Mercedes-Benz A 200 CDI BlueEfficiency Sport

Car review: DAVID WILKINS

What is it?

This is the third-generation A-Class. Previous models had a sandwich floor construction that gave them an unusual high-sided look but the latest one is much more similar in concept to rivals such as the new Audi A3 and Volvo V40 – and a lot prettier too.

Prices start at a comparatively keen £18,945 for a basic petrol-engined A180 model. Next year, a full-blooded AMG version, the A 45 AMG, will join the range. There’s a full choice of diesels too, including one from Renault, an early sign of the link between Mercedes and the French group in the development of four-cylinder engines. It means plenty of choice for company car drivers to mix and match to their allowance or tax bill limit.

The A-Class is available with a single five-door body-shell but shares its platform with the latest B-Class. We can also expect a “baby CLS” four-door coupé and an SUV to come from the same platform as well.

What’s hot?

• The most obvious change is the switch to a conventional five-door hatchback body making for a much better looking and desirable car
• The starting price of £18,945 represents excellent value for a capable car with a Mercedes badge on its grille and looks pretty good against the competition too
• Even the base car is well equipped, featuring Mercedes’ Audio 20 CD/radio with a 5.8 inch colour screen, an aux-in socket, a USB port, Bluetooth and pre-wiring for Becker’s Map Pilot navigation system, a neat halfway house between a messy aftermarket sat nav and an expensive built-in system

• Buyers wanting more kit can go for the more expensive SE, Sport, AMG Sport and Engineered by AMG models – the last has a special AMG body kit, big wheels and the sportier Dynamic Handling Package.
• Petrol engines include a 122 horsepower 1.6 badged A 180, a 156 horsepower 1.6 badged A 200, and the two-litre A 250
• Diesels are badged A 180 or A 200 – the A 200 diesel has a 136 horsepower 1.8-litre engine
• All A 180 diesels have 109 horsepower but manuals get Renault-based 1.5-litre engine while cars fitted with the seven-speed dual-clutch auto are 1.8s – apart from that all engines can be paired with either the six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT
• The new A-Class has excellent chassis qualities; flat, fluid handling is paired with ride comfort that’s almost good enough to be compared with that that of Mercedes’ larger saloon cars
• Optional Drive Kit Plus includes a Mercedes app that integrates the car’s systems with the iPhone, allowing Twitter, Facebook, Internet radio and other services to be accessed via the car’s own screen;  SIRI compatibility and Android support will be along soon