Nm of torque and equipped with a 7-speed automatic transmission. Equipped with Intelligent 4×4 and a 4-wheel limited-slip differential, the Patrol is near-unstoppable when it comes to tackling rough terrain with a total of 4 drive modes to choose from. Nissan says that the Patrol’s suspension has also been improved while also reducing vibration which should bode well for passenger comfort.
Nissan Patrol (2020) Price in South Africa
Patrol 5.6L V8 – R1 515 700
The Nissan Patrol is sold with a 6-year/150 000 km warranty and a 3-year/90 000 km service plan.
Toyota has revealed some sporty upgrades to its Yaris Cross.
This is Toyota’s new B-SUV and is underpinned byToyota's New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform. Despite it being marketed as a popular compact family vehicle, Toyota's Gazoo Racing has released a catalogue of GR accessories to give the car a sporty look.
At first glance, we're getting a rally vibe and it should come as no surprise as the GR Yaris is expected to be participating in the World Rally Championship soon. The red mud flaps are an amusing touch, but the real changes can be found in the bumpers, side door decals, sporty exhaust and black 18-inch alloy wheels.
Gazoo Racing is also offering a branded sunshade as well as a luggage mat for the cabin.
There's no mention of mechanical changes, and the standard car offers the 4th-generation hybrid powertrain consisting of a new 3-cylinder 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine which combines with an electric motor to produce a maximum power output of 85 kW.
Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic Sedan (2020) Launch Review
What if you want a brand-new compact Mercedes-AMG sedan, but your budget can't quite stretch to a CLA 45 S? Well, the Affalterbach-based brand has something up its sleeve just for you in the shape of the A35 4Matic. We headed to the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Driving Academy at Zwartkops to put the brand's new compact "35" offerings through their paces.
What is it?
Mercedes-AMG has broadened its portfolio to include the 35-range of compact cars. Given the sizeable differences in power and torque between the 250 derivatives in Mercedes-Benz's A-Class and CLA line-ups and the headlining 45 S and CLA 45 S 4Matic+ derivatives, which now cost comfortably in excess of R1 million, the Affalterbach-based brand has introduced the 35s in South Africa to offer a more sensible compromise between performance and attainability.
There are serious rivals to the A35 4Matic hatchback, A35 4Matic sedan and CLA 35 4Matic: the BMW M135i and M235i Gran Coupe xDrives are already on sale, and Audi Sport should introduce its S3 hatch and S3 sedan in early 2021.
Visually, you can spot a 35 by virtue of an AMG-specific grille, bigger wheels (18-inch rims are standard) and a neat 2-pipe exhaust system at the rear. There are subtle Turbo 4Matic badges on the flanks and AMG logos adorn the nose and tail. Inside, you get sportier seats, a great-looking sports steering wheel complete with drive mode selectors (like those found the in the C63) and, for those who love their tech, the MBUX "Hello Mercedes" infotainment system.
For detailed specifications on this vehicle, click here.
Is it fast?
The A35's powerplant is closely based on that of the 250, but it emits all the right racy noises to please hot-hatch fans.
All models in the 35 family share a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine that generates peak outputs of 225 kW and 400 Nm. It's essentially the A250's powerplant, but with a few upgrades, such as a twin-scroll turbocharger. Drive is chanelled to all 4 wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and Mercedes-AMG reckons the hatch, sedan and CLA versions will dispatch the 0-100 kph sprint in just 4.7, 4.8 and 4.9 seconds respectively (in each case, the top speed is electronically limited to 250 kph). Impressively, these acceleration times are almost on par with the first-generation A45, which had a claimed 0-100 kph of 4.6 seconds. How's that for progress?
We had the opportunity to safely sample the vehicles' Race Start launch control functionality on the Zwartkops race track. The function is now even easier to engage than before: simply turn a dial to engage Sport+, put your left foot on the brake and plant your right foot fully on the Benz's accelerator pedal. The Race Start graphic will appear on the dashboard and the engine revs will climb. Release the brake when you're ready and the A35's 4-wheels will duly grope the asphalt and launch the vehicle toward the horizon. Mercedes-AMG says the 35 model is driven mostly by its front wheels for efficiency, but when needed (like a Race Start), the vehicle can send up to 50% of its torque to the rear axle.
What's it like to drive?
The Mercedes-AMG A35 cabin features all the gadgets and gizmos you'd ever need, including the MBUX infotainment system.
