Bay Harbour: September 11, 2019

Wednesday September 11 2019
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
BAY HARBOUR
PAGE 23
Mercedes-Benz puts boot into A-Class
Motoring
Ross Kiddie
I HAVE A certain amount of
affection for the Mercedes-Benz
A-Class.
When that model first appeared
in 1998 it was the first car from
that company I had a chance to
evaluate.
It also stood out for
controversy, Scandinavian
drivers were very sceptical of
the A-Class, it was claimed it
didn’t pass the local elk test – an
evasive manoeuvre procedure.
However, as you would expect
from Mercedes-Benz, evolving
safety systems have long put that
rationale to the bin.
The A-Class has been a solid
seller in the small hatchback
market, and I’ve come to really
like the entry-level vehicle into
this luxury car brand. It must also
be said that I’m even more excited
about the range for it now includes
a sedan and, what’s more,
it’s a beauty in terms of practicality
and driveability.
Sure, the basic fundamentals of
the A-Class haven’t been interfered
with, however, it is a little
longer at 4549mm compared for
4419mm for the hatchback, but
that is marginal, and for the extra
versatility I’d certainly throw my
hat in the ring for one.
MERCEDES-BENZ A200: Available in hatchback or sedan.
It also looks special, I’ve made
no secret of my desire for the
traditional, and the A-Class sedan
looks sporty and almost sits apart
from the hatchback it is based on.
The fundamental mechanicals are
also still the same, the engine sits
transversely under the bonnet and
drive is sent to the front wheels.
The A-Class sedan lands here
with two turbocharged engine
options – A180 and A200. Effectively,
it’s the same four-cylinder
engine other than varying power
outputs; the A180 gets 100kW
and 200Nm, the A200 gets higher
turbo boost, lifting the ratings to
120kW and 250Nm.
Interestingly, the engine is just
1.3-litre, but if you are thinking
it’s a little underwhelming then
you had better think again.
I’ve recently evaluated the B180
which shares the 100kW engine
and it punches well above its
weight in terms of performance.
Forcing an extra 20kW and
50Nm through the system, the
A200 feels feisty and lively, the
engine is one of the sweetest you’d
ever get a chance to experience,
and it delights in meeting throttle
request.
Power is directed through a
seven-speed dual-clutch transmission
– effectively you treat it
as an automatic, there is no clutch
pedal. The gearbox is characterised
by quick shifts and ratios
which extract the power well and
provide the economy an A-Class
buyer would be searching for.
Mercedes-Benz claims a 5.7-litre
per 100km (49mpg) combined
cycle average for the 1332cc unit.
During my time in the evaluation
car the fuel usage readout
was constantly listing around
7l/100km (41mpg), while a
4.5l/100km (63mpg) figure is on
offer instantaneously at 100km/h,
the engine turning over at just
1800rpm.
On the subject of figures, the
A-Class sedan claims an 8.1sec
standstill to 100km/h time,
while it will also complete an
overtaking manoeuvre (80km/h-
120km/h) in 5sec.
All of these figures stack up to
provide wallet-friendly motoring
along with satisfactory performance.
What’s more, the A-Class
is a darn nice thing to drive, it is
quiet, comfortable, and provides
a feel that initiates confidence and
security within the car.
When presented with a few
tight corners, the A-Class steers
with precision. Grip in the first
instance is provided by Hungarian-moulded
Hankook tyres
which measure 225/45 x 18in,
even though their profile is a little
low, ride comfort isn’t jeopardised,
the fully independent
suspension is all class, ruts and
bumps are willingly absorbed,
while the firming is such that
body balance stays controlled.
At just over 1.4m tall the A-
Class sedan doesn’t move much
over the suspension and because
there’s not a lot of weight in the
car (1350kg), gravitational force
doesn’t work against balance.
The A-Class sedan is what I
• Price – Mercedes-Benz
A200 sedan, $62,900
• Dimensions – Length,
4549mm; width, 1796mm;
height, 1440mm
• Configuration – Fourcylinder,
front-wheel-drive,
1332cc, 120kW, 250Nm,
seven-speed automatic.
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 8.1sec
• Fuel usage – 5.7l/100km
would call realistically priced.
At $62,900 in standard form it
comes complete with much of
the kit that I’d be comfortable
with. There’s a huge option list
and buyers will no doubt explore
that willingly. The evaluation car
had a few extras added in such as
driving assistant and seat comfort
packages, which added just over
$3k to the list price.
There’s no doubt that Mercedes-
Benz will have to market the
A-Class sedan well. Sedans aren’t
selling in large numbers any more
and those that are in the market
are all quality and compete on
largely equal terms. The A-Class
sits $14k above what you’d pay for
say a Mazda3 Limited, that being
the case, it needs to be good, and
I can safely say that it is.
If you also look at the bigger
picture and are thinking of
buying into one of the world’s
greatest luxury/sporty brands,
you can do that for a smidgeon
over $60k, that in itself has much
appeal.
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