A high-performance sports car is a dream. This is especially true for ordinary men living in reality. Someday, they hope to have one. But right now, it feels challenging. So, where is the boundary price-wise? Is it 50 million won? 100 million won? 200 million won? Letโs narrow it down further. How about for an AMG? No matter how low you go, isn’t it hard to find one below 100 million won?
The AMG A35 4MATIC sedan is our star today. Priced at 66.5 million won, it’s at the lower end of AMG offerings. There is no cheaper option under the true AMG category, distinct from the AMG line. The AMG brand, which once felt distant, is now within reach. This dream could very well become a reality. Perhaps itโs time to check your bank balance?
Of course, it’s a small car. It measures just 4,570mm in length. The width is 1,800mm, with a wheelbase of 2,730mm, resulting in short front and rear overhangs. At 1,415mm in height, it gives the driver a sense of being very close to the ground when getting in and out of the vehicle.
The vehicle comes with AMG-specific grille and front and rear aprons, and the AMG emblem is located prominently on the bonnet where the iconic three-pointed star typically resides. This clearly showcases AMG’s identity. Notably, the official name doesn’t even mention Benz, emphasizing AMG’s pride.
It features a 2.0-liter inline-4 turbocharged gasoline engine combined with a 48V mild hybrid system and a 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. With a peak output of 306 horsepower, it effectively produces 153 horsepower per liter. This small engine offers impressive power, with a maximum torque of 40.8 kgm. Equally important is the weight of the vehicle; weighing just 1,625 kg means each horsepower has to pull about 5.3 kg.
The manufacturer claims a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.8 seconds. Using a GPS device, the fastest recorded acceleration from 0-100 km/h was 5.27 seconds. The sound produced is delightful, providing a rich auditory experience that perfectly complements the 306 horsepower. The precise shifting response, particularly when reaching the red zone and executing a shift-up, demonstrates the car’s sporty character well.
The car also features a โRace Startโ function, similar to a launch control. In Sport or Sport Plus mode, you can press the brake and accelerator pedals simultaneously to achieve quick starts when releasing the brake.
The 8-speed DCT gear ratios enter overdrive from the 5th gear, with the 6th and 7th gear ratios reversed. The 5th gear ratio is 0.951, dropping to 0.744 in the 6th gear, then rising to 0.854 in the 7th gear, and finally dropping to 0.674 in the 8th gear. With dual-clutch technology, understanding the reversal of the 6th and 7th gear ratios is made clearer when considering the two final reduction ratios: 3.93:1 and 2.68:1.
Under the steering wheel, there are two wheel buttons โ the right one selects the driving mode, while the left intuitively controls AMG-specific features. The steering wheel is already cluttered with various adjustment buttons, but these two wheel buttons add more functions. With so much going on, your fingers are busy maneuvering them without having to take your hands off the wheel.
When the temperature drops below 5 degrees Celsius, the windshield washer fluid is heated before being sprayed. This helps clear the windshield and prevent freezing. The thought of warm washer fluid is comforting, and just reading the manual about this feature can bring warmth in itself.
Thanks to the mild hybrid system, the engine often shuts down and restarts smoothly. When slowing to a stop, the engine can turn off before coming to a complete halt. This system allows for impressive fuel efficiency, exceeding 10 km per liter, even in a performance sports car. It also contributes to performance by adding up to 10 kW of energy during acceleration.
During a test drive between Paju and Seoul over a predetermined distance of 55 km, the observed real-world fuel efficiency was 12.5 km/L. Considering the heavy traffic that caused a duration of 1 hour and 48 minutes for the trip, this fuel efficiency is impressive. The fact that it surpassed the official combined fuel rating, even in such adverse conditions, is quite significant. The AMG has proven that higher efficiency is attainable with economically conscious driving.
The suspension is quite firm. Road impacts are conveyed sharply through the rigid suspension, making the ride feel like getting hit by a punch wearing a hard glove.
Reflecting again on the carโs price, 66.5 million won, it may seem expensive for a small car. However, for those who first notice the AMG badge, it might not seem unreasonable. Surely, there will be some who check their bank balance with a smile at such a price pointโIโll bet 500 won on that.
Oh Jong-hoon speaks directly
The driving assistance system is disappointing. Itโs not equipped with adaptive cruise control. It simply uses standard cruise control at a set speed. While there is lane departure warning, it often lets the car drift across lanes without assistance, merely changing the indicator light from green to red to signal a warning.
This raises the issue of โcompromiseโ typically faced by small cars from high-performance brands. Where should we set the balance between price, performance, and convenience? I wonder if the A35 has made too many concessions.
oh.jonghoon@autodiary.kr