Hi-tech Benz carries the day

It’s goodbye to revolution and hello to evolution as Mercedes-Benz’s fourth-generation A-Class lands on New Zealand’s roads. But, writes David Thomson, don’t think for a moment that signals any lack of innovation with the latest iteration of this compact hatchback. Long-standing fans of the Mercedes-Benz will recall the stir caused by the original A-Class when it appeared in 1997. Curiously upright and imaginatively packaged, it was a radical vehicle for its time. It secured over a million sales worldwide before a successor model hit the streets in 2004. Another million-plus seller, that A-Class was replaced by a more conservative and appreciably larger third-generation model in 2012. The new fourth-generation A-Class is larger again. It positions visually as a conventional hatchback, with pretty styling and neat detailing, including the new-look ‘‘predator face’’ nose that is set to spread across the Mercedes range. But the most interesting and innovative features of the new A-Class are not visible from the outside. They include the new MFA2 platform on which it is built. Stiffer and lighter than the previous A-Class platform, MFA2 will play a key role as Mercedes expands its compact-models range over the next few years. Then there is the engine: despite its badge, the A200 is powered by a new 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol motor. Combining solid performance with strong economy, and driving the front wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, it musters 120kW and 220Nm, and a 5.7l/100km return on the standard economy cycle. That sets the scene for pretty simple Kiwi A-Class range initially: just the one A200 variant priced at $60,900. Further variants will follow, including an all-wheel-drive A250 version later this year and an AMG performance flagship. In the meantime, the A200 is customisable with a range of extra-cost option packs. The test car featured several of these, lifting its price to $71,150. Standard exterior features on the A200 include 18-inch alloys, a twin-pipe exhaust and LED headlights and running lights. Inside there is Mercedes’ new MBUX multimedia system, sports front seats in Artico trim, push-button start, a nine-speaker sound system, wireless charging, climate control air-conditioning and 40:20:40 split folding rear seats. The A200 safety suite includes active braking and lane-keeping assistance, active parking assistance and blind sport monitoring. Manual rather than adaptive radar cruise control is fitted, with the absence of the latter a disappointing omission. On the test car, the communication pack added a premium 12-speaker audio and head up display, while a seat comfort pack provided heated power front seats. The exclusive pack added seat chilling as well as heating, dual-zone climate, a 64-colour menu for ambient lighting and premium leather trim. The vision pack added auto-dipping LED headlights, a panorama sunroof and 360-degree camera. As you open the door, an interior quality focus is immediately apparent in the range of textured soft-touch surfaces, patterned inserts and overall fit and finish. Dominated by an expansive double-width widescreen digital display and turbine-like air vents, the dash gives a futuristic feel. Part of a new Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, the double-width display actually comprises two separate screens: one for features such as the sat-nav and radio and the other replaces the traditional analogue instrument cluster. The cabin’s advanced feel is added to by the haptic controller that sits at the base of the centre console, to operate the MBUX system. But while nifty enough, that controller is nowhere near as futuristic the A-Class’ driver voice-control system. ‘‘Hi Mercedes,’’ are the magic words one must utter to activate this particular aspect of MBUX. From there, the car can be verbally instructed to carry out various tasks, from opening the roof’s sunblind to telling you what the weather is like today or will be like tomorrow. Initial impressions are of a turbocharged 1.3-litre engine that provides linear acceleration with minimal turbo lag. Mercedes quotes a reasonably brisk 0-100kmh sprint time of 8.0 seconds. Mechanical refinement is fine when cruising, but its tendency to become vocal when the rev counter flicks 3500rpm can be irksome given the A200’s premium positioning. Like the engine, the dual clutch automated transmission has its pluses and minuses. The upsides include smooth upshifts when cruising or pressing on at highway speeds and the ability to produce similarly seamless downshifts when the paddle-shift controls are deployed. Shifting isn’t always as smooth at round-town speeds, and on occasion the car does allow the revs to creep higher than seems optimal before shifting. Selecting comfort or economy drive mode rather than sport does diminish, though not entirely eliminate, this trait. Yet when all is said and done, it’s not the way it drives that defines the A200 as an impressive car. Rather, it stands out for excellent interior design and finely executed technology features that feel well ahead of their time..