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Old 1st March 2021, 11:00   #1
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Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine Review

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine Review



This review has been jointly compiled with Chetan_Rao. Thanks to him for the expert observations!

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine will be launched in India on the March 25, 2021. Team-BHP was invited to the unveil and media drive. Below are our first impressions.

The 2021 A-Class Limousine (W177) is the new entry-level model from the German brand in India, replacing the previous generations of both, the A-Class hatchback and the CLA sedan. The car was first revealed in China back in 2018, with the announcement of bookings for the Indian market made at the Auto Expo 2020, only to be postponed due to the outbreak of the pandemic. Based on the MFA2 platform, shared internationally with the new A-Class hatchback, CLA-Class, GLA-Class, B-Class and GLB-Class, the Indian market is all set to receive the sedan, followed by the new GLA-Class later.

With the sedan, Mercedes attempts to address the biggest weakness of the previous attempts - practicality, without compromising too much on the style quotient. On paper - I agree with this move! Mercedes had a decent run with the MFA platform cars in India, despite luxury hatchbacks failing in the Indian market, and the CLA being a true coupe when it came to the cramped rear seat. Don’t let the ‘Limousine’ tag fool you though. We receive the regular wheelbase version (2,729 mm) as against the Chinese ‘L’ version with an additional 60 mm of wheelbase length. Indians love the rear seat, so maybe Mercedes got tense about positioning the upcoming C-Class? Direct rivals will include the BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe and the upcoming Audi A3 sedan, as well as bigger VFM sedans like the Skoda Superb and the Toyota Camry.

Why a sedan when SUVs dominate in the premium segment?

1. Mercedes claims sedans still contribute 53% of their sales

2. MFA cars have sold 22,000 units over the past 6 years in India

3. They believe the new A-Class sedan has a better positioning in the market than earlier generations. To appeal to first time luxury car buyers, Mercedes is also introducing an 8-year warranty on the engine and transmission that is also transferrable to the second owner.

At launch, the car will be offered in a single top-end trim (Progressive Line) with two engine options – a 1.3L, 161 BHP four cylinder turbo petrol and a 2.0L, 148 BHP turbo-diesel. Both are offered with dual clutch automatic transmissions - 7G DCT on the petrol and the 8G DCT on the diesel. For those who seek more performance, Mercedes will also offer an AMG version - the A35 powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine tuned to produce 302 BHP and 400 Nm - the second AMG model to be made in India! Safety options include 7 airbags, reverse and front parking assist, attention assist, active brake assist, pre-safe (which cocoons the cabin when a crash seems unavoidable), seatbelt reminders for all passengers, active bonnet for pedestrian safety etc. The 2018 A-Class hatchback was tested by the Euro NCAP and awarded a full 5 star rating, which is applicable to the sedan as well. Full report here.

Exterior


Like almost all new Mercedes cars, we find the A-Class sedan to be a good-looking machine, but not futuristic or exciting as the CLA once was! The design language, which Mercedes calls “Sensual Purity”, showcases minimal creases, should offend none and age gracefully:


The Indian version gets 15 mm more ground clearance than the European one. Not sure how that affects aerodynamics, but the international version with its reported 0.22 drag co-efficient is ranked the best among production cars:


At 4,549 mm long, this is a compact sedan with near C segment dimensions. To put that figure into perspective, 4,549 mm is the exact same length as that of the 5th generation Honda City. The wheelbase, however, is longer at 2,729 mm. Mercedes is clearly trying to prioritize cabin space here, though we don’t get the LWB version from the Chinese market with an additional 60 mm. That LWB version would've killed the C-Class:


Despite the small size, the Mercedes looks stately from the right angles. It gets the 'star' treatment from others, as we noticed on a couple of occasions:


The stubby rear 3/4th design and dimensions reminded us of the Suzuki Kizashi and Chevrolet Cruze:




