Mercedes AMG A 35 4MATIC W177 vs MINI Cooper E FWD: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the AMG A 35 4MATIC hits 100 km/h in 4.75 s versus 7.20 s for the Cooper E FWD. Despite lacking instant torque, 306 hp of power compensates. At this point, the AMG A 35 4MATIC leads by 2.46 s and sits roughly 22 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the AMG A 35 4MATIC is doing 144 km/h against 124 km/h for the Cooper E FWD. The gap is 1.62 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the AMG A 35 4MATIC crosses the line in 12.98 s versus 15.37 s. The 2.39 s gap represents roughly 97 m of track — a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the AMG A 35 4MATIC continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 201 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the AMG A 35 4MATIC finishes in 23.39 s versus 28.93 s, with a 5.54 s lead.

The AMG A 35 4MATIC features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Cooper E FWD’s FWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the AMG A 35 4MATIC is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph — industry threshold) km/h, the Cooper E FWD at 160 km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit — it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.15 seconds. The 2.46 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.