The latest A-Class
The latest A-Class
Mercedes-Benz has given its most popular UK model, the A-Class, a facelift.
And though it’s the German brand’s smallest and cheapest model, its significance to Mercedes-Benz’ UK presence is hugely important, which is why getting the facelift right is crucial for ongoing future sales success.
Boasting a fresh look and upgrades in terms of technology, plus introducing electrification to all petrol engines, the latest A-Class will go head-to-head with the likes of the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series in the hugely competitive premium hatchback market. The new 2023-model A-Class is due in Arnold Clark showrooms later this year.
Externally, there are subtle styling tweaks to both the saloon and hatchback. Look carefully and you’ll spot the front bumper now houses a slightly different lower grille opening. The main grille, meanwhile, has been reshaped, though the unmissable larger three-pointed star badge is still there.
There are also two new bulges on the bonnet, clearly designed to give the A-Class more of a ‘power look’, plus the range can now include alloys wheels up to 19 inches in size. Pop round to the rear and you’ll spot the new diffuser and brake light unit.
First things first… inside the cabin, the latest model retains the standard seven-inch screen and 10.25-inch display as found on the outgoing model. A pair of 10.25-inch displays remain available on the option list.
Crucially, however, what has changed is the actual infotainment system. Because the latest A-Class now gets the latest generation of MBUX, the display style can be changed between three different modes. ‘Classic’ shows the usual relevant driver information; ‘Sporty’ displays a more pronounced rev counter, and ‘Understated’ — not surprisingly — shows less information overall.
Thinking of making the switch to electric?
Of course, there’s the usual smartphone compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus the new MBUX system allows for the voice assistance to be ‘even more capable of dialogue and learning’, according to Mercedes. There’s also a fingerprint sensor and an additional USB-C port.
Yup. There’s a new ‘Driver Assistance Package’, which adds lane-keep assist and active steering control. Plus, the new A-Class also benefits from a ‘Parking Package’ which supports bay parking and offers a 360-degree camera to help with parking using 3D images.
There are indeed some new powertrains. And while every petrol engine is now electrified, a seven-speed or eight-speed automatic gearbox is also standard. In terms of the electrification, Mercedes says its new mild-hybrid system, which includes a 48V motor, ‘supports agility when starting off with an extra 13bhp’.
The entry-level engine in the A180 develops 134bhp and 230Nm of torque from its mild-hybrid, 1.3-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine. Capable of a top speed of 134mph, it’ll cover 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds. Expect between 44.1 and 48.7mpg at the pumps. Next up, the A200, uses the same engine, but gains increased tuning to 161bhp and 270Nm of torque. Performance figures improve to 140mph and 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds.
If you need, or want, more performance, the A220 — fitted with the’ 4MATIC four-wheel drive system — is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine delivering 188bhp and 300Nm of torque. The 0-62mph time drops to 7.1 seconds, with max speed increasing to 146mph.
And there’s more. The A250, which again uses the same engine as the A220, shaves a further 0.8 seconds off the 0-62mph sprint, bringing it down to 6.3 seconds, with a max speed of 155mph.
There are. The entry-level A180d, which uses a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder unit, delivers 114bhp and 280Nm of torque. That’s good enough for 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds. Two other more powerful versions — the 148bhp A200d and 188bhp A220d — use retuned versions of the same engine.
Yes, there’s one of those too. The A250e now benefits from improved power, increasing 7bhp to 161bhp, with 270Nm of torque. Performance? 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds for the hatchback, with the saloon taking an additional 0.1 seconds.
More importantly, however, the A250e is now capable of 50 miles of pure-electric running (51 miles for the saloon). Charging has also increased from 7.4kW to 11kW, but that’s unlikely to be a benefit to most UK customers. Mercedes also claims the DC charge to 80% is unchanged, with an expected charge time of 25 minutes.
Well, we’ll need to wait a while yet. Mercedes has said it’ll release prices in the coming months. It’s fair to assume, though, that there will be a small increase on the current car’s entry price of £30,750.