Front grille design is reminiscent of the diamond-studded grille of the previous generation cars:


Alloy wheels look nicer from a distance than up close. These 'aero alloys' are a side-effect of the 0.22 drag co-efficient. Our test car came with Michelin Primacy 3MO in 205/55 R17, but we also spotted Bridgestone Turanza T005 RFT tyres in the media fleet:


Another probable compromise for the aerodynamics - ORVMs are smaller than we would have liked:


The A-Class sedan comes in 6 colour options - Denim Blue, Mojave Silver, Polar White, Mountain Grey, Iridium Silver and Cosmos Black. Point to note - only Polar White and Iridium Silver are offered with the option of black interiors. Here are the Mojave Silver and Cosmos Black options from the media fleet:




All-LED headlamps at the front, projectors for the low beam and reflectors for the high beam. No fog lamps, as Mercedes claim that they are not required anymore; this is the case with other new generation Mercedes cars:


LED tail-lamps with two inverted tick light guides:


Although we couldn't manage a night drive, the LED headlamps appeared to be on par with other new generation Mercedes cars:





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Interior


Step into the cabin, and you are greeted by a thoroughly modern Mercedes interior. It has a classy design, premium materials and the oh-so-sexy retro-style buttons on the console contrasting the dual 10.25-inch screens!

It's got features to match - with electrically adjustable front seats (including lumbar support) for both occupants with memory function, dual-zone air conditioning, MBUX infotainment with the latest-gen telematics (covered in a separate post), wireless charging and 5 (yes, FIVE!) USB-C ports spread across the cabin for the smartphone generation (a target audience that Mercedes emphasized on in their product briefing). A fairly large sunroof complements the premium experience.

What lets it down, however, is the mediocre cabin insulation. Both motors are audible in the cabin at idle (even when warmed up) and annoyingly so when revved beyond 2,500 rpm. Tyre noise seeps in too (even with soft Michelins on our test car). This is poor for a 'premium' vehicle.



The dash is finished in a combination of black and beige, with tastefully applied walnut wood trim (Mercedes calls it 'open-pore walnut') and classy, brushed aluminum has been used for certain design elements and inserts:


The electric parking brake is located next to the headlamp controls on the dashboard - not the most intuitive placement, in our opinion.

3-spoke, well-contoured steering is great to hold (could've been a size smaller though). Two sets of touch control buttons have been provided. The left spoke houses those for the infotainment system and the right one for the instrument cluster and cruise control. This seems adapted to RHD markets, as LHD oriented cars have the opposite orientation. We like the attention to detail!

Clean layout with great tactile feedback, with a throwback to the lovely 'Blackberry' style touchpad scroll button:


Things get really interesting at nightfall thanks to 64-colour ambient lighting, with mood and theatre effects:


Those who feel smart screens and lights are a distraction during night driving won't be pleased with this cabin. There is a veritable Diwali (festival of lights) inside! The lights can be controlled from the infotainment console (for those who wish to do so):


View of the passenger side lighting with some sporty red hues:


Turbine shaped AC vents illuminated from within look super cool. Twist the center knob to adjust airflow. A small amount of air gets through even in the fully closed position:




Both front seats are electrically adjustable and come with a memory function. Easy to find one's perfect driving position with the great adjustment range on offer. Seats and parts of the doorpad are upholstered in light cream Artico Beige. It will be challenging to maintain this in Indian conditions.

The driver's left knee fouls with the tall center console wall, unless resting straight ahead on the dead pedal. Frontal visibility is decent, but it could be hampered by the vertical cluster design in the case of shorter drivers or those preferring lower seating positions:


No organ-style pedals here. Clearly, this is no C-Class:


A closer look below at the walnut wood trim on the dashboard that has a lovely non-polished grainy texture. Aluminum inserts have been also used aplenty. Electrically adjustable seats with memory function provided for the passenger as well, so your spouse doesn't have to compromise or fiddle with an ancient 'danda' to adjust his / her seat. No such convenience for the steering wheel, which has to make do with manual adjustment:


Basic glovebox is deep, but not very spacious. It comes with a lightly damped open/close action for its lid, but no separate contoured slots that one is accustomed to seeing in the higher segments:


There's a second recessed & latched wedge-shaped compartment within the glovebox, which is about 6 inches wide and 4 inches deep. Probably to hide away important documents?


