Special Edition Mercedes-AMG Models Celebrate 55 Years Of AMG

2022 will be a year of automotive anniversaries. While BMW celebrates the 50th anniversary of its M Division, over in Affalterbach, deadly rival AMG is also celebrating a special birthday; it’s been 55 years since the legendary performance arm of Mercedes-Benz was formed.

To mark the occasion, AMG unveiled the G63 Edition 55 in March, with the promise that “more birthday surprises will follow in the coming months.” Well, the latest surprise has arrived in the form of the A35 and CLA35 Edition 55.

Like the G-Wagon, Mercedes has bestowed the latest special edition with an assortment of style-enhancing add-ons. A standard AMG Aerodynamics Package brings with it a sporty front apron with an enlarged front splitter, AMG wing, and a Blade diffuser, among other things, all painted in black.

Elsewhere, the AMG Night Package and AMG Night package II add a touch of menace to the overall look. A high-gloss black finish is applied to the side sill trims, window garnishing, grille, and badging, lending an understated yet sporty look. Edition 55 models can be had in two paint schemes; Cosmos Black Metallic or Digital White Metallic. On the side of the A35 and CLA35 AMG models are special graphics with the traditional AMG emblem and rhombus.

The tasteful 19-inch AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels certainly look the part and sport a unique finish, with the matt titanium grey surface uplifted by the high-sheen rim flange. Even the fuel filler cap has received the Edition 55 treatment, with a classy silver chrome item with AMG lettering replacing the regular black item. The interior has received its fair share of upgrades, too.

The performance seats are trimmed in Classic Red/Black leather. The sultry color scheme is repeated lower down in the cabin, with black AMG floor mats enlivened by the door sill panels with red-glowing AMG lettering. The three-spoke steering wheel gains a Dinamica microfiber finish, along with a particularly sporty 12 o’clock marking and Edition 55 badging.

Contrast red stitching adds further excitement to the interior, while brushed aluminum trim adds some much-needed brightwork. Mercedes-Benz has said the equipment package can be ordered for an additional €12,614 (approx. $13,700), which is expensive. There’s no word yet as to whether it will be made available in the US but, with the A-Class no longer available in the USA, it would only be available on the CLA35 AMG.

Priced at $48,950, the Edition 55 package would, theoretically, push the price up to $62,650 – a lot of money for a compact sports sedan. In Europe, would-be buyers can also select from the A35 hatchback, as well as the gorgeous CLA35 Shooting Brake.