New Mercedes-AMG A35 vs BMW M140i
Mercedes-AMG’s new entry-level A35 isn’t as extreme as some hot hatches, but still promises to give BMW’s M140i a run for its money...
Infotainment
BMW M140i
This 8.8in screen is part of a £775 media upgrade (a 6.5in one is standard); definition is pin-sharp and the graphics look great. The upgrade also brings a trackpad for making inputs with your finger; alternatively, you can access the system via the touchscreen or the user-friendly rotary dial. It’s one of the easiest systems to use. Punchy optional Harman Kardon stereo (£600) is a worthwhile addition.
Mercedes-AMG A35
Mercedes’ latest system has a trackpad controller that’s fiddlier to use than BMW’s rotary iDrive, although you can also operate it via the touchscreen (7.0in as standard but upgradable to 10.3in with a £1395 pack). The screen is responsive and the menus are intuitive. Natural speech recognition is standard and works well. Smartphone mirroring is £495; unlike M140i, it works with Android phones too.
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