Hard plastics and rough edges - not something you'd expect in a Mercedes, even in a non-visible spot:


Drive selector stalk, positioned on the steering column where RHD cars usually have the light controls; it sure takes some getting used to. Press the button on the outside of the stalk to engage Park (P) from any of the modes. Selector displays a warning in the cluster if trying to shift between D & R without applying brakes and another warning to engage P when standing still in N without the brakes applied, to prevent the car from rolling. Safety first!

Stalks don't feel very well built. This one looks vanilla-boring and the light controls stalk on the left has a rather springy return action that doesn't feel premium at all. Could do with some added damping:


Touchpad is great - sensitive and provides both haptic and audio feedback (clicks are heard through the A-Pillar tweeters). It's flanked by dedicated function buttons on either side and provides a convenient, leather-wrapped palm rest. I preferred to use this touchpad for infotainment & navigation, whereas Chetan preferred the touch control buttons on the steering wheel:


Cupholders have variable sizes, with a nifty adjustment button and a sliding cover for the section. Drive mode toggle switch is unintuitively placed to the left of the touchpad (away from the driver), which is clearly oriented for LHD. Should've been adapted to RHD, just like they did with the steering mounted controls. Alternative option accessed via either the steering, touchpad or touchscreen controls means extra clicks and potentially distracting. Not recommended when on the move:


Driver armrest houses a deep felt-lined space underneath with a split lid and two USB-C ports. Conspicuous by its absence is a sunglass holder:


Things get interesting at the rear, with Mercedes aiming to provide more practicality than the now-discontinued CLA.

The seat base is low, flat and narrow front-to-back. Combined with the preset seatback angle, it results in a knees-up sitting position with scarce under-thigh support. The car does better on rear space & legroom than the CLA though. Two tall occupants can sit one behind the other, with just about enough space. 6 footers would find the fit tight and uncomfortable with the hard plastics of the front seatbacks hitting the knee and shin areas. There is decent space to tuck your feet under the front seats (unless the front seats are set to their lowest positions):


Just about enough knee room (I'm 5'11'') behind my own seating position:


5'7" passenger has about a palm's width of headroom (refer AMG post below), while a 5'11" passenger fits snugly with minimal room to spare. A flat window line helps to get some light into the cabin, but the front headrests completely block the road view, even for someone of my height. With the black roof liner and space being at a premium, the ample sunroof helps avoid any claustrophobia creeping in:


Controversial opinion from Chetan - "For someone who's spent a lot of time commuting in third rows of ubiquitous MPVs (leanest built guy always gets shoved back there!), this felt eerily similar. Not something I'd mind sitting in, but not something I'd choose willingly. Overall, the A-Class Limousine has passable rear-seat ergonomics for short city rides, but tall rear passengers won't enjoy a long drive".

I'm of the opinion that it wasn't that bad, but I suspect my 5'11", tank-like build ( especially post the lockdown) had something to do with it. It appears Mercedes liberated space in the rear by lowering the seat and raising the roof (compared to the CLA's sharply sloping one), but the overall ergonomics and packaging just don't come together. It is useable, but make no mistake - we are talking C segment category space here and even then, it's closer to a Hyundai Verna than a Honda City!

Rear passengers are treated with two USB-C ports, but no proper storage for the mobile phone while being charged. Carry a long cable! And speaking of space - only two adults here please, not three. The tall floor hump and narrow cabin make the third passenger rather unwelcome:


No roof-mounted grab handles (presumably due to airbags like the Fords), but each door has a reading lamp in that position with an integrated + retracting bag hook. Neat!


