Model Mercedes-AMG A35
Engine 1991cc 4cyl, dohc, 16v, turbo
Max power 225kW @ 5800rpm
Max torque 400Nm @ 3000-4000rpm
Transmission 7-speed dual-clutch
Kerb weight: 1480kg
0-100km/h 4.7sec (claimed)
Economy 13.1L/100km (tested)
Price $68,000 (estimated)
On sale SeptemberSPECS
70 whichcar.com.au/wheels
Splugenturnsouttobea disappointment. It’s freezing,
withdeepsnowbanksoneitherside of the road and black
icelurkingintheshadows.It’snarrow too, and unlike the
Julier,whichscythesfromhairpin to hairpin beautifully, the
Splugen’sapexesaresoacuteand close together that it’s
moreaboutsurvivalthanfun.I’m suddenly grateful for the
A35’sunwaveringpurchase,butas we pull into our hotel, I
can’tshakethefeelingthatthecar has more to give. It’s a
beguilingthing,thisA35,witha degree of subtlety I’m not
usedtofromAMG.I’mconvincedit haslayerslefttopeelback.DAYTWOdawnsbright,crispandclear.We’veluckedinwith
theweather.Snowstilllinestheroadside,butthesunis warm
andtheskydevoidofanyclouds. We achieved more yesterday
thanexpected,sotodaywegeta bonus Pass. After much
debateanda fewbeersatdinner the evening before, we’d
settledontheBernina,withits2328m summit the highest yet.
Andtogettherewehavetogoback over the Julier Pass. Nice.
Secondtimearound,theJulier still manages to surprise.
Goingupwasmorefunthancoming down, though the AMG
seemstorelishournewtrajectory. Dive-bomb in too hot and
thefrontwillstarttopush,butif you moderate your entry
slightlyit’ssohunkereddownand neutral that you can flatten
thethrottlebeforetheapexandjust let the car manage the
traction.It’sa wickedpoint-to-point machine and the engine’s
plentyplucky,too.BasedontheM260 2.0-litre turbo four,
AMG’schangesincludea newtwin-scroll turbo to lift outputs
to225kW/400Nm.There’splentyof mid-range shove (at 4.7
secs0-100km/h,it’sonly0.5sslower than the old A45), but
it’snevermusicalortrulyengaging.
It’sonly 30 minutestoBerninaand this section of themountain range instantly feels more Alpine. An enormous
gondola slowly transports snowboarders up the mountain and
the road is punctuated by poles to measure snow depth every
15 metres or so. The climb to the summit is fairly mundane,
though we aren’t the only ones here keen for a drive. Halfway
up we spot a Porsche Taycan test mule, its quarter panels
covered in tape with fake exhausts stuck to its rump. It sits
alone in a deserted car park and the reception, when we pile
out to say hello, is frosty. Mentioning I’m from Wheels is a
grave error and before I can say another word, the windows
are up and the Taycan rockets away at speed.
Lurking on the far side of the pass is the highlight of our
adventure. Wide and nicely cambered, the Bernina combines
all of the goodness of the Julier but adds faster, open sections
that allow the A35 to tear through its first four gears. It’s also
deserted. And twice as long.
The A35 and I have also come to an understanding. I realise
I’ve been over-driving it in an attempt to get it onto its tippy-
toes. Instead, it’s better to let it settle into its own rhythm and
revel in the tenacious grip, rather than try to breach it.
Accept this and the A35 is an extraordinarily accomplished
hatch. But now that the A45 has been revealed, is there room
or reason for it exist? Blasting along the autobahn at 180km/h
on the way back to Stuttgart provides time to reflect.
Even at this speed the A35 is solid and comfortable, its
cabin infused with enough screens to appease even the
fussiest of millennials. Of the past 32 hours, I’ve spent 24 of
them wedged into its heavily bolstered driver’s seat yet my
back feels fine. Nor am I overly fatigued, or feel as though
I’ve been shaken to death by overly firm suspension. Good
luck trying that in the A45. So yes, it has a personality all of
its own, just like each of the passes we’ve driven. It really
is petrol-head heaven, this part of the world. The kind of
playground seemingly purpose built to facilitate the thrill
of driving. Even if there’s no longer a doozy of a pub
waiting at the end of it.02
7 HOURS,3 COUNTRIES, 340KM
PASSESDRIVEN: JULIER,
BERNINADAY
FEATURE /
AMG A35 vs
THE ALPS