Mercedes-Benz A180 Reviews

EQ Power is the latest link in the electric chain, and applies to Mercedes' new second-generation range of plug-in hybrid models which made their public debut at the Frankfurt show.

Mercedes-Benz says the drag co-efficient for this new sedan version of its fourth-generation A-Class is the lowest ever measured for a passenger vehicle.At a bit over 4.5m long, a fraction under 1.8m wide, and close to 1.5m tall it’s 130mm longer and 6.0mm higher than the hatch version.And the reason we’re all here is the boot, the sedan’s extra length translating to an additional 60 litres of luggage space for a total cargo volume of 430 litres (VDA).The A-Class sedan is launching with two variants, the A 200 at $49,400, before on-road costs, and the entry-level A 180 at $44,900.Standard equipment for the A 200 runs to 18-inch alloy wheels, ‘Artico’ faux leather upholstery, the ‘MBUX’ widescreen cockpit display (two 10.25-inch digital screens), auto LED headlights and DRLs, keyless entry and start, auto-dimming rearview mirror, climate-control, sat nav, multi-function sports steering wheel, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, ‘Active Parking Assist’ (with ultrasonic proximity sensors front and rear), tinted glass, plus nine-speaker, 225W audio with digital radio, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.Plus a dual exhaust system, four-way electrical adjustment for the driver’s seat (with lumbar support), a folding rear armrest (with twin cupholders), adaptive high-beam assist, and a wireless device charging bay.Power is supplied by a 1.3-litre direct-injection four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine delivering 120kW (at 5500rpm) and 250Nm (at 1620rpm). Drive goes to the front wheels only via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.Claimed fuel economy for the combined (ADR 81/02 - urban, extra-urban) cycle is 5.7L/100km, with a CO2 emissions figure of 130g/km.Active safety features include ABS, BA, EBD, stability and traction controls, a reversing camera (with dynamic guidelines), ‘Active Brake Assist’ (Merc-speak for AEB), ‘Adaptive Brake’, ‘Attention Assist’, ‘Blind Spot Assist’, ‘Cross-wind Assist’, ‘Lane Keep Assist’, ‘Adaptive Highbeam Assist’, a tyre pressure warning system, the ‘Pre-Safe’ accident anticipatory system, and ‘Traffic Sign Assist’.If all that fails to prevent an impact you’ll be protected by nine airbags (front, pelvis and window for driver and front passenger, side airbags for rear seat occupants and a driver’s knee bag), and the ‘Active Bonnet’ automatically tilts to minimise pedestrian injuries.Mercedes-Benz covers its passenger car range with a three year/unlimited km warranty with ‘Mercedes-Benz Road Care’ assistance included for three years.Service is scheduled for 12 months/25,000km (whichever comes first) with pricing available on an ‘Up-front’ or ‘Pay-as-you-go’ basis.

Meet the world’s most aerodynamically efficient passenger car. Mercedes-Benz says the drag co-efficient for this new sedan version of its fourth-generation A-Class is the lowest ever measured for a passenger vehicle.Which is quite a claim, but you only have to look at it to see how much work has gone into marrying good looks with slippery aero performance.The A-Class sedan is substantially longer and fractionally taller than its hatchback sibling, but does that mean it’s better, or simply different?

Mercedes-Benz says the drag co-efficient for the sedan version of its fourth-generation A-Class is the lowest ever measured for a passenger vehicle.At a bit over 4.5m long, a fraction under 1.8m wide, and close to 1.5m tall it’s 130mm longer and 6.0mm higher than the hatch version.And the reason we’re all here is the boot, the sedan’s extra length translating to an additional 60 litres of luggage space for a total cargo volume of 430 litres (VDA).The A-Class sedan is launching with two variants, the A 200 at $49,400, before on-road costs, and the entry-level A 180 at $44,900.Standard equipment for the A 180 runs to 17-inch alloy wheels, ‘Artico’ faux leather upholstery, the ‘MBUX’ widescreen cockpit display (two 10.25-inch digital screens), auto LED headlights and DRLs, keyless entry and start, auto-dimming rearview mirror, climate-control, sat nav, multi-function sports steering wheel, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, ‘Active Parking Assist’ (with ultrasonic proximity sensors front and rear), tinted glass, plus nine-speaker, 225W audio with digital radio, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.Power is supplied by a 1.3-litre direct-injection four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine delivering 100kW (at 5500rpm) and 200Nm (at 1460rpm). Drive goes to the front wheels only via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.Claimed fuel economy for the combined (ADR 81/02 - urban, extra-urban) cycle is 5.7L/100km, with a CO2 emissions figure of 130g/km.Active safety features include ABS, BA, EBD, stability and traction controls, a reversing camera (with dynamic guidelines), ‘Active Brake Assist’ (Merc-speak for AEB), ‘Adaptive Brake’, ‘Attention Assist’, ‘Blind Spot Assist’, ‘Cross-wind Assist’, ‘Lane Keep Assist’, a tyre pressure warning system, the ‘Pre-Safe’ accident anticipatory system, and ‘Traffic Sign Assist’.If all that fails to prevent an impact you’ll be protected by nine airbags (front, pelvis and window for driver and front passenger, side airbags for rear seat occupants and a driver’s knee bag), and the ‘Active Bonnet’ automatically tilts to minimise pedestrian injuries.Mercedes-Benz covers its passenger car range with a three year/unlimited km warranty with ‘Mercedes-Benz Road Care’ assistance included for three years.Service is scheduled for 12 months/25,000km (whichever comes first) with pricing available on an ‘Up-front’ or ‘Pay-as-you-go’ basis.

