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Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2008 Review

New A and B class hatchbacks means you can switch to smaller vehicle without sacrificing quality or creature comforts.

Safer, better equipped and more fuel-efficient than ever, the two models will appeal to those looking to make the switch to a smaller vehicle, but who are unwilling to sacrifice quality or creature comforts.

Leading the charge in the economy stakes is a diesel in the A Class range for the first time, the A180 CDI that uses as little as 5.0 litres of fuel per 100km.

The major upgrade sees the debut by Benz of a number of innovative fuel-saving technologies, but the way it pans out it’s more a case of what we miss out on that what we will actually get.

The big news is the addition of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered model in the B Class range that, it is claimed, can slash running costs by 50 per cent.

The problem as far as we’re concerned is that the necessary infrastructure for refuelling the vehicle does not currently exist outside of bus depots, so it's not going to be appear on the shopping list any time soon.

A fuel-saving “ECO” engine cut-out system has also been introduced as an option in both ranges, that kills the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop, for example at traffic lights – helping to reduce fuel consumption.

The system has been shown in tests to cut fuel use by as much as nine per cent, but unfortunately it is available only with manual petrol models at this stage.

And, because Benz sells very few manuals here, it too is of little interest at this stage – but this could change soon as the technology is rolled out to include auto and diesel models.

We also miss out Benz’s Blue Efficiency package, a new trademark for particularly economical and environmentally compatible cars, featuring lightweight construction, lower air and rolling resistance and more efficient energy management.

It is packaged only with the smaller A160 diesel that the company doesn’t offer in Australia.

It’s not all doom and gloom, however, because we will be getting the new Active Parking Assist system.

Like similar systems offered by other manufacturers, it will virtually reverse park the car for you, checking if a parking space is large enough and guiding the vehicle into the spot after the driver selects reverse gear – without the need for the driver to touch the steering wheel.

It will be a boon for those drivers who would rather do a second lap of the block, than tackle the daunting task of reverse parking their car with traffic waiting.

The new A and B Class ranges including the new A180 CDI diesel are due to arrive in September, but we were invited to preview the cars this week at the international launch in Berlin.

A departure from the rear wheel drive sedans that the company has traditionally produced, the front-wheel drive hatches have proved enormously popular since their introduction – the A Class in 1997, the B eight years later in 2005.

Many people including industry insiders dismiss the cars as pretend Benzes, but this view is short-sighted and overlooks their intrinsic practicality.

At 4273mm the B Class is 39cm longer and a few millimetres wider than its smaller sibling.

Both ranges have been overhauled inside and out, with the obligatory new lights, bumpers and radiator grilles featuring a more prominent three-pointed star.

Engines and transmissions remain pretty much the same but have been further refined to produce better fuel economy and less harmful emissions.

Combined the A and B Class now make up 18 per cent of Benz sales in Australia and at the moment almost 25 per cent of Benzes sold here are now diesels.

The A180 CDI will be available in five-door form only with a six-speed manual standard and uses the same 2.0-litre four cylinder common rail turbo diesel that has powered the B180 for some time.

It has been added in response to strong customer demand for an A Class diesel.

Personally we have always found the A Class a mite small for our tastes and believe the larger B Class is better suited to our roads and environment.

It’s the car that Benz should have built in the first place.

Sales speak louder than words and the B Class has quickly outstripped the smaller hatch.

The B180 with its 2.0-litre direct injection turbo diesel is an old favourite.

With 80kW of power and 250Nm of torque on tap, claimed fuel consumption is 5.2-5.4 litres per 100km, down from 5.8 previously, giving it a range of over 1000km.

The car is an ideal size for the city, able to seat four adults in comfort, with plenty of rear legroom and a good sized luggage area.

We’d like to see a little more power from the engine and there is in fact a more powerful version available with 103kW and 300Nm.

But Benz says the small gain in performance would not justify the extra cost of the car, so we’ll have to be content with the one we’ve got.

The lighter A180 with the same engine turns in an even better result at 5.0-5.2 litres/100km, but because of its smaller size is noticeably noisier inside.

In the entertainment department, a 40 gig hard disk based navigation and music system is available as an option with both ranges.

The navigation system offers a three-dimensional view and the system offers a full range of media inputs including Bluetooth and USB via a variety of connecting cables through a port located in the glovebox.

Prices for both ranges are expected to increase slightly, the new A Class more so because it has additional equipment.

Prices for A Class currently start at $35,000 and for the B Class at $45,800.

 

Pricing guides

$8,745
Based on 7 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months
Lowest Price
$8,990
Highest Price
$8,995

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
A170 Avantgarde 1.7L, PULP, CVT AUTO $5,830 – 8,250 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2008 A170 Avantgarde Pricing and Specs
A170 Classic 1.7L, PULP, CVT AUTO $4,730 – 6,930 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2008 A170 Classic Pricing and Specs
A180 CDI Classic 2.0L, Diesel, CVT AUTO $5,500 – 7,700 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2008 A180 CDI Classic Pricing and Specs
A200 Turbo Avantgarde 2.0L, PULP, CVT AUTO $6,160 – 8,690 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2008 A200 Turbo Avantgarde Pricing and Specs
Chris Riley
Contributing Journalist

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