A whole new world of Mercedes-AMG has been launched with the target fixed on attracting new, younger buyers to either hatch or sedan styling for AMG 35 and AMG 45 variants.

Because the development of the A 35 4MATIC was integrated into the development process of the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class from the start, it was developed at the same time as the A 45 S 4MATIC+, making it possible to inject the AMG DNA into every relevant detail.

“The demand for our compact models has developed dynamically in recent years. This success has encouraged us to further expand our portfolio and place it on a broader footing. With the new Mercedes-AMG 35 4MATIC range, we are fulfilling our brand promise of driving performance in every detail and offering thrilling lateral dynamics that serves as a point of entry into the world of AMG and also appeals to new customer groups,” says Johannes Fritz, Co-CEO Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Executive Director for Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa.

The newcomers are powered by a 2,0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine that generates 225 kW, driving through the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7G dual-clutch transmission and kitted with AMG suspension and the variable AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive. This results in a 0- 100 km/h sprint time of just 4,7 seconds for the hatch, 4,8 seconds for the sedan, and 4,9 seconds for the CLA 35. 

The A 45 S 4MATIC+ Hatch and CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ get the newly developed 2,0-litre engine that reaches a peak of up 310 kW and 500 Nm in each AMG S model. This results in a 0-100 km/h sprint time of just 3,9 seconds for the A45 S 4MATIC+ Hatch and 4,0 seconds for the CLA 45 S 4MATIC+.

“With its design and driving dynamics, the new Mercedes-AMG 35 4MATIC range is an extremely attractive offer for a young, active and lifestyle conscious target group. These customers define their requirements very clearly: They expect exciting design from their vehicle alongside superior performance and inspiring handling characteristics. The new Mercedes-AMG 35 4MATIC range embodies just this attitude to life – and enables stepping into the fascinating world of AMG Driving Performance in a particularly emotional way,” says Selvin Govender, Marketing Director for Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa.

The design of the new range draws unmistakable influences from motor racing, adding characteristic AMG elements to the design idiom of the A-Class. The radiator grille with twin louvres, the AMG Line front apron with flics on the air intakes, a front splitter and silver chrome trims on the louvres in the outer air intakes are distinguishing features at the front.

The interior of the Mercedes-AMG 35 4MATIC range features a combination of sporty design and sophisticated details, including the MBUX multimedia system. MBUX replaces the previous COMAND systems and creates an even closer connection between the vehicle, driver and passengers.

The customer can choose between three AMG display styles for the optional fully digital 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.

The five AMG DYNAMIC SELECT driving programs – Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport + and Individual enable a wide range of vehicle characteristics from comfortable to dynamic. They change relevant parameters, such as the response of the engine and transmission.

Suspension is taken care of by one wishbone below the wheel centre, one spring strut and one tie rod respectively. The special axle geometry reduces the influence of the drive on the steering for high comfort and agile handling. The optional Adaptive Damping System enables the driver to choose between three different suspension control modes, ranging from comfort-focused to sporty. The system operates automatically, adapting the damping forces for each wheel according to the driving situation and road conditions.

The high-performance braking system ensures fade-resistant deceleration and short braking distances, with 4-piston Monoblock fixed callipers and 350 millimetre brake discs up front, and 1-piston sliding callipers and 330 millimetre brake discs at the rear. The discs are internally ventilated and perforated to better dissipate heat and prevent brake fading, even with extreme use.

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.

Technical data at a glance

	Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC Hatch	Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC Sedan	Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4MATIC
Engine	2.0-litre 4-cylinder in-line with exhaust gas turbocharger	2.0-litre 4-cylinder in-line with exhaust gas turbocharger	2.0-litre 4-cylinder in-line with twin scroll exhaust gas turbocharger
Displacement	1991 cc	1991 cc	1991 cc
Max. output	225 kW at 5800-6100 rpm	225 kW at 5800 rpm	225 kW at 5800 rpm
Peak torque	400 Nm at 3000-4000 rpm	400 Nm at 3000-4000 rpm	400 Nm at 3000-4000 rpm
Drive system	AMG Performance 4MATIC fully variable all-wheel drive	AMG Performance 4MATIC variable all-wheel drive	AMG Performance 4MATIC fully variable all-wheel drive
Transmission	AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7G dual-clutch transmission	AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7G dualclutch transmission	AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7G dualclutch transmission
Combined fuel consumption	7.4-7.3 l/100 km*	7.3-7.2 l/100 km*	7.3-7.2 l/100 km*
Combined CO2 emissions	169-167 g/km*	167-164 g/km*	167-164 g/km*
Acceleration 0-100 km/h	4.7 s	4.8 s	4.9 s
Top speed	250 km/h**	250 km/h**	250 km/h**
Retail price	R841 000	R850 000	R948 000