For those who haven't driven on the Zwartkops Raceway before, the circuit is an entertaining ribbon of tarmac that offers quite a few interesting corners. After a quick out lap (to reacquaint ourselves with the layout and to test the Race Start function), it was time to put the hammer down. There are various driving modes, which alter the engine and transmission's responsiveness, steering feel and the settings of the suspension's adjustable dampers (if specified).
Based on our first impressions, the A35 4Matic is a surprisingly punchy compact sedan that offers commendable levels of grip. In Sport+ mode, the variable exhaust is wide open and enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that the newcomer emits all the prerequisite pops and bangs with every gear change. You can let the car shift cogs automatically, or take control yourself with the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. The benefit of doing the latter is that it eliminates the box's habit of kicking down automatically in response to sharp applications of the accelerator pedal (in sportier drive modes). In general, the 'box is responsive and shifts up crisply. Downshifts are satisfactorily brisk too.
The steering setup is light and sharp – there's much delight to extract from twirling the tiller, even in the tightest of corners. What's more, thanks to the all-wheel-drive system, you'll find yourself clipping corner apexes and feeding in the power sooner with each passing lap. There's very little understeer – an issue that plagued the 1st-generation A45 – because the system smartly apportions torque between the axles. If you're over-eager you'll feel a little squirm, which will put a smile on your face. It's all completely manageable, which will perfectly suit those who purchase a 35 as their first serious performance vehicle. It's wonderfully predictable, which is what we think the majority of consumers will want.
We were impressed with the brakes too, which allowed the A35 down to scrub off speed without fuss. The entire 35 compact family features 350-mm brake discs with 4-piston monoblock fixed calipers at the front and single-piston sliding calipers at the rear. Sadly, being a track launch with no public-road driving, we're not in a position to pass comment or judgment on the ride quality. We'll be driving the A35 extensively across all grades of tarmac when we get it for testing.
Summary
Seeing as there is no 45 in the A-Class Sedan range, the A35 4Matic is the flagship version in the line-up.
Despite completing just a few laps in the A35 4Matic sedan, our interest in the new "entry-level AMG" is well and truly piqued. To reiterate, with the new A45 S and CLA 45 S 4Matic+ derivatives priced over the R1 million mark, they're no longer within reach of premium compact car buyers – they're exclusive specialist cars. Having said that, the new 35 compact range has more than enough going for it to keep the Mercedes-Benz and AMG fans happy.
There's enough straight-line performance on offer to see off the front-wheel-drive hot hatch brigade, while those seeking cornering thrills won't be disappointed either. If you want more hardcore performance, then look to the Mercedes-AMG A45 S and Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S, which are VERY quick cars. For the daily commute (with occasional high-speed jaunts sprinkled in between), the A35 4Matic is likely to be punchy and engaging enough to please most buyers.
Inside, there are plenty of luxury and sporty touches that will please the digitally-connected target audience, and we think these models will steal more than a few sales from the aforementioned flagship offerings.
Mercedes-AMG 35 price in South Africa (September 2020)
All 35 models are sold with a 2-year/unlimited km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
The Hilux is an important product for the local bakkie market and as such, the updated engines announced earlier this year, are a very big deal.
When Toyota confirmed that its 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine would eventually get closer to rivalling the Ford’s Ranger bi-turbo 2-litre in performance, Hilux fans were thrilled. With a peak power output of 150KW and 500Nm of torque, the revised Hilux 2.8-litre engine is everything followers of the most popular Japanese bakkie model desired.
How did Toyota achieve those engine output gains? Was it only a question some clever engine control unit recalibration?
New details about the 2.8-litre engine upgrade indicate that engineers at Toyota have taken quite a dedicated approach to boosting performance, by virtue of some rather meticulous mechanical engineering.
Instead of merely relying on clever software coding, Toyota’s engineers realised that the severe loads Hilux owners operate their bakkie under, would require improved hardware.
The improvement in power is credited to a larger variable nozzle turbocharger, capable of rushing more air into the system. This new turbocharger is also part of a redesigned exhaust manifold, which feeds it a more efficient pathway of gas to power the impeller.
More boost and power mean greater pressures and to balance those, the engine block is reshaped to be a stronger overall structure. Toyota has also sourced new pistons and rings, to cope with the increased internal loads of its 150 kW 2.8 GD engine.
In bakkies engine cooling can become an issue when towing heavy loads, or churning through thick sand, in sweltering temperatures. To ensure the new Hilux 2.8 never runs too warm, Toyota’s engineers redesigned the cylinder head for a superior water jacket shape, facilitating better cooling.
