THE market fascination with fast cars has spawned a good selection of vehicles in various guises and power options to whet the "hotrod" appetite.
We already started the year with a heady drive in the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S 4Matic+ and that was as close to an on-road race car as you would get.
Nine months later, we are back in another Mercedes-AMG GLA variant but it is the GLA 35 4Matic this time, which was launched two weeks earlier than the GLA 45 last year.
As the forerunner to the GLA 45, the GLA 35 gave AMG enthusiasts an idea of what was to come in the more powerful variant.
The Mercedes-AMG GLA is a compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) that is clearly targeted at younger customers who are more likely to revel in the surge of turbo power than putter along in commuter traffic.
While it might share the same engine base as the GLA 45 in the four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, the GLA 35 has lower turbo tune and boost pressure.
Not surprising that means less horses at 306hp (225kW) against the GLA 45’s 421hp (309kW).
Torque was also less at 400Nm versus the GLA 45's 500Nm.
It is also a mild hybrid with an additional 48-volt on-board power supply that delivers 10kW (13.6hp) and a belt-driven starter generator.
Likewise, engine output is delivered to all four wheels via an eight-speed AMG Speedshift DCT (dual clutch transmission) and AMG Performance 4Matic all-wheel drive system.
With fewer horse on the reins, the GLA 35 is about a second slower than the GLA 45 in sprinting from 0 to 100kph at 5.2 seconds compared with the GLA 45's 4.3 seconds.
It also has a lower top speed of 250kph against the GLA 45’s 270kph although this is purely
academic unless you ready to amass many speeding tickets.
This difference in performance is not noticeable when we took off in the GLA 35 as it remained as spritely in acceleration as the GLA 45.
What gives the GLA 35 a more likeable driving character is that you could putter along in stop-go crawl traffic without that jerky feeling.
But when the traffic opened up and we hit the accelerator, we were immediately in deja vu land in trying to catch the wind.
We enjoyed driving the GLA 35 as much as we did the GLA 45 eight months earlier for its quick and
strong burst of turbo power that was great when overtaking or just leaving everyone standing
still at the traffic lights.
Getting inside the GLA 35, the dashboard is a familiar one with the combined 10.25-inch screens.
What gives the GLA 35 a less punchy interior are the more ordinary front seats in Artico leather although red stitching is retained for a sporty touch.
We did miss the HUD (head-up display) that was a standard item in the GLA 45 and there was also no panoramic sunroof.
We could select the suspension system via the right button in the lower half of the steering wheel; this is the AMG Dynamic Select drive programmes and AMG Ride Control for Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual.
Unless we were on the highway and taking to our favourite winding route, we chose Comfort as most of our drive weekend was in the urban centre.
And having to drive over less than satisfactory road conditions that saw numerous bumps, potholes, speedbumps and rumble strips, we would rather be comfortable than charged up.
Unlike the GLA 45, the GLA 35 comes with one-size smaller 20-inch AMG twin-spoke alloy wheels that were fitted with 255/40 R20 Continental SportContact 6 tyres.
The standard tyre monitoring system would come on when the pressures all round wasn’t even as one of the tyre pressures was slightly under.
Like most SUVs, the tyre pressure is on the high side at above 230kPa, going up to 250kPa when warm, so it was best to drive over not-so-good roads at sober speeds.
Otherwise, it could be a rather jolting ride for passengers, even the front one, an experience that was similar to that in the GLA 45.
The firmness of the ride and its stiffer damping quality was fully enjoyed on the brief highway drives and the few forays through some of our favourite corners.
We could hardly feel the speed as we tore along on the highway and the GLA 35 barely lean when we took our favourite corners at good speed.
It is almost as good as active and passive safety systems go; we had a similar experience with one of them in both the GLA 35 and GLA 45.
This was the Active Brake Assist that had the seatbelts tightening up and the brakes being activated when we were a bit close to the vehicle in front due to our exuberant driving.
Nevertheless, this GLA 35 had plenty to offer the young speedheads with its very good turn of speed and a sound dynamic quality to match.
Being a lower-spec model against the GLA 45, it comes at a far more attractive price too; at RM363,888, it’s almost RM180,000 cheaper.
For a compact SUV that provides just as much fun in performance and drive quality, the GLA 35 is a more practical choice unless you want to stoke your ego with the GLA 45.
SPECIFICATIONS
Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 4Matic
Engine: 1,991cc, four-cylinder, turbocharged
Maximum power: 306hp/225kW at 6,100rpm
Maximum torque: 400Nm from 2,500 to 4,000rpm
Electric motor: 10kW (13.6hp)
Transmission: AMG Speedshift DCT 8G
Acceleration (0-100kph): 5.2 seconds
Top speed: 250kph
Features: AMG-specific grille, new signature Multibeam LED headlamps and rear lamps, AMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa leather, AMG steering wheel buttons, AMG crest on bonnet, AMG Ride Control, AMG Dynamic Select, MBUX infotainment system, MBUX Augmented Reality Navigation, Burmester 12-speaker surround sound system, sports seats with red stitching, Manufactur red seat belts
Price: RM363,888 (on the road without insurance
