By: Stuart Johnston
Cape Town - Car launches are events to showcase all the new features of a new model, so that us scribes can impart our knowledge and experience and, hopefully, enable our readers to make a better-informed choice next time the buying-bug bites.
In the case of the revised A-Class from Mercedes-Benz, I was particularly keen to see whether the ride quality improvement experienced in Germany last September translated to South African conditions, as the revised A-Class has now gone on sale here.
The short answer is: Yes, specifically on the all-wheel drive A45, while on the lesser front-wheel drive models, the difference is not likely to be as marked. And, specifically on the A250 model we tested in the bumpy route between Red Hill and Scarborough in the Western Cape, I have to confess I found the ride just as jarring as it was before, despite playing with the new Dynamic Select electronic system designed to fix this.
This system, similar to the one on the larger C-Class, adjusts steering feel, throttle response, transmission response and suspension. To do this you simply push a console button for the modes to scroll between Comfort, Sport, Eco and Individual settings.
However, the bit that is still not crystal clear after the revised A-Class launch is how much difference the system makes on various models. In the case of the high-performance A45 AMG, there was the feeling, even at the initial 2013 launch, that the AMG version had a better ride quality than the 250 with the sports package, for example.
In perusing the media release issued at the launch, mention is made of an “optional” adaptive damping system, but this wasn’t fitted to the specific A 45 I tried on the corrugations and ripples on tar roads peculiar to Cape Point area, this past week. I really enjoyed the good manners of the car over this rugged terrain. The adaptive system mentioned is only due for release here in a few months’ time.
With the Sport mode selected on the new improved A45 one could definitely feel things firm up, while Comfort was the best choice for bumpy secondary roads. Essentially the A250 Sport (sampled on similar roads) is too stiff, suspension-wise, for South African roads, and it remains so despite fiddling with the new electronic mode buttons. In the suspension department, it seemed to make little difference as far as bump absorption and chassis deflection. However, to be fair, on the Killarney race track where we enjoyed some hot laps, the A250 Sport was very competent on what is essentially a very smooth surface. It turned in nicely and put its power down well.
HARDCORE A45 AMG
On track the A45 AMG is impressive in many respects. It may not be as crisp on turn-in as the very top-drawer competitors are in its class, but mid-corner it puts its power down amazingly, hauling to the next corner at great speed.
Speed isn’t something you are going to find wanting in the new A45, as power output has now risen from 265kW to 280kW, with a stonking 475Nm of torque making sure that all-wheel-drive 4Matic drive system keeps all four wheels fully employed during hard acceleration.
For the record, the new AMG conceived A45 does a claimed 0-100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds, and that’s quite incredible for a hatchback, and a four-cylinder one at that.
CHANGES ACROSS THE BOARD
The other models in the range are the A200 petrol, A200d and the A220d. These models, incidentally, are all listed in the specification list as enjoying the option of ‘raised suspension’, presumably a nod to the increasingly bumpy conditions we’re subjected to as roads in many parts of the country fall into disrepair. Dynamic Select is not standard on the A200 and the A200d.
With the A-Class having been a phenomenal sales success for Mercedes, it was a given that not much would be visually changed for this facelift model. A new bumper is more arrow-shaped, and a diamond mesh grille is now standard on all models, except the AMG gets two horizontal bars leading out from the three-pointed star. New lights are also fitted front and rear. LED units are an optional extra and there is an new valance with a more angled exhaust outlet.
Inside the instrumentation has been re-jigged, and there is a larger, optional 20.3cm screen on offer for infotainment.
There are a host of new finishes and trim levels now on offer, including new wheel designs ranging from 16-inch to 19-inch sizings. Incidentally, there is a special silver Mercedes AMG Petronas version listed as a Motorsport Editionavailable to order on all models other than the AMG car, and this is very striking indeed, with its special wheels, aero pack and large-diameter black rims with petrol-green detailing.
BOTTOM LINE
The verdict on the revised car? Check out the suspension offerings (and wheel and tyre sizings) very carefully on the model you want to buy, and make sure you get the one that suits you.
In my view, every model in the A-Class range should have the new, complete suspension package I sampled in the A45, because it truly gives you a combination of race-sharp smooth road handling and an ease of bodily internal organs when the surface gets really bumpy.
PRICES
A200 - 115kW/250Nm - R391 252
A200 d - 100kW/300Nm - R419 200
A220 d - 130kW/350Nm - R460 100
A250 Sport - 160kW/350Nm - R493 860
A45 4Matic - 280kW/475Nm - R688 833
A-CLASS vs RIVALS
Petrol:
Mercedes A250 Sport - 160kW/350Nm - R493 860
BMW 125i M Sport 5dr - 160kW/310Nm - R452 988
Diesel:
Mercedes A200d - 100kW/300Nm - R419 200
Audi A3 SB 2.0 TDI SE - 110kW/320Nm - R441 000
Volvo V40 D3 Momentum - 110kW/320Nm - R412 600