Brabus has pointlessly tuned the Mercedes A-Class

Quite why Brabus has bothered having a go at tuning the Mercedes-AMG A35 is beyond us. Mercedes does its own more powerful A-Class – the A45 – and though Brabus doesn’t quote prices for its power- and body-kits, we bet if you add everything up, the German tuner’s A35 is roughly the same money as Merc’s own uber-hatch…

Nevertheless, let’s talk about it. Brabus’ ‘PowerXtra B35’ kit adds 43bhp and 44lb ft to the A35, taking the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine to 345bhp and 339lb ft. The ‘PowerXtra+ B35 S’ kit, meanwhile, supplements the new mapping and increased boost pressure with a stainless steel sport exhaust. This adds a further 20bhp and 20lb ft, for 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds and a top speed limited to 155mph.

Then you have all the skirts and spoilers, which as usual are claimed to improve aerodynamics. The car pictured above has plainly had the whole catalogue thrown at it, but should you wish you can have the power with none of the spoilers (or vice versa). The interior is also completely customisable – Brabus will trim it in any colour you fancy, and fit as much branding as your eyes can handle.

Are you, for some reason, tempted? Head down to next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show to see it in the metal.