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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