Hilux bakkies are popular overlanding and off-road exploration vehicles. Toyota has also worked on improving the diesel particulate filter system (DPF) of its new 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine. This is something that will be of particular interest to South African customers, who regularly venture deep into rural areas and bordering countries, where fuel quality can be poor.
Ford tuner Roush Performance has released details of its upgrades for the 2020 Ford Ranger. Check it out!
Roush is a tuner known for its stellar work on the iconic Mustang, but it also dabbles in bakkies. The 2020 Roush Ranger is available with a Roush Fox performance suspension system as well as 32-inch Grabber rubber wrapped around satin black Roush alloy wheels. Roush is offering a high-performance cat-back performance exhaust system.
Roush has given the 2020 Ranger massive wheel arches, a bold grille with LED lighting, red tow hooks, custom badging, puddle lamps as well as a neat decal set on the exterior.
Inside, the Roush Ranger receives upgrades in the form of premium leather with quilted stitching and embroidered headrests, as well as durable floor mats. Customers can opt for an aluminum retractable bed cover, a bed cargo manager, an off-road utility kit as well as additional lighting.
“The Ranger is a great platform out of the factory, but we’ve taken it to the next level, giving it the performance and capabilities to make it an exceptional all-around vehicle on any terrain,” said Jack Roush Jr.
After a long delay, the Mercedes-AMG 45 range has finally touched down in South Africa. We headed to the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Driving Academy in Pretoria to put the newcomers through the ultimate test: a high-performance track-driving session. Was the new Mercedes-AMG A45 S 4Matic+ worth the wait?
South Africa is an important country for Mercedes-AMG; did you know that Mzansi is the Affalterbach-based brand's 3rd biggest market… in the world? Evidently, we're obsessed with Mercedes-AMG's wares and, these days, there is something for everyone's needs and tastes. The Mercedes-AMG A45 S and its CLA 45 S sibling were due to be launched locally in March 2020, but Covid-19 came along and ruined all the plans, but finally, the dynamic duo is here.
What is it?
With that grille and the optional AMG Aerodynamics package fitted, the new A45 S 4Matic+ looks menacing.
The Mercedes-AMG A45 S is the fastest compact offering from the Three-pointed Star's performance division. Powered by the most powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol motor in series production (yes, that's still the case), the flagship is available as a 5-door hatchback, with the CLA 45 S batting for the sedan side. Mercedes-AMG is not trying to hide its ambitions of offering the hottest hot hatch – you'll be able to spot the flagship A-Class offering by virtue of its Panamericana vertically-slatted grille, quad exhausts and specific wheels. We reckon many customers will opt for the AMG Aerodynamics pack, which gives the car additional wings, spoilers and splitters for a hardcore visual look.
For detailed specifications on this vehicle, click here.
Is it fast?
310 kW and 500 Nm from a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder are insane outputs for such a small car.
Underneath the bonnet of both the A45 S and CLA 45 S is a substantially revised 2.0-litre turbocharged motor. It delivers a staggering 310 kW and 500 Nm, and Mercedes-AMG claims a 3.9-sec run from 0 to 100 kph for the hatchback, with the CLA 45 S a fraction slower at 4.0 sec. We had the chance to sample the new Race Start function and, with the car primed and crouching like a hungry predator, we stepped off the brake… then all hell broke loose. First gear at full throttle is over in a blink of an eye and the Mercedes-AMG Speedshift 8-speed dual-clutch 'box slams the next gear home without any hesitation whatsoever. Rinse and repeat. You can shift gears yourself, but you're likely to be slower than the car's computer. The 4Matic+ all-wheel drive provides excellent levels of grip and there's precious little wheelspin when conducting a Race Start. As for top speed, the AMG Driver‘s Package will let you hit a top speed of 270 kph.
What's it like to drive?
Thanks to the clever 4Matic+ all-wheel drive, trick differentials and dual-clutch transmission, the A45 S is a riot on a racetrack.
The media launch took place at the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Driving Academy located at Zwartkops Raceway. Having warmed up and refamiliarised ourselves with the track's layout behind the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic, it was time to unleash the hardcore A45 S. Prior flings with the previous-generation A45 S at its international launch event at the DTM circuit of Lausitzring proved that, yes, it was quick in a straight line, but it was prone to understeer and it didn't quite have that cornering finesse that dyed-in-the-wool track addicts crave. The good news, however, is that Mercedes-AMG has worked some magic on the car's handling prowess and the results represent quite a leap forward.
