Brabus B35-S | PH Auction Block
A Mercedes-AMG A-Class is good - but a Brabus is better
With time running out for the wild Mercedes-AMG M139 engine, there’s not long left for the incredible A45 hatchback that it powers. It’ll be a real shame when production of that car comes to an end, because it really offers up a hot hatch experience like no other. Indeed, the whole idea of a bona fide AMG A-Class seems so logical these days that it’s a wonder it didn’t happen before 2013 (we’ll politely exclude the A210 Evolution): combine the practicality, usability and relative affordability of a hatchback with something extraordinary from the Affalterbach engine department, and there’s a hot hatch hero on your hands.
Such was the success of the first A45 AMG, in fact, that when it came to a new A-Class, a two-pronged approach was favoured. There would be the full-fat ‘45, complete with more than 200hp per litre, a dual-clutch and Drift Mode, but also an A35 AMG for the first time. It would rival cars like the Golf R, M135i and Audi S3 with damn near identical specifications and remit. If you wanted fast and fuss-free with a sprinkle of the AMG fairy dust, the A35 was absolutely spot on.
On the face of it, this example is little more than a nicely presented, early A35 from 2019. It benefits from the upgrade of an A45 bodykit on wheels, which transforms a slightly apologetic-looking hot hatch into something much more purposeful. But the desirable modifications don’t stop there, because there’s a big ‘B’ on the boot. And that means this isn’t just an AMG A-Class - it’s a Brabus A-Class.
And while B35-S spec doesn’t mean a gazillion horsepower or snakeskin upholstery or whatever else Brabus offers up these days, it does mean a useful uptick in performance. Thanks to the PowerXtra ‘auxiliary control module’ and sports exhaust, this A-Class is 59hp and 44lb stronger than standard, at 365hp and 339lb ft; just 30lb ft off an A45 S means 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds, a third of a second faster than stock.
Plus, because this is a Brabus product - and not just a third-party ECU tune - there’s a certificate of authenticity to accompany this B35, and the reassurance that comes from the work being undertaken by the most famous Mercedes modifiers of all. An invoice for almost £4,000 from Mercedes-Benz Guildford for fitting the B35 kit is nice to see as well. There are plenty of Benz bills in fact, with an extensive main dealer service history to accompany this A-Class, four Michelin tyres and a fault-free MOT to its name. Moreover, it's currently with our new concierge partner, Henry's Car Barn. So it's had the five-star treatment all round.
Additionally, this one benefits from an Eventuri carbon intake system, said to add a little more power (and hopefully lots of silly air slurping noises), plus a mileage tally of 55,000 and, well, the yellow. It really is a great paint for the A-Classes, Sun Yellow, and never more so than when kitted out with all the AMG aero goodies. Nice to see a Brabus that isn’t black, too. And even by the standards of Bottrop ‘bahnstormers, this B35 is a rare one, with only one other believed to exist in the country. Which is cool. Told you it wasn’t just another AMG A-Class…
You speak the truth.
You speak the truth.
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