Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, during its first ever digital premiere early this month, introduced its latest Mercedes-AMG compact cars – the hot hatch Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC, A 45 4MATIC+, and as the first model debut, the CLA 45 4MATIC+. Together the trio lead the market segment in terms of performance and driving excitement.
(L-R) Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s Michael Jopp (VP, Sales & Marketing) and Dr Claus Weidner (President & CEO) with the aggressively-bred trio of the Mercedes-AMG compact cars
“With the new generation Mercedes-AMG cars, we are redefining the standards of sports, performance and luxury in Malaysia by combining a different level of mobility and innovation. These three are aggressively bred for both, the road and racetrack,” says Dr Claus Weidner, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.
According to Michael Jopp, vice president of sales and marketing, passenger cars, the AMG models have been completely redesigned, all with one goal – “to raise vehicle dynamics and the sporty driving experience to a level previously unimaginable in the compact class”.
MERCEDES-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ AND CLA 45 S 4MATIC+
The new Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ and CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ are even more distinctive than their predecessors, boasting outstanding performance, ultimate driving dynamics and expressive design while setting numerous new and pre-eminent standards.
With an output of up to 310kW (421hp), the newly developed 2.0-litre engine is the world’s most powerful turbocharged four-cylinder manufactured for series production. Mercedes-AMG has bettered the output of the preceding engine by 30kW (40hp), and maximum torque increased from 475Nm to up to 500Nm. The sportscars complete the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in record time: the A 45 S 4MATIC+ requires only 3.9 seconds, while the CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ does it in 4.0 seconds. Both capable of speeds up to 270km/h.
M 139 Engine
The noticeable change of the M 139 engine is the reversed mounting position of the engine whereby the exhaust manifold and turbocharger are now located at the rear whereas, the intake system is now at the front. The modified position allows for a flat, more aerodynamic front design while concurrently optimising the air flow in the engine compartment, making the M 139 a true high-performance engine.
AMG Performance 4MATIC+ All-Wheel Drive with AMG Torque Control
The extremely dynamic driving experience in a completely new dimension is greatly assisted by the fully variable all-wheel drive. The secret is AMG Torque Control in the new rear axle differential – comprising two electronically controlled multidisc clutches, each of which is connected to a rear axle drive shaft. This way the drive power can be completely variably distributed between the front and rear wheels and also selectively between the left and right rear wheel. This means that depending on the driving mode and situation, the drive torque can be separately distributed to both rear wheels, resulting in consistently optimum traction, even in adverse road conditions and during extreme cornering manoeuvres.
Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC Edition 1
Paired with the 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo engine, the new Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC produces 306hp output and 400Nm of torque. The AMG Speedshift DCT 7G transmission enables acceleration from 0-100 km/h in an impressive 4.7 seconds. Equipped with the AMG Performance 4MATIC variable all-wheel drive, the car provides the ideal combination of superb grip and even greater driving pleasure.
Distinguishing features at the front are 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; on the side, the aerodynamically optimised 19-inch AMG multi-spoke wheels. The rear view, meanwhile, is dominated by the rear apron with a new diffuser insert, the spoiler lip on the roff and the two round tailpipe trims. It comes fitted with AMG Performance seats, giving a true racecar feel, along with the AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa leather.
Form Follows Function
The motto ‘Form Follows Function’ is applied in these supercars – they feature the AMG-specific radiator grille with a wider lower contour and 12 vertical louvres, a clear indicator of AMG Performance family membership. At the same time, the pronounced ‘shark nose’, the slim, deeply contoured headlamps and the flat, aerodynamically favourable bonnet with powerdomes visually lower the front section to create the impression of extremely dynamic forward thrust. The new Multibeam LED headlamps offer brighter, more natural illumination by night and eye-catching design by day.
The Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC and A 45 S 4MATIC+ come in the limited Edition 1 package. The AMG Aerodynamics package and the AMG Night package underline the proximity to motor racing. Agility and performance are also symbolised by the paint finish in Sun Yellow with highlighting decal graphics in the contrasting colour Designo Mountain Grey Magno. Both variants of the Edition 1 are suitably shod with 19-inch 5-twin-spoke aero-wheels, with decorative wheel caps in a central-locking look. The louvres in the radiator grille of the Edition 1 are retained in Silver Chrome.
The Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC Edition 1 is available in metallic Denim Blue with decals in matte Tech Gold on the exterior mirror caps and in the lower part of the doors, paired with the exclusive 19-inch AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels painted in matte Tech Gold.
Other features in all models include virtual race engineer AMG Track Pace (which is part of the MBUX infotainment system, and when negotiating a race circuit it continuously monitors more than 80 vehicle-specific data such as speed and acceleration) and Mercedes me connect, which gives the driver total control over the vehicle, housing all remote access services from remote start to vehicle tracker.
*Text and images courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
