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MercedesBenz is a company often portrayed as being deeply conservative, though in fact, no other manufacturer has such a record of innovation. Today, the brand is bolder, more forwardthinking and younger in feel, attributes very much in evidence in this fourth generation version of its smallest AClass model. This car's now pitched even more directly against sporty premium compact family hatches like Audi's A3 and BMW's 1 Series thanks to key new driving features, plus sharper looks, extra media connectivity and greater efficiency. There's the option of a saloon body style too.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00​​ Introduction
00:26 Background
03:39 Driving Experience
09:03 Design & Build
21:34 Market & Model Range
34:29 Cost of Ownership
41:36 Summary

Background

Want a case study in how to change brand perception? You're looking at it right here with this fourth generation Mercedes AClass. This car aims to make this famous marque one that more younger buyers could consider.

As before, we're told to regard this AClass as what the market calls a 'compact premium family hatchback' in other words, a Focus or Astrasized car with superior quality and a bit of extra badge equity. It's the kind of very profitable product that all the mainstream makers wish they could sell but which is primarily defined by this car and its two closest competitors, the Audi A3 and BMW's 1 Series. The frumpy first and second generation AClass contenders didn't really threaten these two rivals in any meaningful way, but this car's MK3 model predecessor really did. With its successor, Mercedes has sharpened up the looks, improved interior space and dialled in a great deal more safety and media connectivity.

Driving Experience

On to engines. In the petrol range, the entrylevel A 180 variant is likely to be popular, featuring a 1.4litre 136hp unit available with either 6speed manual or 7GDCT dualclutch auto transmission. This same engine's offered in the A 200 with 163hp, which manages rest to 62mph (in the manual model) in 8.2s. Next up is the A 250, which uses a 2.0litre petrol powerplant in a 224hp state of tune, manages rest to 62mph in 6.2s and is only offered with a 7GDCT auto 'box. Mercedes also offers an A 250e petrol plugin hybrid variant, which uses a 1.33litre petrol engine mated to a 75kW electric motor linked to a 15.6kWh battery and offers 44 miles of WLTPrated electrified driving range.

There are three diesel alternatives, all offered only as automatics. The first is the A 180d, which puts out 116hp and uses the 7GDCT auto gearbox. Next up is the A 200d which has a 2.0litre 150hp engine. Beyond that lies the top A 220d, which tunes the same unit up to 190hp. The A 200d and A 220 use an 8GDCT auto. At the top of the range are the two MercedesAMG 2.0litre petrol turbo hot hatch variants. There's the A 35 4MATIC which offers a potent 306hp.

What else do you need to know? Well the suspension is the usual torsion beam rear setup on most models, but if you go for a variant with 4MATIC AWD, you'll get a more sophisticated multilink rear setup. The 'DYNAMIC SELECT' driving modes system is standard, as usual enabling you to tweak steering feel and throttle response. At extra cost, adjustable damping can be added into it. Some of the autonomous driving capability from larger Mercedes models has been built into this one, meaning that, in certain situations, you're aClass, if appropriately equipped, will effectively be able to drive itself on dual carriageways at cruising speeds.

Design and Build

There's a choice of fivedoor hatch or saloon body shapes. Either way, from the outside, this fourth generation AClass delivers a more progressive design with a low bonnet and flat, more angular LED headlamps. The car is visually extended by its now longer wheelbase and a smart character line along the side. The bonnet slopes down more heavily than in the preceding model series, emphasising the more dynamic, upright front. Larger wheel arches housing bigger rims (ranging from 16 to 19 inches) help too, making this AClass sit more squarely on the road.

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