The highly anticipated Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic has been priced from £35,580 ahead of its launch early next year.

The new hot hatch features a uniquely tuned turbocharged 2.0-litre engine delivering 302bhp as well as a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, on-demand four-wheel drive and a specially stiffened body. It is available to order now, with the first deliveries due in spring 2019.

The new AMG model, revealed at the recent Paris motor show, is positioned between the latest A250 and upcoming second-generation A45 4Matic in the German car maker’s performance car line-up as a rival to the BMW M140i and Audi S3 as well as a raft of other hot hatchbacks, including the Volkswagen Golf R, which costs from £34,910 in the five-door bodystyle with the automatic transmission.

We’ve had an early look at one of the stars of the #ParisMotorShow the @MercedesAmg A35. Full story https://t.co/LdXSvwAXH1 pic.twitter.com/0nnby5DNWR — Autocar (@autocar) October 1, 2018

Conceived to offer greater performance potential than the front-wheel-drive A250 but at a price that sees it pitched some £6000 below that of the £41,230 previous A45 4Matic in the UK, the A35 4Matic is being launched after strong sales of the A45 4Matic and other four-cylinder AMG models, including the CLA45 4Matic, CLA45 Shooting Brake 4Matic and GLA45 4Matic.

"The demand for our compact models has developed in recent years. This success has encouraged us to further expand our portfolio and place it on a broader footing," said Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG.

At the heart of the A35 4Matic is a revised version of Mercedes-Benz’s M260 engine, as used by the A250. It is described by AMG as a new development, although the new four-cylinder unit shares its 83.0mm bore and 92.0mm stroke measurements and design of its die-cast aluminium crankcase with the M133 engine of the A45 4Matic.