Ingress & egress aren't a walk in the park either, with Chetan needing the armrest to get out on more than one occasion, and me stumbling with my Woodlands putting up quite a fight every time! The door sill being raised off the floor, the B-pillar intruding and a door that doesn't open very wide are all contributors:


Mercedes claims 405 liters of boot space (down from 420 liters internationally) in the petrol variants, and 395 liters of space in the diesel variants (thanks to the AdBlue tank), with a flush boot floor. However, Indian cars come with a space saver 125/70 R19 tyre tied down in the boot - which significantly compromises boot space. It truly sucks that these high-end German cars don't come with proper wheel wells for the spare. Why are they taking a step backward? Even in Europe, we'd prefer going for road-trips with a spare than without one. Runflat tyres don't mean one can conveniently get rid of the spare wheel:




Unfortunately, there is no subwoofer or amplifier hidden under the boot floor, as is the case with the Burmester system in the A35 AMG. What you find instead is a TIREFIT kit, comprising of a tyre sealant bottle and a tyre inflation compressor. No branded audio here, but it sounds good and most owners would not feel shortchanged. The experience is much better in the front seat, than in the rear as the sound seems rather forward biased:

Last edited by Aditya : 1st March 2021 at 17:57.
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Old 1st March 2021, 11:00   #3
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Driving the Mercedes A-Class Limousine 2.0L Diesel AT


The A200D is powered by a 1,950cc, 4-cylinder diesel engine that produces 148 BHP and 320 Nm and is coupled with an 8-speed DCT. Mercedes claims a 0-100 km/h timing of 8.2 seconds and a fuel efficiency figure of 21.35 km/l. On paper, it is faster, more fuel-efficient (than the petrol) and has a lesser CO2 emission figure of 124 g/km (as against 135 g/km on the petrol).



The diesel starts up with a bit of clatter and a slight shake when cold, but settles to a thrummy idle once warmed up. It's not the most refined specimen out there and nobody will mistake it for anything other than a diesel, but not annoying. Engine noise becomes evident at anything above 2,500 rpm.

The abundant torque available from low down is very evident as one moves off from a standstill, and the engine doesn't miss a beat as the DCT climbs up the gears. City driveability is good & turbo-lag is well controlled. We didn't do a timed run, but the claimed 0-100 times seem perfectly achievable. The mid-range is great and combined with the slick DCT, the car can really move. The AT is well-mated to the engine.

Throttle response is relatively muted in Eco mode. Upshifts happen early and progress is smooth and sedate, which is perfect for city driving and being chauffeured around. Let the powertrain do the work while you relax with your favourite music in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Switch to Comfort mode and you can perceive the engine's changed behaviour. Comfort mode is versatile, to the point of being dual-personality. It's a lot more eager than Eco, but stays composed and balanced even if you go heavy on the right foot. Downshifts are still smooth but snappier and we were able to close a gap in traffic (or overtake on an undivided carriageway) by just poking the accelerator. This is probably the best mode of the lot - well-balanced overall and will probably become the most used mode for buyers irrespective of traffic conditions.

Switch to Sport mode, and the car's really yanking at the leash. Upshifts happen higher up the rev range, the motor growls as it puts the torque down, and progress is brisk. Gears are held longer, although not annoyingly so. Up & downshifts are a little jerkier here. Sport is a bit too eager, firm and jumpy for crawling through city traffic on the way to office. However, it's good if you're sprinting solo on smooth expressways and in the mood for fun only.

To sum it up, the diesel is eager with plenty of poke low-down and in the mid-range. It's paired well with the excellent 8-speed DCT, and can be at home both, in the city and on expressways, whether crawling, cruising or sprinting.

Note that the speed alert chime is LOUD, but the tone used is not distinctive and can easily be mistaken for a smartphone notification, especially for the single beep 80 km/h warning.

