Mercedes-Benz A200 Reviews

And in a move sure to make the baby Benz even more attractive, the starting price is around $30,000 for the entry-level A150.When the A-Class was launched eight years ago as a city getabout, it never quite lived up to its pre-release hype. Even a midlife suspension upgrade along with electronic stability control did little to drive sales.At the height of the first generation's popularity with Australian buyers, it was selling about 1000 units annually.Now the second generation promises to deliver the German car maker a bigger slice of the singles and small family car market.The A-Class is now available in two bigger body styles (three or five doors), three engine options (A150, A170 or A200) and three trim levels (Classic, Avantgarde and Elegance), and, later this year, Mercedes-Benz will unveil a new turbocharged version of the two-litre motor. Safety plays a big part in the Benz master plan for the A-Class and the car maker has been rewarded with a European NCAP five-star crash-test rating.With the engine and transmission tucked away under the floor, the mechanicals slide down and away from the interior in the event of a front-on crash.The vehicle's "sandwich" construction delivers the A-Class a bigger front-end crash crumple zone when compared with other vehicles in its class – and because the driver and passenger seating positions are elevated, there's more protection in the event of a side impact, according to the car maker.The safety package goes further, with seat-belt tensioners and adaptive belt force limiters, two-stage adaptive front airbags and side and window airbags to provide added protection for heads and upper bodies.The electronic and mechanical safety package includes ABS brakes with brake assist and stability control.The A-Class is a bigger car now – longer by 323mm and 45mm wider. This translates into more interior room and there is ample space to accommodate four or five people. Mercedes-Benz says the boot capacity is up by 15 per cent to 435 litres. With the seats in place, cargo room is adequate, but lay the rear seats flat, or remove them along with the front passenger seat, and the interior takes on a new dimension.Mercedes-Benz says the rear luggage area then expands to accommodate cargo measuring up to 2.75m (it will easily fit a bicycle) and can carry up to 1995 litres.On test was the A200 Elegance fitted with a range of high-end options, including the new continuously variable automatic transmission (Autotronic), satellite navigation and sun roof. Mercedes-Benz says the upgraded four-cylinder engine generates up to 13 per cent more power than the previous motor. The baby Benz scoots up to 100km from zero in a tick under 10 seconds and has a claimed top speed of about 200km/h.The new auto transmission is a first for Mercedes-Benz and delivers seamless acceleration. Unlike a traditional automatic, there is no discernible up or down shifting, but if there is a need to dictate terms, a manual mode is available.From the elevated driving position, there's good all-round vision and all controls, including the optional Thermotronic climate control system, are within easy reach.It was difficult to judge the effectiveness of the automatic windscreen wipers because it was rain-free during the test, but the come-on-as-needed headlights are worthwhile, particularly when driving into a dimly lit parking station. While you'd expect to easily slot a car of the A-Class's size into a parking space, the sharp wedge-shaped front makes it difficult to judge the whereabouts of the front bumper. Optional park assist on the test car overcomes the possibility of scratching the paintwork.Mercedes-Benz says its new engines are more fuel-efficient, using up to 10 per cent less fuel than the previous range.With a fuel-tank capacity of 54 litres, Mercedes-Benz says the A200 has a combined city/country consumption rate of 7.2 litres/100km, giving it a cruising range of more than 700km between fillups.SMALL TORQUEMercedes-Benz A200 ElegancePrice: From $42,900Engine: Two-litre, four cylindersPower: 100kW at 5750rpmTorque: 185Nm between 3500rpm and 4000rpmTransmission: Continuously variable automatic. Front-wheel driveWheels: 16in alloysSuspension: Front: Coil springs, twin-tube gas-pressure shock absorbers, anti-roll bar. Rear: Parabolic axleBrakes: Discs front and rear, ABS and brake assistanceWeight: 1270kgFuel consumption: 7.2 litres/100km.

Has the Baby Merc knocked off the Jazz? asks Mark Hinchliffe Benz still managed to sell more than 1 million of their baby entry-class cars in the past seven years, despite criticism of its driving characteristics. But now the second generation A-Class has hit the market.It still costs substantially more than a Jazz, but its driveability, sophistication, creature comforts, safety features and shape are a marked improvement. And now there are more variants to choose from. There are three engines, instead of two, with a turbo due later this year. And for the first time it is available in a three-door.From the outside, the bigger, wider, more spacious A-Class appears cuter, with pup seal eyes and rounded hips. The three-door varieties seem to emphasise that cuteness with cleaner, rounder lines down the sides.I drove the new 2-litre three-door five-speed manual recently and immediately noticed the vastly improved interior.Having stepped straight from a C-Class, it was evident that the classy instruments were shared, with only minor variations, and now include a multifunction steering wheel. Interesting that cruise control stays on, even if you change gears. Not sure if that is that a good thing or a bad thing.Seat adjustment is still rudimentary with stiff winders for the back rest. Fine, if you want incremental adjustments, but a nuisance for some, such as older people with arthritis. That is a shame because older people would be attracted to the high hip level for entry, wide access doors and upright driving position.Rear seat passengers get plenty of leg-room with 805mm between the front and rear seats, while shoulder room is up 97mm and boot space 15 per cent bigger, with two different floor levels. Importantly, the rear seats are now split and recline for more diverse cargo-carrying capacity.Above you is a concertina sun-roof that allows a bigger area of glass. The interior sunroof cover is opaque, so it allows a bit of light through, even when shut. It would probably also make the car warmer when parked in the sun.The cabin is quieter than before, except for the intrusion of engine noise. And the 2-litre engine does sound noisy. In fact, my daughter thought it was a diesel.It clatters and groans until it evens out over 3000rpm. Low-down power is lacking and you can easily stall on hill starts unless you give it a fair revving. However, mid-range and top-end power is much improved. The turbo should have more low-down torque.Under way, the new baby Merc feels solid and riveted to the road. There is no lifting and spinning of wheels around bumpy corners, little understeer, and certainly no fears of rolling.The ride is good for a car with a 2568mm wheelbase. Front wheels feel the sharper bumps, but the rear spherical parabolic-spring axle rides through quite comfortably. The rear drum brakes finally have been replaced with discs and the result is responsive, progressive stoppers.This two-litre three-door variant is really in a class of its own.There is no direct Jazz comparison. No close rivals at all.

The Mercedes-Benz baby has grown up and offers noticeably improved handling and ride comfort over the previous model.The A 150, A 170 and A 200 were tested at the launch this week were five-speed manuals and an automatic version of the A 200.The drive program consisted of tight and twisty roads and even a nice little dirt track with plenty of off-camber corners and slippery patches to give the ESP a real workout.On the freeway all models offered a comfortable ride. Wind noise was minimal but tyre noise from the A 170 and A 200's bigger 16-inch wheels was noticeable. Despite high winds, the new A-Class did not get blown over the road like the previous model did on test and definitely inspired more confidence behind the wheel.On the open road both the A 170 and A 200 cruised easily and effortlessly, the smaller A 150 needing a little bit more work on some of the bigger hills.Through the tight and twisty roads the cars kept their line over some harsh irregularities and while the ESP did show its presence it was only when a deliberately overactive right foot caused some sliding through corners.The dirt section gave a great indication of the ESP.While the little yellow exclamation light was extremely active through this section it was being pushed quite hard. It did not back the driver out too early but was able to be used to push that little bit harder.Inside, the quality of the finish has been upgraded and refreshed and further adds to what was an already stylish and funky interior.