The Affalterbach-tuned hatchback's steering is light and doesn't offer much in the way of feel, but it's more than adequate for hustling the A45 S around the twisties. Ultimately, it's the 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system, trick mechanical differential at the front and electronic rear differential that work wonders and impress the most. Typically, most all-wheel-drive vehicles tend to understeer when barrelling into bends at heady speeds, but the magic of the A45 S' setup means that it cleverly dials that out and, as you power out of corners, the 4Matic+ directs most of the torque to the rear axle to induce a touch of oversteer. There's precision cornering… and then the A45 S takes it up another notch!
The levels of grip at the driver's disposal are deeply impressive and it's going to take some ham-fisted careless or excessive aggro on the part of the driver to upset the balance of the car. Believe us – we tried! With each successive lap, we tried to brake later and accelerate earlier out of a particular corner and every time the A45 S just gripped prodigiously and clawed its way out. We think that most A45 S drivers will run out of bravery before they find the vehicle's limit.
And what about that engine? Wow, what an incredible feat of engineering. Few would have believed an output in excess of 300 kW from a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder motor (covered by a full manufacturer warranty) would be possible, yet here we are. Some clever turbo wizardry has resulted in minimal lag from the get-go (there's plenty of torque at low revs), yet the motor is quite happy to be spun up all the way to the redline too.
Then there's that soundtrack; something that's so important in AMG products. Most turbocharged direct-injection 4-cylinder motors emit a tuneless mechanical drone, unlike the characterful 5-pots and V-configuration engines. The A45 S doesn't disappoint, however. It's loud and purposeful in Race mode, but the active exhaust muffles the cacophony in Comfort mode (so you won't upset your neighbours) and yes, of course, there are lovely pops, bangs and crackles.
With Drift Mode, you can really hang the tail out and slide to your heart's content. Where you'd do such a thing remains to be seen.
Drift mode is now offered in the Mercedes-AMG A45 S and CLA 45 S for the first time. Essentially, it disables the front axle and directs all the motor's available torque to the rear wheels. When the system is enabled (and the A45 S is traversing a sufficiently slippery surface), oodles of tail-sliding happiness is indeed at your disposal. We had a chance to drive both the A45 S and CLA 45 S on a wet skidpan, and nothing can quite prepare you for how quickly the cars' rear-ends can break away – we found ourselves using the side windows to see where we're going! Given the CLA 45 S's longer shape, it felt even more capable of big-angle slides. It's hilariously good fun as you hook 2nd gear, plant the accelerator pedal to the floor and turn the 'wheel. After a few practice runs, we soon got the knack of "hanging the tail out". As fun as it was, we do wonder where 45 owners would get a chance to try it out (other than a wet skidpan)?
We'd love to discuss the ride quality, but seeing as this launch event was conducted on a race track, we're unable to pass judgement on that. We'll have the vehicle on test soon and will put it through a thorough on-road assessment then.
Summary
The king is dead, long live the king. Meet your new hyper hatch champion…
We knew the new Mercedes-AMG A45 S was going to be an absolute scorcher in a straight line, but we are impressed by how AMG has righted many of the predecessor's wrongs. It's an incredibly precise and entertaining driving tool, but if corners aren't your thing, that Race Start will ensure that it's going to take something special to pull away quicker than a A45 S. The cabin layout and design is great – it really looks the part and imparts the racing motif well.
The MBUX infotainment system, meanwhile, has been given an AMG look and feel, but there's information overload. With 6 driving modes and custom graphics, different themes as well as something called TrackPace, which has the world's race tracks loaded onto it, the digital razzmatazz does get a bit much. If you buy one of these, you're going to have to spend hours exploring the depths of the infotainment system before you've even switched the engine on.
All of this magic comes at a price, of course. At R1.1 million for the Mercedes-AMG A45 S and R1.2 million for the CLA 45 S, both of these offerings have been priced out of reach of most enthusiasts. However, we suspect we may see a few C63 S owners downsizing to a CLA 45 S and we'd completely understand if they did. If you had your heart set on an A45 S and are put off by the price, Benz has introduced the A35, which offers "2/3rds the fun" for "2/3rds the price".
Now we wait in anticipation for Audi Sport to reveal its new RS3 Sportback and then we'll have one of the biggest showdowns on the cards. Your move, Ingolstadt!