Driving the Mercedes A-Class Limousine 1.3L Petrol AT


The A200 is powered by a 1,332cc, 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 161 HP and 250 Nm @ 1,620 - 4,000 rpm and is coupled with a 7-speed DCT. Mercedes claims a 0-100 km/h time of 8.3 seconds and a fuel efficiency figure of 17.5 km/l. We took one out for a short spin and below are our first impressions.

This petrol motor, unlike the diesel, has a laggy low end and is noisy when revved in a boomy, rather than a throaty way. But coupled with the quick shifting DCT, it's pleasant enough and adequate when driven sedately. So if you are looking at driving calmly, you should be okay.

The petrol launches well and can sprint through the punchy mid-range, but the boomy drone and mediocre top-end means that it gets boring and/or annoying quickly. It will disappoint anyone used to high-revving, revv-happy petrols.

If the characteristics sound familiar, yes, it's from the same family as the Duster 1.3L Turbo and has been co-developed with Renault-Nissan. It's a competent motor for the sub-20L segment, but not for 'Mercedes' money.

In our opinion, the 2.0 diesel is the superior motor, offering great performance in all scenarios. The petrol is adequate for sedate use, and badge value obviously matters in the luxury segment, but petrol enthusiasts looking for outright performance, should look elsewhere.

Last edited by Aditya : 1st March 2021 at 15:51.
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Gearbox Impressions


Both gearboxes are smooth, quick-shifting and don't get confused or hunt for gears in any of the automatic modes. Upshifts and downshifts are mostly only perceptible from a change in the engine notes in Eco & Comfort driving modes, but can get a little jerky in Sport mode. We were never stuck in the wrong gear waiting for a shift and the gearboxes felt very responsive overall.

M can only be engaged through the paddles, but there is no pure manual mode in which the gearbox will remain in "M". The gearbox moves back to "D" after a couple of seconds. We have noticed this in some other Mercedes cars too. Hence, you will be using "M" mainly when you want a downshift or want engine braking. Also, the DCTs don't hold a gear at high revs in M mode.

The response time to your paddle shift commands has no perceptible lag.

Driving Modes




The car is equipped with four driving modes, three preset - Eco, Comfort & Sport and one DIY - Individual Mode.

Eco:

As the name suggests, it's the economy mode, tailored for sedate driving and fuel economy. Throttle response is muted and the engine takes a while to respond. In the diesel, it's perfectly suited for the urban crawl and being chauffeured around. The petrol, with its weaker low end, will demand some patience.

Comfort:

This one's versatile and perfect to exploit the diesel's wide mid-range. It has a well-balanced combination of smooth shifts and an eager motor at your beck & call with a single tap of the right foot. It's our favorite mode, equally at ease in the city and on the highway. The petrol feels most at home in this mode too.

Sport:

This is the most aggressive option and best left for occasional spirited solo drives or with like-minded passengers. The revs stay high, gears are held longer, and shifts can get aggressive, more so if clubbed with Manual mode. Throttle response isn't a world apart from Comfort mode, while the ride experience is considerably jerkier. In our opinion, it's not worth the trade-off.

Individual:

One for the Do-It-Yourself folk, who want everything just right. It's nice to play around with different parameters, but it doesn't really make a world of difference like in higher-powered performance cars. Still, it's nice to have if you want a combination not met by one of the preset modes.

Ride, Handling and Braking


The ride quality is compliant and comfortable, but not plush. Passengers will notice road undulations & surface imperfections, but not feel them in the spine. The taller tyre sidewalls definitely help. The suspension travel range isn't huge, and going over potholes or flyover joints will transfer them into the cabin.

The car feels compact and perfectly sized for urban use, while the light steering (at city speeds) makes it a breeze to potter around town. A decent turning radius reduces the need to make too many 3-point turns. The steering firms up well at higher speeds, but does not offer much in terms of feedback.