Craig Jamieson road tests and reviews the Mercedes-Benz A-Class with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its Australian launch.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used 1997 – 2013 Mercedes A-Class.

Status symbols don't get any more prominent than a new prestige car parked in the driveway.

For years, tuning house AMG has been fitting large, loud V8s into Mercedes and turning swanky buyers into tyre-shredding louts.

After someone asks me what car I'm driving, the next thing they ask is invariably, “What's it like?'' When the answer to the first question is, “a Mercedes'', then the answer to the second one is invariable too: “The older I get, the more I like them.''There are two thoughts at work here. First, that the finely calibrated discrimination of maturity is required to appreciate their qualities; like stilton or single malt, perhaps. But also, and more ambiguously for the brand, that Mercedes are old people's cars.The image of Mercedes as a venerable maker of ponderous limousines is something it has been trying to shrug off for decades. It has no choice because the prestige car market has been changing. Luxury buyers increasingly demand smaller cars and non-luxury buyers increasingly demand, well, luxury.Then there's the issue of tighter and tighter emissions regulations, which are impossible to meet without small cars in your line-up.In some ways Mercedes was an early mover here. Its first crack at the small market was the A-Class from 15 years ago. However, it was not a happy birth. The tall tiddler famously failed a swerve-to-avoid manoeuvre known as the “elk test'', undertaken by a specialist magazine, and needed a PR rearguard action to avoid disaster.“The prospects for premium compact cars have never been better,'' Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche said when revealing the car last year. “We expect global demand to grow by more than four million units over the next 10 years.''Capturing some of those extra buyers is essential to Mercedes' goal of regaining No 1 spot in luxury sales by the end of the decade. “A stands for attack,'' Zetsche said, with 50 per cent of buyers expected to be new to the brand.At the Melbourne launch local chief Horst von Sanden was confident of selling 200 a month, many more than the previous A and B-Class put together. It will be a challenge for the dealer network, as Merc novitiates would demand the full three-pointed star treatment.“It's very important that we treat these newcomers to the brand like every loyal Mercedes customer would be treated,'' he said. “Although we have some aggressive and attractive pricing, they still accept a premium price, and for that they want something special.''VALUEThat price starts at $35,600, which is lower than the original 15 years ago. It sent a shiver through its rivals. Additional cost reassurance comes in the shape of a $1383 service contract to cover the first 50,000km or more than three years for an average driver. Who says Europeans are expensive to run?Equipment levels, however, would make a Merc buyer of only a decade ago recoil with envy. All cars are fitted with a seven-speed double-clutch automatic, so that's standard, so is useful stuff such as auto headlights and for the spatially challenged, a semi-automatic parking system. There are classy features such as ambient lighting and illuminated door sills.One feature much touted at last year's reveal was a high level of integration with Apple's iPhone. However, this requires a special kit that has yet to be confirmed for Australia. There's Bluetooth, but a $2990 option pack is needed for internet, digital radio and 10 gigabyte music storage.It's clear where costs have been cut. The leather is artificial unless you pay extra -- bundled with other bits it's $2490. Many levels have cheap racket seat adjustment and when the soft textures run out the plastics are any-level hatchback.DESIGNAn accessible price is just the start. Other A-Class lures are a combination of traditional Merc virtues and something new. The design is in-your-face, with large lights and grille the most conspicuous elements of a bulbous front end. There are pronounced style creases along the flanks, very much design du jour, while the rear is anonymous enough to be almost any small hatch. It's bold but not beautiful.The cabin is more successful. The surfaces are clean and uncluttered; there are soft textures at dash level and some below. The wands feel quality; so do the gearshift paddles and satin metallic highlights around door handles and vents. The button-gear and steering wheel are standard-issue Merc, a plus. A crisp control screen looks expensive. The boot looks big enough but the finish is not at mainstream Merc standards.TECHNOLOGYFor 2013, kit debuted only a few years ago on Merc's tech spearhead, the S-Class, has trickled down to the A. Of four engines on offer the turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol is quickest by far but requires buying into the Sport trim and comes with some drawbacks. Its bass soundtrack has a thrumminess at constant revs and the quicker Sport steering is too quick, if anything.SAFETYFor many, Mercedes' reputation for safety will be a wallet winner and the A-Class has form here, having introduced electronic stability control to the segment in 1997. It also has a collision prevention system that alerts the driver and primes the brakes if it senses imminent impact with a car in front at speeds above 30km/h.DRIVINGIts Sport suspension struggles to control body movements on Australian country roads and the ride quality is brittle. The high-output version of the 1.6-litre in the A200 is quieter and slower but easier to live with. It has enough get up and go, and actually sounds terrific when you push it. I preferred the steering and suspension set-up.The 1.8-litre diesel in the A200 CDI won't kid you into mistaking it for a petrol engine, as some do, but it does pull strongly and for long hauls would be worth considering. One problem for all the cars was a bit more tyre noise than expected, a common problem among European imports. It was one reason the A-Class doesn't deliver the serenity you expect in a Merc.VERDICTThere's enough brand feel-good to make this a convincing junior Merc. And as the young brand adopters get older, they'll have acquired a taste for full-strength versions.NEED TO KNOWPrice: From $35,600 (A180) to $49,900 (A250) plus on-road costsEngines: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol (A180, A200); 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel (A200 CDI); 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol (A250)Transmission: Seven-speed automatic, front-wheel driveThirst: 4.6l/100km combined (A200 CDI); 5.8-6.6l/100km combined (petrol), CO2 135g/km

