The Mercedes Benz A35 Facelift!

Months of guess photos are finally coming to an end as Mercedes Benz is unveiling the new A-Class facelift. This lineup will boast a hatchback and saloon body style. This compact prestigious marque plays a game of spot the changes with its mid-cycle revision. With revamped headlights, optional LEDs amid a redesigned grille with tiny diamond stars. At the rear, the Mercedes has installed a new diffuser and standard LED taillights.

Four new rim options have been given which go up to 19 inches, including an AMG Line set with a gloss black multi-spoke design. Mercedes is also offering a variety of individual paint options from the catalogue with frozen and metallic finishes.

For the interior, they have updated the steering wheel in Nappa leather as standard while the centre console gets some minor revisions. The latest infotainment system continues to work with a 7" display that can be upgraded to a 10.25-inch diagonal to match the touchscreen.

Power unit wise, the petrol engines have received a mild-hybrid treatment and work with seven- or eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions as standard. The 48V tech provides an extra 13 bhp (10 kilowatts) of power at the start. For the plug-in hybrid, the electric motor now delivers an extra 7 bhp (5 kW) for a grand total of 107 bhp (80 kW). Owners can increase the battery with alternating current at up to 11 kW or with direct current at 22 kW, in which case it takes 25 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 percent.

Mercedes Benz are also unveiling the new AMG versions with the A35 being available in hatchback and saloon models while the A45 S remains a five-door-only option. The AMG A35 gets a mild-hybrid system and transitions to an eight-speed DCT replacing the previously used seven-speed transmission. Output remains unchanged, at a generous 302 bhp (225 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque.

The 2023 AMG A45 S receives a Street Style Edition with an assortment of visual enhancements. The limited-run version is painted in Mountain Grey Magno and gets an aero kit as standard as well as new 19-inch matte black wheels with red brake callipers. With retro-flavoured body decals along with bright orange accents on the inside where there are aluminium trim elements.

The A45 S remains at 416 bhp (310 kW) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft), but it's no longer the most powerful four-cylinder engine installed in a production car. Mounted longitudinally in the new AMG C63, the very same M139 generates a whopping 470 bhp (350 kW) and 545 Nm (402 lb-ft). The lesser version of the four-pot helps the AMG A45 S hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.9 seconds and max out at 168 mph (270 km/h). It'll be interesting to see whether there are plans to put the more potent motor into the compact car, but we wouldn't get our hopes up too high.