2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class first drive review
Youngest sibling syndrome obviously doesn't resonate with Mercedes-Benz, at least if the updated A-Class hatch is any guide.
Three years after its debut, the German car maker has lightly updated the most junior member of its line-up and the expectations are readily visible. Mercedes' is chasing more global sales and has high hopes pinned on the A-Class in the face of renewed competition from the credentialed Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series. No special treatment afforded here.
The changes to the A-Class are minimal on paper - extending to light cosmetic updates inside and out, additional technology and more power and efficiency. On the road they serve to reinforce the A-Class as a formidable luxury car in its own right.
Five different models will be offered locally when the A-Class arrives in January: four petrols, including the AMG-fettled A45 flagship, and one diesel. Pricing is expected to rise marginally over the predecessor, with an indicative entry price of about $36,000 (plus on-road costs), moving as high as $80,000 for the AMG.
Settling into any one of the A-Class models is a cosseting experience. Soft seats with umpteen adjustments, a svelte interior and thoughtful driver positioning bear all the traditional hallmarks of the three-pointed star.
There are hand-me-down items aplenty from the A-Class' larger siblings. Standard satellite navigation (a first for A-Class) is now presented on an uprated eight-inch freestanding monitor, while the inclusion of blind spot assist across all models bolsters a five-star safety suite which includes autonomous emergency braking that reduces the vehicle's speed to avoid rear-end collisions.
The driving experience is pleasant. The A-Class is refined and composed on a widely differing drive route which includes 200km/h sections of autobahn tied in with twisting back roads and cobble stone-lined German villages.
The steering is linear, with excellent weighting and an immunity to mid-corner kickback, while body control is exemplary, as is the suspension's firm but smooth progress over a variety of surfaces.
The diesel-powered A200d is the clear efficiency leader of the A-Class range, claiming to consume just 4.1L/100km on a European cycle. The 2.1-litre oil-burner offers an even spread of power, with minimal lag and only a faint diesel clatter as it goes about its business.
In daily conveyance, the 100kW/300Nm diesel is smooth and linear, though it can feel a little flustered when pushed, calling upon a decisive seven-speed transmission to intervene.
Impressively, the diesel consumed 7.0L/100km on a route which included extended sections of high-speed autobahn.
Three petrol models will be offered in the updated range, two of which will be powered by slightly differing versions of a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Anchoring the range is the A180, which now produces 90kW of power and 200Nm of torque. The slightly more powerful A200 raises outputs to 115kW and 250Nm, amounting to a faster 0-100km/h time of 8.1 seconds (against 8.9 seconds), and an identical claim fuel consumption of 5.4L/100km on a European cycle.
The real revelation with the A-Class is the introduction of adaptive suspension, which will become standard on the most popular A250 4Matic model and will be optional on the A200 and A200d.
Where the predecessor A250 was dogged by a firm, bordering on choppy ride over bumps, the newcomer smooths out patchwork roads in everyday settings, and yet balances out those attributes with excellent body control, accurate steering and composure during fast driving.
With an estimated price of more than $55,000 (plus on-road costs), the A250 4Matic has a tall order in challenging the similarly-minded Audi S3 Sportback in dynamics, though it is an engaging performer on the road with a real propensity for dispatching the twisty stuff.
Power comes courtesy of a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine which now sends drive to all four-wheels (previously front-wheel drive) via seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The kilowatt count has increased to 160 (up 5kW), while torque sits at a respectable 350Nm – propelling it to 100km/h from rest in 6.3 seconds.
The engine feels feisty in sporty driving, but needs to rev to really reach its potential (peak power and torque outputs are rated at 5500rpm and 1200rpm respectively).
Fortunately, a new Dynamic Select system makes a suitable ally in heady driving by spicing up the engine, transmission, steering and dampers at the push of a button.
In the hardest Sports setting, the A250 mimics some of the attributes of the flagship 280kW/475Nm A45 with a high-revving, high-fun mix. In comfort mode, it feels much more compliant while still producing the same prominent exhaust burble at revs.
Solidifying the A250's positioning as the penultimate sports offering beneath the A45 is a new Motorsport Edition package which channels the Petronas green highlights of the Mercedes' Formula One team sponsor.
The package dresses up a cabin which still feels a little unresolved: there are more than 50 buttons adorning the centre binnacle and the rear seat is limited in its application. Compensating for that though, Apple Carplay software will be standard on the A-Class models in Australia arriving from March 2016 onwards, around three months after the initial updated variants land in local showrooms.
There are also cheaper plastics below the contact points and noticeable road noise, though rear air vents, a black headlining and more visible premium materials partially offset these factors. The A-Class' boot remains unchanged at 341 litres, reflecting its 4.29 metre length.
The real test for the A-Class will come when it is directly pitted against the A3 and the 1-Series in a more definitive test. But for now, its place in the Mercedes-Benz hierarchy is hardly reflective of its size.
2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class pricing and specifications
Price: $36,000-$80,000 plus on-road costs (estimated)
On sale: January 2016
Engine: 1.6-litre petrol/2.0-litre diesel/2.0-litre petrol
Power: 90kW and 115kW/100kW/160kW and 280kW
Torque: 200Nm and 250Nm/300Nm/350Nm and 475Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, FWD or AWD
Fuel use: 5.4L/100km (1.6-litre petrols); 4.1L/100km (2.0-litre diesel); 6.6L/100km and 6.9L/100km (2.0-litre petrols)