There’s a Mercedes-Benz A-Class model for everyone

Since its official launch a few months ago, Mercedes-Benz South Africa has put on quite a show for the new A-Class.

It started with an adrenaline rush in the AMG models around Kyalami, continued on a temporary street circuit in Sandton before winding down on country roads between Pretoria East and Bronkhorstspruit.

While it was great to experience the various models through some sweeping bends, through cones in a gymkhana and open-road cruising, its biggest test probably still lies ahead: living with an A-Class.

After having four different models back-to-back, we are happy to report that their is, indeed, an A-Class to suit every need. And with Mercedes-Benz’s guaranteed future value, they might be more affordable for those who thought they would never be able to afford to buy into the brand.

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The “Baby Merc” has come a long way since its early days of looking like a bread bin. It now has such a versatile and extensive line-up that it is a great pity to think this is probably the last iteration of it.

All four models The Citizen Motoring sampled were fitted standard with two 10.25-inch displays with Mbux multimedia system, smartphone integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus reverse camera.

Sporty A-Class Hatch

This A-Class hatch in Progressive guise, at R796 559 offers the gateway to owing a Mercedes-Benz passenger car. We drove the AMG Line, which comes at a R29 000 premium.

The Hatch is only offered with a 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine which sends 120kW of power and 270Nm of torque to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Boost enables an additional 10kW.

Our fuel consumption in this A-Class over 255km came to 7.7 litres per 100km. That is far off Merc’s claim of 5.6 litre/100km, but we did manage a return of 6.5 during an economy run of 89km.

The Hatch looks more sporty than its sedan sibling, but boot space is down by 75 litres to 355 litres.

Despite it’s entry-level position, the A200 feels as premium as its price tag suggests. It is sporty and stylish, handles well and comes with decent power and fuel consumption to make it a classy choice as a daily car.

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Frugal A200d Sedan

The 2.0-litre four-cylinder 110kW/320 Nm turbodiesel engine is only offered on the Sedan. We drove the AMG Line, which at a starting price of R948 995, is the most expensive non-AMG A-Class product in Merc’s stable.

The mill, which sends the twist to the front wheels via an eight-speed 8G-DCT, is a gem. It is a refined piece of machinery which strikes a perfect balance between power and fuel economy. With peak torque available from as low as 1 400rpm, this A-Class has a claimed 0-100km/h time of 8.2 seconds, which is similar to its petrol sibling.

We managed fuel economy of 7.0 L/100km for the duration of its 307km stay. But, we did manage to record 5.0 L/100km over a 17km economy run, which isn’t far off the 4.5 L/100km claim.

But you have to travel considerably more for the almost R70 000 premium over the petrol version to make sense.

We thought the A200d Sedan is a classy ride which justifies that there is still space for this practical body style in today’s SUV-orientated world.

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Best of both worlds

The Mercedes-AMG A35 Sedan is not as brutish as its AMG 45 S sibling, not in terms of power of styling, but is still seriously hot in comparison to its garden-variety A-Class siblings.

It’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine produces 225kW/400Nm sent to all four wheels via AMG Speedshift DCT 8G. An additional 10kW via boost takes the total power output up to 235kW.

The A35 AMG is capable of living the perfect double life. On one hand it can get through school runs and city traffic with an unassuming and quiet persona, but it can also hustle like a street fighter with snap, crackle and pop when you need it. And to put its claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time of 4.8 seconds into perspective, that is faster than the 6.2-litre C 63 AMG from 15 years ago!

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We thought the 11.8 L/100km fuel consumption over 334km was quite good for the type of ambitious driving we stuck to throughout the test. Let’s just say, saving trees was not high on our agenda.

While its performance makes it a clear choice out of all the A-Class models we drove, we did find the suspension a bit hard and unforgiving to consider as a daily ride.

It might have been the result of the low-profile 235/35 rubberware wrapped around the optional 19-inch five twin-spoke light-alloy wheels it was kitted in, but it did not compliment an otherwise outstanding product.

A-Class pocket rocket

Only available in hatch guise, the flagbearer of the A family boasts a 310kW/500Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine which boosts 2.1 bar running down to all four wheels.

Unlike the A35, there was nothing unassuming about this ride. As it was an AMG Street Style edition it came in Mountain Grey Magno paintwork and decals with colour gradient in black/matt anthracite and highlights in fluorescent orange.

The interior featured AMG-performance seats with orange top stitching, a steering wheel in black, specific trim elements and AMG door sill panels with “AMG” lettering illuminated in red.

Merc claims it will sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.9sec but we couldn’t put it to the test as road test editor Mark Jones hit a pothole on his way to Gerotek, with the resulting damage forcing him to abandon his tests.

Having had the privilege to guide this pocket rocket around Kyalami, we can say that it is fast. And very easy to drive by virtue of a serious amount of technology.

Whip the Dynamic Select in Sport+ and the generated soundtrack and lighting acceleration is so intoxicating you’ll want to do it all day long.

But at a shade under R1.4 million and as thirsty as a Kalahari mule, it’s a brilliant plaything only few will experience.