Mercedes-Benz, fresh class: A

Fresh grade A. And grade?

Never! I said: Never touch a running system!

Never touch a running system. In the IT industry, people know this principle and stick to it. Funnily enough, that was also the introduction to our driving report on the facelift of the A-Class. The article went online yesterday. Then we (mab) played with the web host’s “running system”; the goal was more speed and more performance when accessing the website. In the end, we were faced with an inaccessible system and had to import a backup - so yesterday's articles were lost. Never touch a running system - we did not observe the principle and are therefore rewriting the driving report for the A-Class (MOPF). And Mercedes-Benz? Did they also ignore the principle when updating their A-Class and were punished?

Driving report and presentation of the A-Class after their update

More of everything

When Mercedes turned the A-Class on its head three years ago, the innovative but rather unworthy-looking mini-van concept became a classic compact. Sounds unimaginative, but the current A-Class achieved a whopping conquest rate of 66%, i.e. 66% of A buyers have not driven an A-Class before. And whopping sales figures. Unlike the IT industry, the automotive industry has to constantly rethink its products. The competition is tough – and a tough challenge, especially in the “golf segment”. So time for Mercedes-Benz to give the A-Class a fresh update. Fresh Class A! More of everything, but little change in design!

Torch and exhaust

The design was only slightly touched. At the front, the LED daytime running lights have lost their rough pixels and the lights are now also available with full LED technology. The apron has been tightened slightly, looks more sporty and the exhaust design of the B-Class and thus the current Mercedes design, consisting of fake exhaust tips and windy diffusers, moved in at the rear. In addition, the graphics of the rear lights changed. Even if the A-Class now looks even sportier, mechanically, the main focus is on comfort. Probably the most important update cannot be seen, only felt!

Pampering in the Saxon Switzerland

For the first test drive, Mercedes has chosen a route between Dresden and the Saxon Switzerland. The equally fresh and additionally strengthened A45 AMG was allowed to compete at the Lausitzring, but in addition more in a separate driving report.

Not shaken, not stirred, comfortably steamed! 

While the A-Class has previously been accused of taking the company's new sporty touch a little too seriously, the new adaptive chassis, which is unfortunately only available as an option, now serves as a friend of comfort and still successfully manages the balancing act towards handiness . Driving dynamics switches are currently in fashion. Change your character at the touch of a button. Mercedes-Benz has now also implemented the “Drive Select button” for the A-Class. Without the adaptive dampers, there is still the possibility of adapting the accelerator pedal characteristic and the steering. Damping and shift programs are also adjusted using adaptive dampers and the 7-speed dual clutch transmission.

Mercedes-Benz A 200d DCT 4matic - test drive

In addition to the new engines, an A 160 with a cute 102 PS petrol engine (A160d and 90 PS, this is the Renault Nissan Diesel, known as 1.5 dCi) and an A180 BEE (Blue Efficiency) diesel engine with the minimum consumption of 3.5 Liter there are also the well-known 2.1 liter diesel engines. Luckily. We drove the A200 with its 136 PS and 300 Nm. That our test car was equipped with the 4 matic drive, we have noticed nothing of it and the all-wheel drive is superfluous in everyday life. Much more useful is the double clutch with seven gears.

The fresh A-Class now takes country roads noticeably more relaxed. The comfort is now what you would expect from a “Daimler” and even if it is only the smallest one with a star. The DCT deserves an extra star. In comfort mode it shifts discreetly, in eco mode it keeps the engine at low revs and in sport mode it flips through the seven gears with gusto! The 136 hp diesel doesn't sound like the adventure of the big wide world and isn't something you can brag about at the regulars' table. But the A 200 d in particular appears to be a really sensible engine option. Strong enough, but - without 4 matic - as a 6-speed manual switch at €28.684,95 still under the 30 kilo limit. However, adding the 7-speed DCT breaks this limit. The 4matic variant of the 200 d gets the 7-speed DCT included, but starts at €33.064,15 [who actually makes these prices?]

More comfort, more smartphone

Feels like it sits in row one now better. Thanks to an optional seat comfort package, it is possible to order an extendable thigh support. The headroom was not changed and also on the rear seat, the space remains rather below average. The all-round visibility has also not improved, but there is a rear-view camera and their image is on the new, now once again grown by a centimeter display so really sharp.

This freestanding multimedia display has become accustomed to it now, it belongs to the A-Class and gives you an unobstructed view, free from distractions. That the display grew, you hardly notice. That it is still not touch to use, but annoying. Especially since Mercedes-Benz finally brings (from the beginning of 2016!) Apple Car-Play and Androids Mirror-Link in series.

At Mercedes-Benz you do not want to leave the user with the choice. One is convinced, the turn-push button and the voice control are more useful. This is a pity, because in the interior is this point, ignored some hard plastic stains in the door paneling, the last serious criticism.

That will not be cheap!

A look at the price list causes an overkill of options. There are the motorizations on the one hand, the connection of 4matic and DCT on the other. The A 200 does not get the chance to use the DCT as a diesel or a gasoline engine, but is delivered with the six-speed box. The DCT series is only available as a 4 matic. Or you can use the 177 hp A 220d, then DCT is always standard. However - if you jump over this hurdle, you have to make a decision. Is he the urban type or rather the style type? Or would you prefer AMG Line and a gym design? And only then does the detailed price list begin. And again there are packages and individual options. Studying the price list can take an entire morning. One thing is clear: 200 d is the all-purpose weapon, 4 matic is not necessary, but DCT must be on board 😉 - all right?

Conclusion: grade A +:

Mercedes offers premium. Not just in terms of prices, but also in terms of vehicles. You can definitely experience that. The manageable changes in the appearance show that the design was not wrong. The fact that driving comfort is being reconsidered and traditional driving comfort is being brought back to the foreground will not only please the 66% of new customers. In the end, one thing remains certain: With this fresh update, the A-Class has received the a+ quality rating and that you can definitely optimize a “running system” - well, the Stuttgart-based company has proven that to us!

The vehicle registration for the A-Class as A 200d DCT 4matic