When driven spiritedly, the A-Class feels planted in a straight line with no unnerving vertical suspension travel on undulations - typical Mercedes in that sense. It understeers predictably for a FWD when cornering at high speeds, but hard cornering can unsettle the rear end.

ORVMs are a size too small, compromising visibility. The view from the IRVM is restricted by the thick C-pillar and high surface behind the rear seat. One needs to rely on the rear camera and sensors to reverse & park confidently. A special mention for the Park Assist system, which is overly sensitive, and beeps constantly if anyone gets anywhere in the vicinity. This might get annoying on congested Indian streets.

The car's all-disc brake setup means that the car sheds speed effectively, although the pedal feel isn't progressive. It's a bit sensitive and bites quickly in the initial part of the pedal travel. This needs some getting used to. There are no issues braking from higher speeds and the car always stops in a straight line without a fuss.

Last edited by Aditya : 1st March 2021 at 16:15.
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Old 1st March 2021, 11:00   #5
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MBUX


The MBUX system that debuted in India with the 2020 GLC, gets the latest NTG6 telematics generation and the full dual screen feature-set in the A-Class Limousine.

It offers multiple ways to control the cluster / infotainment system, at least one of which, users might find intuitive!
  • 10.25 inch touchscreen
  • Touch pad on the center console
  • Small touch control buttons on the steering wheel
  • Voice recognition

Additionally, it also allows control of the vehicle through connectivity features such as
  • Mercedes Me Connect app
  • Home voice assistances like Alexa and Google Home, etc.

To invoke the voice commands, you just say "Hey Mercedes". One thoughtful touch in this menu system are two small buttons below each selection, which act as important shortcuts. For example, Navigation has 'home' as one option, instead of going the long way via search and selecting your home address:


64-colour ambient lighting can be controlled through the console, or using voice commands:


Seat kinetics make minute adjustments to the seat positioning, so that the front seats' occupants are not stationary during long drives:


The digital console supports various displays and styles of instrumentation:








MID offers all the standard information as expected:


It can be used to display navigational assistance, so that the driver need not take his/her eyes off the road:


The system also offers a suite of connectivity options through the 'Mercedes Me Connect' app
  • Alerts for actions like open windows
  • Trip data log and calculations
  • Remote control of windows, sunroof, etc. when the vehicle is off
  • Vehicle status checks - locks, doors, boot, bonnet and parking brake
  • Geolocation and Geofencing
  • Maintenance, service status and support
  • Valet Protect
  • Locating parking slots (related thread) and navigation, etc.








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The A35 AMG


Mercedes also showcased the A35 AMG at the event. It is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 302 BHP and 400 Nm. This will be the second AMG model to be assembled in India after the AMG GLC 43 Coupe! It is claimed to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and has a top speed of 225 km/h.

Bookings are open for the A35 AMG as well, and the car will be launched along with the series cars on March 25:




While the exact specifications for the AMG were not revealed at the event, the ground clearance looks significantly lesser than the A220 sedan:


In fact, this gives the A35 a very purposeful, hunkered down stance:










Power is delivered to all four wheels, which are 18 inch rims wrapped in 235/40 ZR18 Continental SportContact 6 tyres:




Step inside and you are greeted with a familiar interior, but with some 'sporty' touches:


Flat bottom steering wheel, black interiors with brushed aluminum inserts instead of wood, red accents, sporty pedals and Alcantara leather distinguish the AMG from the series version:






Seating comfort is not a deal-breaker, unlike previous attempts such as the GLA45 AMG, which was one of our support cars during the drive:






The large sunroof is a boon. This cabin, with the all-black upholstery and just about adequate space, makes things quite claustrophobic in the rear:


Excellent boot space as well! No space-saver spare tyre here! And underneath the boot floor - you will find a hidden subwoofer and amplifier, which is part of the 12-speaker Burmester Audio!




A35 also gets a 360 degree camera option, which is not present in the series cars:


A future base variant?


