Facelifted Mercedes-AMG A 35 Sedan Brings Its New Face to the Streets

Don't confuse upcoming for next-gen, as this prototype, which was caught testing on public roads in Germany, is part of the mid-cycle refresh. The premium subcompact sports model will bring revised front and rear fascias and a few other tweaks.

Pulling up an image of the current car and comparing it to its successor reveals that the latter has new lighting units up front with different graphics that flank the Panamericana grille with vertical slats. Mercedes has made the side vents smaller and the central intake in the middle of the new bumper shorter. The larger three-pointed star logo still decorates the grille and does not seem to be present above it anymore.

The badging on the front fenders remains under wraps on the pictured tester, and it also has dedicated emblems on the C pillars, hidden beneath black tape. At the rear, it features new taillights and a slightly different diffuser that has cutouts for the two round exhaust pipes, one on each side. We can see fresh add-ons on the rear bumper and a bigger spoiler attached to the trunk lid. Chances are the badging will also be revised here, but that's our two cents and should be taken with a pinch of salt.

On the inside, the dashboard of this Mercedes-AMG A 35 Sedan was partially under wraps, though it should retain the dual displays, which will probably get new software. The steering wheel could be replaced, and elsewhere, the automaker could revise the center console. Mind you, don't expect anything dramatic, as this is still a mid-cycle refresh of an existing model, and the more noticeable updates are reserved for new generations. The revised safety systems could round things up.

The current AMG A 35 Sedan 4Matic uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It produces 302 hp (306 ps/225 kW) at 5,800 rpm and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque from 3,000 to 4,000 rpm. According to the Stuttgart marque, it needs 4.8 seconds to push to 62 mph (100 kph), one-tenth slower than its hot hatch sibling, the A 35 4Matic, and tops out at an identical 155 mph (250 kph).

In all likelihood, the facelifted one will be just as punchy, as we don't expect Mercedes to revise the oily bits. Nevertheless, we could be mistaken, and they might have a small power boost in store to differentiate it from its predecessor further, though we wouldn't bet on it. Everything about the car will be announced during the official unveiling, which should occur later this year.