It is not often that two direct competitors on the same segment are launching so close to each other with almost identical specs however this is the case with the new offerings from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The class between the two German automakers has been raging for decades however both companies are comparably new to the premium C-Segment hot hatch market.
BMW was the only company with an RWD 6-cylinder hot hatch from the first generation 130i M Package until the facelifted second-generation flagship M140i which was phased out last year with no direct replacement. Even though the all-new third-generation 1 Series has made the change to an FWD platform, that didn’t stop BMW from presenting a hot hatch version of their compact model – the M135i xDrive – featuring AWD, a four-cylinder 2.0 liter engine (225 kW / 450 Nm), a sporty setup and an aggressive body kit.
Despite the bland past of its hatchbacks, from the launch of the third-generation A-Class, Mercedes-Benz made a statement with the AMG A45 W176 and the updated AMG A45 W176 (facelift). So when it came for the launch of the fourth-generation A-Class last year, the expectation was really high. Mercedes decided to tease us with the AMG A 35 4Matic W177 fitted with a 2.0 liter engine (225 kW / 400 Nm) and a full aero kit before launching the flagship AMG A 45 S 4Matic W177 (310 kW / 500 Nm) which became the most powerful hot hatch ever made and the most powerful production car with a four-cylinder engine. BMW announced that they are not planning to present a direct competitor to the hyper-hatches Mercedes-AMG A 45 and Audi RS3 Sportback.
So that leaves us with the BMW M135i xDrive against the Mercedes-AMG A 35 4Matic which might not be the flagship offerings however they do get pretty close spec-wise. But before we move on to the detailed comparison, let’s start with a design battle (note that the A 35 pictured is equipped with the optional aerodynamic package).
Exterior
Interior
Engine
Specifications
 |  | |
| Model | BMW M135i xDrive (F40) | Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic W177 |
| Production | 2019-present | 2018-present |
| Segment | C | C |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Layout | AWD | AWD |
| Engine Displacement | 1998 cm3 | 1991 cm3 |
| Cylinders | L4 | L4 |
| Induction | Turbocharged | Turbocharged |
| Fuel | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Fuel System | Direct Injection | Direct Injection |
| Power (hp) | 306 | 306 |
| Power (kw) | 225 | 225 |
| Power (@rpm) | @4500–6250 rpm | @5800-6100 rpm |
| Torque (Nm) | 450 | 400 |
| Torque (@rpm) | @1750–5000 rpm | @3000-4000 rpm |
| 0-100km/h | 4,7 sec | 4,7 sec |
| Top Speed (km/h) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Top Speed (mph) | 155 mph | 155 mph |
| Consumption (lt/100km) | 7,1 | 7,3 |
| CO2 (g/km) | 162 g/km | 167 g/km |
| Gearbox | 8 AT | 7 AT |
| Weight | 1525 kg | 1445 kg |
| Length | 4319 mm | 4419 mm |
| Width | 1799 mm | 1796 mm |
| Height | 1434 mm | 1440 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2670 mm | 2729 mm |
| Front Track | 1560 mm | – |
| Rear Track | 1563 mm | – |
| Boot Space | 380 liters | 370 liters |
| Tire Size | 225/40 R18 | 235/40 R18 |
| Front Brakes | 360mm Ventilated Discs | 350mm Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | 330mm Ventilated Discs | 330mm Ventilated Discs |
So which one do you prefer;
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