Talking further On Mercedes-Benz all-new A-Class hatch – just the A200 hatch at this stage at $47,200 – followed by the all-wheel-drive A250 at year end, the entry A180 early next year and then by a striking A-Class sedan in the second quarter that will be very well received. The A-Class body has been tweaked, 120mm longer, 16mm wider on a 30mm longer wheelbase and its 20 kilos lighter. Rear legroom like most in its class is still tight however. A new 1.33 turbo petrol engine, a collaboration with Renault and built by Mercedes offers a very lively performance mated to a seven- speed automatic – ride quality is a standout for a small premium hatch more so on the car I drove with the optional AMG Exclusive package which adds $3,190. This adds independent rear suspension with adaptive dampers that provide comfort or sport mode and it’s well worth the money – to be honest I can’t recall a small hatch with a finer ride. On the open road this week this option package made the new Mercedes A-200 hatch a delight to drive – a front driver and highly communicative through a flat bottomed steering wheel that falls nicely to hand. However, its
intelligent voice technology that gives this premium new A-Class hatch the real edge. Mercedes suggest it provides an emotional link between vehicle, driver and passengers – introduce yourself as “Hey Mercedes” and the intelligent voice control lets you ask for changes to radio station and volume, cabin temperature and a host of control adjustments – it makes for very safe motoring. I’m David Berthon

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