A 45 S 4MATIC+ Hatch and CLA 45 S 4MATIC+

“South Africans love the AMG brand: in fact, it’s the third biggest market in the world. With the presentation of this, our most powerful and most dynamic compact sports car, we are also reinforcing the significance of this segment for our growth strategy,” says Govender.

The Mecedes-AMG 45 S range visual cues include an AMG-specific radiator grille, wider front wings with flared wheel arches to create space for the wider front axle, and a front apron featuring a ‘jet-wing’ design.

Wider AMG side skirts visually lower  it, while the rear view is characterised by two pairs of round 90 mm-diameter tailpipes with internal fluting and AMG lettering.

The S-models come standard with 19-inch light alloy wheels in a 5-twin-spoke design – with a width of 8,5 inches for the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ and 9 inches for the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S 4MATIC+. The aluminium rims are shod with tyres in size 245/35 R 19 and 255/35 R 19 (CLA 45 S) respectively.

The AMG developers extensively reinforced the bodyshell and changed the track and camber. A lightweight aluminium plate bolted underneath the engine – the ‘shearing plate’ – increases the torsional rigidity at the vehicle’s front end. Diagonal struts at the front and rear of the underbody further improve rigidity.

The standard transmission is an eight-speed DCT. The standard RACE-START function allows maximum acceleration from stationary. Anyone who prefers to change gear for themselves can select the manual transmission mode in every drive program.

All-wheel drive is included as standard, with AMG TORQUE CONTROL in the new rear axle differential: This has two electronically controlled multidisc clutches, each of which is connected to a rear axle drive shaft. In this way the drive power can not only be completely variably distributed between the front and rear wheels, but also selectively between the left and right rear wheel.

The result is consistently optimum traction, even in adverse road conditions and during extreme cornering manoeuvres, for example on the racetrack. Furthermore, this solution allows Drift mode, as a standard, included in the optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package, which makes ‘powersliding’ possible.

Drivers can choose from six AMG DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes: Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport +, Individual and RACE as a standard. This allows a wide spread of vehicle characteristics, from comfortable to dynamic.

The new AMG suspension with specific spring elements and the new, frequency-selective shock absorbers provides the basis for high directional stability and highly dynamic cornering characteristics with low body roll.

The high-performance braking system ensures fade-resistant deceleration and short braking distances. In the basic models, the 4-piston monobloc fixed front callipers act on 350 x 34 millimetre brake discs, while at the rear axle, 1-piston floating callipers act on 330 x 22 millimetre brake discs. The discs are internally ventilated and perforated to better dissipate heat and prevent brake fading, even with extreme use.

For those who fancy themselves on the race track, AMG TRACK PACE, the virtual race engineer, is standard equipment for the S-models. When negotiating a race circuit, it continuously monitors more than 80 vehicle specific data points, including lap and sector times. After putting in some fast laps, the driver can use the data to analyse and, if necessary, improve their driving skills.

Technical data at a glance 

	Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+	Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S 4MATIC+
Engine	2.0-litre 4 in-line with roller bearing twinscroll turbocharger	2.0-litre 4 in-line with roller bearing twinscroll turbocharger
Displacement	1991 cc	1991 cc
Max. output	310 kW at 6750 rpm	310 kW at 6750 rpm
Peak torque	500 Nm at 5000-5250 rpm	500 Nm at 5000-5250 rpm
Drive system	AMG Performance 4MATIC+ fully variable all-wheel drive with AMG TORQUE CONTROL	AMG Performance 4MATIC+ fully variable all-wheel drive with AMG TORQUE CONTROL
Transmission	AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8G dualclutch transmission	AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8G dualclutch transmission
Combined fuel consumption	8.4-8.3 l/100 km*	8.3-8.1 l/100 km*
Combined CO2 emissions	192-189 g/km*	189-186 g/km*
Acceleration 0-100 km/h	3.9 s	4.0 s
Top speed	270 km/h***	270 km/h***
Retail price	R1 101 000	R1 211 000