It’s no secret that Mercedes-Benz Australia wants to compete in the affordable small-car market in this country. Well, in the top end of the affordable market - you wouldn't expect the iconic German luxury marque wanting to be down amongst the cut-throat entry-level Asian cars.This small Mercedes-Benz will appeal to the young and the young at heart. A combination of style and image means that something like 1000 Aussie buyers have already shown a serious interest in it, an interest likely to result in many names on dotted lines. If you’re halfway interested it might be an idea to get in touch with your local Mercedes dealer soon to avoid a waiting list.In September an extra-hot A45 AMG will be introduced. The ’45’ doesn’t stand for the engine size but to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the founding of AMG, the hot ‘tuning’ arm of the Mercedes-Benz group. Expect a price tag in the vicinity of $80,000.We attended the global launch of the A-Class in Europe midway through last year. Now the car has made it downunder - and has a price list starting at just $35,600 plus on-roads for the A 180.Despite that low price, for its upmarket class that is, the Mercedes A-Class is certainly not a stripped down special aimed at pulling customers into the showroom in the hope of selling them.Every model in the range has alloy wheels, cruise control, sports seats, a trip computer, a minimum of six speakers in the audio system, active park assist and a reversing camera, and an electric parking brake.The A-Class is almost an iPhone on wheels with the way it lets you communicate and/or entertain its occupants. Expect the features to become available on the bigger Benz models soon, but the A-Class has them first.All are automatics, using a seven-speed double-clutch transmission. Power comes from a choice of turbo-petrol or turbo-diesel engines. The petrol is a 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit in two stages of tune; producing 90 kW of power and 200 Nm of torque in the A 180, and 115 kW / 250 Nm in the A 200.The A 200 diesel’s peak figures are 100 kW and 300 Nm.We reported on the A 250 Sport two weeks ago on a separate launch. Its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine has 155 kW and 350 Nm.The third-generation A-Class has moved in a completely new direction – from being quirky at its 1997 launch to becoming a leading-edge contender for top marks in the automotive fashion scene.New Mercedes A-Class will sell on style alone. Just look at the bold front that carries more than passing styling cues to the high-performance AMG Gullwing SLS and Roadster. Then admire the way the style lines on the doors swoop up boldly to almost join the taillights.The all-new A-Class isn’t just about style; under that shapely skin it has the features you just don’t see in this class. Because in luxury, connectivity and safety it’s as well equipped as its big brothers.Mercedes has fitted the A-Class with multiple crash avoidance items of the type previously only found in much more expensive Mercs. Lane departure, blind-spot and tailgating warnings are all offered. Should everything still go wrong, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class has occupant protection systems to minimise harm to occupants.You are given the choice of multiple driving modes ranging from sedate to sporting. This isn’t really intended to be a sports hatch – at least not until you get into the A 250 – but if a keen driver turns on all the correct settings in the lower cost models it gives them plenty of driving pleasure.New Mercedes A-Class has a nicely balanced feel and almost gives the dynamics of a rear-wheel-drive car. Throttle control is easy and the steering feedback is excellent. Yet, even with the sports setting turned on the car didn’t lose a lot in comfort, even on some of the interesting backroad Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific chose for our initial drive program out of Melbourne.