There was a base variant in the media fleet, not confirmed for launch. This was apparently called for duty after one of the media cars was damaged. It was supposed to be a prototype / display car and there is no confirmation if it will eventually hit the market at a later date:


"Hey Mercedes", if you decide to bring a base version to the market, please do not skip features like leather-wrapped steering and navigation:






Plain, silver alloy wheels shod with Pirelli Cinturato P7 205/55 R17 rubber:


No ambient lighting provided. Vents are finished in black and have no lighting inside them, as against the brushed aluminum finish of the higher variants with mood lighting. Also, note the faux carbon fiber finish of the dashboard:


No panoramic sunroof. However, the car did showcase some of the accessories from Mercedes for the A-Class, which includes the dual dashcam package that is priced at Rs. 58,939:


Carbon fiber finished side skirt and...


...carbon fiber finished rear spoiler from the Carbon-Style package, which also includes the B-pillar trim and front spoiler lip, priced at Rs. 1,47,984:


Disclaimer: Mercedes invited Team-BHP for the A-Class sedan test-drive. They covered all the travel expenses for this driving event.

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Old 1st March 2021, 11:00   #7
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Re: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine Review

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

Last edited by Aditya : 1st March 2021 at 11:02.
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Old 1st March 2021, 12:00   #8
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Re: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine Review

Thank you for this week written, to them point review. Loved the review and the photos. Handsome car I must say. And gorgeous interiors, rear seat notwithstanding. For the self driven who can afford it this would be an attractive buy. I like this frontal look much better than the current C and E front design.
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Old 1st March 2021, 12:00   #9
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Re: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine Review

Thanks for this detailed review! It will be interesting to see how they price this model.

To me, the older CLA class looked absolutely gorgeous. This sedan (intended to replace the CLA in a way in India) does not look as appealing - in fact looks a little bland to be honest. The interiors look great though! Good to see the AMG being launched as well - more enthusiast's cars are always welcome
The shared engine with the Duster/Kicks also brings down the appeal quotient.

I would personally choose to pick a used 2-3 year old CLA class (despite the cramped back seat) just for the sheer looks of that car.
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Old 1st March 2021, 12:27   #10
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Re: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine Review

Thanks for the extensive review. I am one of the very few who feels CLA was a bit overdone and for me, A Limo with fewer curves and more straight lines looks better and sharper. Anyway pricing will be the key.

@Mods - Seems the below pics got interchanged.

The pic of the future base model was mentioned on the AMG part https://www.team-bhp.com/carpics/202...a-class-12.jpg

And the pic of AMG was there with the Base model details - https://www.team-bhp.com/carpics/202...a-class-23.jpg

Kindly delete this post if not relevant.
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Old 1st March 2021, 12:29   #11
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Re: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine Review

Looks like a more practical car than CLA. Thanks for very detailed review as usual

Quote:
Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR View Post

Mercedes claims 405 litres of boot space (down from 420 litres internationally!) on the petrol variants, and 395 litres of space on the diesel variants (thanks to the AdBlue tank), with a flush boot floor. However, Indian cars come with a space saver 125/70 R19 tyre tied down in the boot - which significantly compromises boot space. It truly sucks that these high-end German cars don't come with proper wheel wells for the spare. Why are they taking a step backward? Even in Europe, we'd prefer going for road-trips with a spare than without one. Runflat tyres don't mean one can conveniently get rid of the spare wheel.
I read in few places and also in media reviews that the A class will have dedicated spare tyre space under the boot and that only media drive vehicles had placed it open in the boot.

This should address age old boot practicality issues with Merc. Can you please confirm?
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Old 1st March 2021, 12:42   #12
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Re: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine Review

How is this a limousine?
As per my (limited) understanding of a limo, limos typically have a glass partition between the driver and the passengers. Looks more like a sedan to me. But again I have been known to be mistaken in the past.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine Review-verna.jpg
Heelloooo Hyundai! What are you guys thinking? How can you not see the marketing opportunity in this?

