Mercedes-AMG A 35 Vs Honda Civic Type R Vs Volkswagen Golf R
The arrival of a brand-new Mercedes A-Class last year meant hot hatch fans around the world have been eagerly awaiting a new range-topping performance variant. Something they might not have expected was that the company鈥檚 AMG division was actually working on two new models: a range-topping replacement for the old A 45 (that鈥檚 coming later this year) and this, the new A 35 AMG. This entry-level rung on the AMG ladder is designed to rival the Volkswagen Golf R at a more affordable price point than its bigger brother. It follows a similar formula to its VW competitor, with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine powering all four wheels through a dual-clutch transmission. But at this price, this most affordable AMG model also has to face another rival: our current favourite hot hatchback, the Honda Civic Type R. This delivers thrills like little else on the road. However, even though it has the most power, the Japanese car does without a four-wheel-drive system like its test rivals. Not that this has hobbled the Honda in the past, because it has seen off the challenge of the likes of the all-wheel-drive Ford Focus RS.
The AMG A 35 has a tough task to take on these two titans of the hot hatch world, then. We know a great car in this class has to tick many boxes, but is the new Mercedes talented enough to walk away with the win? The Mercedes-AMG A 35 currently sits at the top of the A-Class range. It鈥檚 the most expensive model of our group, at 拢35,580, although our test car was laden with expensive options, including the 拢2,595 style pack that adds the large rear wing. That spoiler, 19-inch alloys and aerodynamic trim on the bumpers are all part of the styling pack, because the standard A 35 looks much like a lesser AMG Line version. But AMG has applied plenty of tweaks beneath the skin to sharpen up the A-Class鈥檚 responses and make the most of its 302bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. There are MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link set-up at the rear, while the brand has tweaked the suspension extensively and combined it with a 4MATIC four-wheel-drive system.
Power is sent to the wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, just as it is in the Golf R - and with similar power outputs, the German rivals have a similar approach. The Honda is a contrast, with its manual transmission and front-wheel-drive layout. A highlight of the new A-Class range is the interior, and it鈥檚 the same story with the A 35. The quality is excellent and the cabin is the classiest of these three hot hatches. While the Golf isn鈥檛 far behind the AMG, the Honda trails its competitors in this respect. Mercedes鈥?standard MBUX infotainment system features two seven-inch display screens, with one of them replacing traditional dials behind the steering wheel, although our test car had two 10.25-inch units fitted as part of its 拢8,380 of optional extras. The larger screens are great, though, adding a hi-tech feel. Standard equipment on the Mercedes includes 18-inch alloy wheels, AMG styling, selectable driving modes, Artico man-made leather sports seats, LED headlights, climate control and satellite navigation.
The A 35 is actually the least powerful model of our test trio. There鈥檚 only a few bhp in it, and 302bhp is not to be sniffed at, while all three cars have the same maximum 400Nm of torque. However, the AMG is the heaviest model here, at 1,555kg, which is pretty chunky for a hot hatch of this size - it鈥檚 a whopping 175kg heavier than the Civic Type R, and 72kg more than the Golf. All three cars recorded a 30-50mph time of 2.2 seconds in third gear, which shows how well matched they are for performance once they鈥檙e rolling. However, while it鈥檚 linear and also pretty refined, the A 35鈥檚 engine feels a bit flat. It鈥檚 a similar story in the Volkswagen, though, and while the Honda鈥檚 engine is more visceral, none of these 2.0-litre units sounds particularly exciting. The Mercedes鈥?steering is similar to the Golf鈥檚, too, in that it鈥檚 precise but feels a bit disconnected; although it鈥檚 a nicer weight and does feel less resistive to your inputs, especially under power.
Traction is brilliant as well, with the four-wheel drive shuffling power around effectively. Cornering grip is also plentiful, while our car鈥檚 winter tyres could explain a slight lack of steering precision compared with its rivals. The A 35 is also reasonably comfortable on a motorway and deals with smaller bumps pretty well at higher speeds. Yet as your speed drops so does the level of comfort, and around town the Mercedes feels firm. Adaptive dampers are a 拢695 option, but weren鈥檛 fitted to our car; they cost 拢850 on the VW and are included as standard on the Honda. The A 35 retains the A-Class鈥檚 acceptable 370 litres of boot space, which means it鈥檚 more spacious than the Golf R鈥檚 343 litres, which is reduced compared with a standard Golf due to the car鈥檚 four-wheel-drive system. Both capacities are smaller than the Civic鈥檚 420-litre volume, though. Compared with its predecessor, this A-Class is much better packaged, so there鈥檚 more space in the rear.
