New 2019 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 unleashed with 302bhp

This is the new Mercedes-AMG CLA 35. Arriving as the hottest version of the new second-generation CLA small coupe-saloon, it joins the firm’s newly-casted range of entry-level 35 badged AMG performance models.

It’s the third car to be announced for the new 35 line-up, alongside the new A 35 hatchback and saloon. Power-wise, the new models are designed to take on the likes of the Volkswagen Golf R and Honda Civic Type R.

• New Mercedes-AMG A 35 hatchback review 

Like the rest of Mercedes’ AMG 35 range, the hot CLA will use a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine, a reworked interior and a handful of sporty design touches inside and out. It will reach the UK market in August this year.

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Rather unsurprisingly, the new AMG CLA 35 is powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as the AMG A 35 hatch, producing 302bhp and 400Nm of torque. It feeds its power through an identical seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and all-wheel-drive system, enabling what Mercedes claims is a 0–62mph sprint of 4.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. 

Inside, buyers get Mercedes’ dash-spanning MBUX infotainment system, a flat-bottomed multifunction AMG steering wheel, a pair of leather-and-microfibre-trimmed sports seats, red seat belts, and a customisable ambient lighting setup with 64 colour options. Voice activation also comes as standard, along with a 360-degree camera.

Exterior revisions over the standard CLA include a set of larger disc brakes, 18-inch twin-spoke alloy wheels, AMG Line bumpers, larger side skirts, a more aggressive rear diffuser, a valved performance exhaust system and a lip spoiler for the boot lid. Buyers can also specify optional 19-inch alloy wheels and automatic adaptive dampers.

A further option for the CLA 35 is the AMG Track Pace data logger. The system is integrated into the car’s MBUX infotainment system and records 80 vehicle-specific data points, (such as speed, acceleration and lap-times), when driving on a race track. Once stopped, the driver can then consult the data to find areas for improvement.

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The new AMG CLA 35 comes with five customisable drive programs, which Mercedes claims enables a wide range of vehicle characteristics, ranging from comfortable cruising to aggressive track-thrashing. The firm’s recently added ‘Slippery’ setting also claims to improve stability on wet and icy surfaces.

UK-specific prices for the new AMG CLA 35 are yet to be announced, but we expect they’ll closely follow the car’s official launch at the 2019 New York Motor Show. Like the rest of the AMG 35 range, we anticipate prices to rise by around £4,000 over the range-topping standard model, taking the AMG CLA 35 to roughly £38,000. 

Now read our triple test of the Mercedes-AMG A 35, the Honda Civic Type-R and the Volkswagen Golf R…