 |
| Mercedes A-Class 2016 |
Three years had passed since 2012 when Mercedes-Benz released the ongoing A-Class, a car that had nothing to do with its successor in both design and technology departments, previewed in April 2011 by the Concept A-Class presented in Shanghai.
After more than six months of spyshots taken while A-Class facelift test mules were undergoing pre-production testing, Mercedes-Benz released official photos and info on their compact offspring.
Talking about pictures, let's address the appearance chapter first, although not much has changed here. As the previous batch of spyshots suggested, the revised 2016 A-Class can enjoy upgraded bumpers, a diamond grille along with subtle touch-ups for the lighting blocks graphics and optional LED headlights.
The engines
We're more interested in what the compact holds under the hood because Mercedes operated some changes in this district. To start with, the A 160 carrying 102 HP is the new entry-level model in the A-Class. The 1.6-liter unit delivers 180 Nm (133 lb-ft) of torque but it's not the most efficient in the range.
For clients mad about fuel efficiency, the facelifted A-Class can be had as an A 180 d BlueEFFICIENCY version. This variant promises a 3.5 l/100 km (67.2 mpg US) average fuel consumption figure, but also good performance, as the 1.5-liter turbodiesel brings 109 HP and 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) of torque to the table.
Further on in the diesel zone, the A 200 d version comes with a 2.1-liter diesel unit good for 136 HP and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft), while the A 220 d derivative offers the same 2.1-liter mill but with 177 HP and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft).
The same seven-speed 7G-DCT transmission is available, although now it boasts the "Launch Assist" feature, for faster acceleration from a standstill.
The petrol gang is made up of the A 160, A 180, A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Edition and A 200 plus A 220, versions that offer power outputs between 102 HP and 184 HP. Higher up the ladder sits the A 250 variant (211 HP) and the A 250 Sport guise (218 HP), overseen by the hardcore 381 HP A45 AMG pocket-rocket.
Inside
On the inside, the A-Class facelift hints at a CLA-inspired approach in terms of design cues and arrangement, but we'll let the photos do the talking here. The infotainment system supports Apple's Car Play and MirrorLink.
Also, Mercedes tells us "on request the screen diagonal now measures 20.3 cm (8 inches), making it at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) larger than before". The revamped A-Class can be ordered starting with July 3, so expect the first models to arrive in showrooms around the end of September.