Mercedes-AMG 45 Price in South Africa (September 2020)
All 45 models are sold with a 2-year/unlimited km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
Mercedes-AMG has introduced its most affordable new model in South Africa – in hatchback, sedan and “4-door coupe” guises. The newcomers are rivals to the upcoming Audi S3 variants, BMW M135i & M235i Gran Coupe and the Volkswagen Golf R.
The 5-door and 4-door variants A35- and CLA 35 4Matic were always intended to be part of the W177, V177 and C118 Mercedes-Benz compart car line-up; they were developed in conjunction with their A45 S and CLA 45S 4Matic+ siblings.
Mercedes-AMG had to walk a tightrope with the A35's styling; it has to be purposeful, but without stealing the A45's thunder.
They effectively fill the gaps in the A-Class and CLA line-ups between the 250 and A45 S derivatives. Whereas the 250 AMG Line derivatives are front-wheel-driven and powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine that produces 165 kW and 350 Nm, the newcomers’ motors are tuned to produce 225 kW and 400 Nm.
What’s more, they direct torque to all 4 wheels courtesy of an AMG Speedshift DCT 7G dual-clutch transmission mated with a 4Matic all-wheel drivetrain. Mercedes-AMG claims a 0-to-100 kph sprint time of just 4.7 seconds for the hatch, 4.8 seconds for the sedan, and 4.9 seconds for the CLA 35 4Matic.
The A35 4Matic has an identical power output to the BMW M135i xDrive (225 kW), but produces 50 nm less torque (400 Nm).
The newcomers are distinguished by a markedly sportier radiator grille, an AMG Line front bumper with a large central air intake and splitter, while the twin louvres in the outer air intakes complement those in the grille. AMG has more or less kept the flanks the same (with wide wheel arches and a slim waistline), while the rear bumper features a black apron and a pair of large-bore exhaust ends.
Inside, the most notable AMG-themed differences are contrast stitching and the flat-bottom steering wheel, replete with metal shift paddles and touch-control buttons, which can be used to toggle between instrument cluster display themes and access the class-leading MBUX multimedia system (which includes the “Hey Mercedes” function) by swiping the little black pads horizontally and vertically.
The shapely optional AMG sports seats certainly add a sense of theatre to the otherwise understated cabin execution.
If the Widescreen Cockpit is specified, the driver can choose between three AMG display styles. The Supersport mode, for example, incorporates a central, round rev counter and additional information presented in the form of bars on either sides of the rev counter. The 3-dimensional perspective is particularly striking.
But it is on the road where the A35- and CLA 35 really set themselves apart from lesser A-Class and CLA derivatives. The driver can choose between AMG Dynamic Select driving programs: Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport + and Individual; the modes alter vehicle characteristics from comfortable to dynamic by changing relevant parameters, such as the responses of the engine and transmission.
The A35 4Matic sedan is, unlike its hatchback and CLA siblings, the flagship of the 4-door range.
The AMG suspension is optionally available with an Adaptive Damping System, which enables the driver to choose between 3 modes, ranging from comfort-focused to sporty. The system operates automatically, adapting the damping forces for each wheel according to the driving situation/road conditions.
For extra stopping power, the A35- and CLA 35 4Matic are fitted with 350-mm brake discs with 4-piston Monoblock fixed calipers (silver-painted with AMG lettering) at the front and single-piston sliding calipers at the rear. The discs are internally ventilated and perforated to better dissipate heat and prevent fading.
Mercedes-AMG 35 derivatives are shod with 18-inch AMG alloys as standard, while 19-inch items are optional.
To ensure that the baby AMGs sound the part, their exhaust system features an automatically controlled exhaust flap as standard. Depending on the drive program selected, the exhaust note is modulated from balanced to powerful.
For those who’re keen to develop their driving skills at the wheel of their Mercedes-AMG, the AMG Track Pace function is optionally available. The “virtual race engineer” is part of the MBUX multimedia system and records more than 80 vehicle-specific data points while driving on a race track – lap and sector times are displayed, as well as the respective difference for a reference time. That way, the driver can use the recorded data to analyse and improve their driving skills.
If buyers specify the Widescreen Cockpit, the CLA35 4Matic's fascia positively pops with the AMG-specific displays.
The MBUX Augmented Reality function also allows the ideal line of a stored race track to be displayed on the multimedia display or optional head-up display, allowing the driver to improve lap times with a virtual instructor on board.
The A35 4Matic hatchback and sedan, as well as the CLA 35 4Matic, are sold with a 2-year/unlimited km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