In fact this would also make a perfect destination for a TBHP meet. Parking lot full of Vernas outside Verna!!
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Old 1st March 2021, 12:42   #13
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Re: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine Review

Handsome car but seems built to a cost based on the review- poor NVH, average engines, hard plastics, and what not. One must really like the brand to have one as a solo car in the garage.
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We are talking C segment category space here, and even then - it's closer to a Hyundai Verna than a Honda City!
Explains the background here

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine Review-2021mercedesaclass04.jpg
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I'm of the opinion that it wasn't that bad, but I suspect my 5'11", tank-like build...had something to do with it.
Wouldn't your build make the ergonomics worse for you?!

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That LWB version would've killed the C-Class.
Why??? The C has better insulation, drive, engines, presence. Assuming the A is as mindblowing MB think it is, it would attract a customer who may not afford the C. If it isn't as great, then it gives an option to upgrade within the same showroom. Plus they are anyways bringing the AMG which is probably going to be priced the same as the C. So if the customer is as uninformed as they expect, he will still see an A class priced same as the C. Baffling decision.
For me personally this car makes me appreciate how good the Camry is in terms of tech, refinement, practicality, drivability, etc.

Last edited by Iyencar : 1st March 2021 at 12:50.
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Old 1st March 2021, 12:45   #14
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Re: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine Review

Thanks for the wonderfully detailed review! Was eagerly awaiting the Team-BHP review for the new A-Class Sedan.

Looks like a nice and modern car, but going by the review, it seems to have lost quite a bit of the ‘Mercedesness’ to save costs. Almost all cars nowadays offer a kilometre long feature list and are loaded with tech. But for a car of this price, not only does one expect it to be tech laden, but also expects a few finer things to exude a sense of quality. For some reason, it makes me want to hold on to my W204 much longer!

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Stalks don't feel built very well, this one looks vanilla-boring and the light controls stalk on the left has a rather springy return action that doesn't feel premium at all. Could do with some added damping.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine Review-8116db2819054bbbb4fa722fa609d95f.jpeg

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Hard plastics and rough edges, not something you'd expect in a Mercedes, even in a non-visible spot.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine Review-dc567c29d56046ae824f37d13d7a9319.jpeg

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No organ-style pedals here. Clearly, this is no C-Class!
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine Review-91c6eb82ba8943faae5ad9f45a241db2.jpeg

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Both motors are audible in the cabin at idle (even when warmed up) and annoyingly so when revved beyond 2.5k RPM. Tyre noise seeps in too (even with soft Michelins on our test car). Poor for a 'premium' vehicle.
Points like these take away from the ‘Mercedes’ experience. One may argue that it is wrong to expect an E-Class at this price, but it must be kept in mind that this is not a cheap car by any means; if they pitch it directly against the BMW 2 series gran coupe, then this car would also be priced in the 45-55 lakh rupee range.
But anyway, none of these issues are likely to be deal breakers for anyone and can easily be fixed with a facelift.
Other than these minor irritants, this car definitely manages to deliver a certain premium feel and manages to be desire able. I am pretty sure it will find a lot of takers. It will not only be appreciated by somebody looking to buy their first Mercedes, but will also appeal to somebody with a few bigger cars already in the garage and a requirement for a smaller premium car.
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Old 1st March 2021, 13:19   #15
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Re: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine Review

Nice crisp review. Would like to hear about A35 review and how it is to drive on day to day basis. Looks beautiful in that alcantra finish black leather interiors

Great observation on the alloys, they looked extremely nice in comparison to current C and then I saw you mentioned that it looks good from distance.

Even the turbine style lighted air vents looks amazing cool.

Why couldn't they offer the same diesel engine like C220d as like BMW offers on their 2GC similar to 3
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