Mercedes-Benz Clase A Sedan

[Inkriql]

When C.C. He told me that I had the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan to test, I did what I always do: search the Autoblog for the data that is published, to get in the car with the basic information of the vehicle. It is not chupamedias or obsequent, but my first source of information is always this blog. Upon entering the release note (see here), I remembered that the first thing that had caught my attention is that it did not look like a Hatchback Class A and, even less, gave the feeling of being a Segment C car (compact) .

When I was approached from the parking lot at the offices of Mercedes-Benz Argentina in Munro, I asked again: is it really a Segment C? I drove the A Sedan 200 Progressive for $ 45,000 a week. The full critique and the answers to the questions I have already asked (I hope) are in the note that is reproduced below.

OUT

I wrote it just now and I repeat it: the first feeling is that it is a bigger car than it is. It will be because the profile reminds me of the current Class C and Class E, with the tail down, following the line of the window until it reaches the edge of the trunk. The A Sedan is just over 4.5 meters long, with a very long front overhang: almost a meter measured from the center of the front tire, and a low height: just 1,446 mm. I read several of you in the note “In the Garage” (see) commenting that they did not like the design, something that I disagree with, since I suffered from love at first sight with the Class A Sedan but, as I always say, we thank have different tastes, because otherwise this world would be very boring.

The tires are 17 inches in the Progressive model, which is what we tested. They come from 16 ″ in the Style version and 18 ″ in the A250 AMG Line model. The headlights are LED "High Performance" with a striking design: they are almost a wedge that are getting into the side. The tested model does not come with sunroof or sunroof.

After a long time I saw a Cx (Aerodynamic coefficient) figure again on a technical sheet (download below). And of course, it is not for less, since this sedan has a Cx of 0.22, matching the mark of the CLA Class.

INSIDE

To enter the A-Class sedan you have to bend down. Yes, it is low: very low. It doesn't seem until we open the door and face to sit down. The regulation of the seat is also in height with which I celebrate being able to go as close to the floor as possible, something that I always look for in all the cars I drive.

The steering wheel has height and depth regulation, and a lot of travel in both cases, so finding the ideal driving position is just a matter of regulations. The upholstery of the seats is a mix of Arctic leather with Fleron fabric. It must be recognized that Mercedes-Benz engineers took great pains in name marketing.

In front of me: the digital screen that goes from end to end of the board and incorporating the multimedia system of the central console. Yes, all in one “glass”. During the week I drove Class A Sedan I took several people.

Some out of curiosity - "oops, you take me for a ride" - and others for work or family outings. Everyone commented on the screen. Good, bad, but nobody stopped talking about her. To me? I love it, both for the display of information, the ease of reading and the variety of data that I can see or stop seeing as I prefer. One thing could comment in a non-positive way: it gets very easy if we use it as "touch".

Yes, I know: I have the pad on the console to handle it from there, but understand that I am a bit clumsy with those systems and my heavy fingers live by clicking when I really want to move.

The steering wheel, perhaps with a few centimeters in diameter for my taste, comes with a wide variety of buttons and shortcuts to functionalities. Mr. Mercedes-Benz, can I ask you something? I would add a lot that the lower part of the steering wheel is straight, especially for those of us who like to have everything well "short." Thank you.

The rear has a good place for two passengers. Three will be comfortable, although somewhat short in width. It has no rear ventilation outlets, but it does have two USB sockets. A detail that happened to us with the B-Class: Mercedes-Benz has already taken a step and all the USB sockets are of the C-mini type. A norm and model that, although it has been expanding, is not usual or common yet in Argentina. That's why the car comes with an adapter cable kit for all kinds of "normal" sockets, such as USB A, B and ... those "special" people, who are Apple users.

The air conditioning can be operated from keys or from the multimedia screen. Also with a key on the base of the center console we access the different engine / transmission configuration programs in Sport / ECO / Normal mode and a custom one, which a certain tester of this blog always puts everything in “recontra Sport”.

The trunk is spacious and comes with the tire repair kit under the floor. We do not like that system and less in our country, where it is more normal to break a rubber than to prick it. Likewise, it is worth noting that it is equipped with a tire pressure control system.

SECURITY

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan comes standard with front, side, front knee kneebags and windowbags. To this is added the ESP, ABS with Adpative Break that also includes help in starting a slope and active emergency brake booster, traction control, and Attention Assist, which monitors driver fatigue.

At the moment, there are no independent crash tests for this Class A Sedan.

MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION

The tested version has a turbocharged 1,332cc inline four-cylinder engine, with a power of 163 hp at 5,500 RPM and a torque of 250 Nm between 1,620 and 4,000 RPM. It is the same engine of his brother hatchback and Class B tested a few weeks ago in this blog (see review).

The transmission is 7-speed, automatic with double clutch 7G-DCT, according to the Mercedes-Benz nomenclature.

In our country we also offer version 2.0 of 224 HP, but only in the A250 AMG-Line model. In that case the transmission remains the same. The traction in all versions is front.

The arrival of the AMG versions is expected next year, although they will start first with the A 35 AMG Hatchback.

BEHAVIOR

As in other Mercedes-Benz long front overhangs, being kind in the gutters will be grateful for the bottom of the trunk. With the mind already set with this point, we went out to walk. Visibility is very good everywhere. Although I have been sitting well under all the mirrors, they perfectly fulfill their function and the passengers do not disturb more than normal in any car.

In town it moves well. Although the cobblestones are not your favorite terrain, there are no strange noises or movements of the suspensions or interior. You only feel a certain roughness in the walk. Donkey loins must be affectionate and prudent, we have touched with the belly (of the car, do not be bad), in some underground parking exit or on the back in a false square.

The automatic transmission also performs great in sequence, but I almost never use the boxes in that way: I consider that the electronics are intelligent and advanced enough to carry the car in its best form and performance. Also, returning with the problems of this tester, I never get used to the cams behind the wheel.

The multimedia system allows you to connect the cell phone via Android Auto or Apple Car Play. The A-Class Sedan also has a wireless charger for cell phones and Linguatronic, with which I have entertained “chatting” several times with the artificial intelligence system: “Hey, Mercedes!”.

Returning to driving, en route is a pleasure. It goes straight, smooth, pushes when needed and at times it does not seem that it was the same class B engine-transmission set. Consumption is not high: at 120 km / h we average 4.6 liters per 100 kilometers and in the city we were in 7.7 liters per 100 kilometers. The maximum speed we measured was 229 km / h.

What would we ask for? Perhaps some extra items, such as the adaptive cruise speed control or the lane or blind spot change alert for the mirrors, which we believe should be included for the price. It is already offered by much cheaper vehicles.