IT’S no secret that Mercedes-Benz and their performance arm have yet again killed it with the design of the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4MATIC Coupé. The 225kW all-wheel drive performance model screams class and looks incredibly sleek.
Sporting an iconic look thanks to the massive Mercedes-Benz logo that fronts the grille, the CLA 35 rides on multi-spoke 19-inch rims in Titanium Grey, complemented by AMG brake callipers and slotted discs.
The multi beam LED headlights further enhance the aggressive sporty look too. Power comes from an impressive 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that will crack the 100km/h mark in just 4.9 seconds.
Paired to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, the marriage of engine and gearbox is beautiful, delivering power seamlessly across the rev range. It offers up 400Nm of torque, with fuel consumption sitting at 7.5-litres/100km. The fuel tank has a 51-litre capacity.
Inside the car, the first thing that will blow you away is the touchscreen infotainment system’s integration with the instrument cluster, with the two working side-by-side in what feels like a seamless technology experience.
Everything is completely customisable, including being able to create different driver profiles. It’s loaded with DAB+ digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation and the like, as well as an array of ambient lighting features.
You can even light up the inside of the cup holders. But all this customisation doesn’t extent to seat colours, with just red and black, or titanium grey and black Lugano leather available. An AMG High Performance seating package is available though.
Wireless phone charging is also standard, with what has to be one of the strongest chargers we’ve ever come across. It’s the first vehicle to charge our phone through its thick heavy duty case.
There are three USB-C outlets in the front, along with another two in the back seats as well. And while we’re on the subject of rear seating, it’s not really that friendly. Tall adults will seriously struggle with the Coupe’s rear head room and leg room is average too.
Throw a rear facing baby seat back there and you’re also putting serious pressure on your front seat passenger, because the seat will have to come forward to accommodate it. That counts out tall passengers up front in that scenario too.
One thing we were impressed by though is the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice command system. Think of it as Siri for your car. It will do everything from turn up the heat when you tell it your cold, to finding and playing your favourite radio station.
We even used it to call the team at Mercedes-Benz Sydney to confirm we actually had to give the car back. The only downfall is that if you wax lyrical to your passengers about the goodness of your car, it will interrupt your conversation when you say Mercedes.
The AMG flat bottom steering wheel features an integrated drive mode selector, as well as touch pad style controls for the display screens. As a performance vehicle, that steering wheel also features indents at the top to mark the centre point.
The electric parking brake is automatic, disengaging when you select drive and self activating when you put it in Park. It’s a handy feature that ensures your Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 isn’t going to roll off down the hill if you forget to engage it.
Among a host of what we’d describe as safety features are an SOS distress button, which gives you a direct line to the Mercedes-Benz emergency response team, and seat kinetics, designed to reduce fatigue.
Basically, the car makes micro-adjustments to the seat settings, including lumbar support, bolsters, and the seat base as a way to ensure maximum comfort and stop you feeling tired on long journeys.
Beyond the seats, other safety technology includes autonomous emergency braking, auto high beam, plenty of airbags, driver attention alert, traffic sign recognition and lane keep assist. It also gets blind spot and tyre pressure monitoring.
What’s not standard, and needs to be added through the Driver Assistance Package, is adaptive cruise control, cross-traffic alert and lane change assist. It does come with a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty and 5-years roadside assist though.
The 2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Coupé is available in Denim Blue (as tested), Cosmo Black, Mojave Silver, Digital Silver, Mountain Grey, Night Black, Polar White and Sun Yellow. Our test vehicle was fitted with the Vision Package.
One of the many custom packages available, it adds the panoramic glass sunroof, 360-degree camera and multi-beam LED headlights. It will set you back around $98,000 drive away, but the price can vary drastically depending on the optional packages you choose.
Our test vehicle was provided by Mercedes-Benz Sydney. To find out more about the 2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4MATIC Coupé, contact your local Mercedes-Benz dealer.
