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By
EWAN KENNEDY
27 October 2008
We
have spoken before on the subject of fashion taking place over
function in too many cars. Sad to say, the smallest Mercedes-Benz
models are classic examples of this.
If
buyers went for practicality ahead of personal image then the
immensely sensible Mercedes A-Class and B-Class would be selling
up a storm. At least a storm created by those able to pay $30,000
to $50,000 for their transport. Instead they typically find there
way into the garages of only about 80 to 100 Australians for each
model every month.
Which
is a shame because these are extremely sensible small cars with
interior space, particularly inside the B-Class which has a cabin
providing the sort of legroom that normally requires a Mercedes
S-Class. Or if you haven’t had the good fortune to sample a
$200,000-plus Benz, the legroom of a Holden Commodore or Ford
Falcon.
Note
that we were talking about legroom here. Width is significantly
less than in the full-sized models mentioned. But if you want to
carry four adults rather than five the A-Class and B-Class will do
it with ease.
In
these times of genuine concern about global warming, and the
consequent switch to more sensible cars, the small-outside
big-inside Mercedes models should receive serious consideration.
And if looking after the planet you live on isn’t enough, then
perhaps the prestige offered by the famed three-pointed star will
swing you.
Mercedes-Benz
Australia has just begun importation of the facelifted versions of
both the A-Class and B-Class. Both have received a reworking of
the front grilles, larger headlights and reshaped bumpers to give
them a bolder appearance. That appearance lift is complemented by
new designs of alloy wheels.
Note
also the fitment of larger door mirrors to improve safety. These
have also been reshaped to improve aerodynamics, and thus reduce
noise and trim fuel consumption. The latter may sound like a bold
claim, but exterior mirrors are the bane of designers trying to
make air slip as easily as possible along a car’s flanks.
The
rear lights have also received a new style, the darker glass is
the biggest clue. More importantly, the brake lights will
automatically activate the hazard warning flashers for a few
seconds if you brake hard.
The
cabin has gained changes to styling, by way of attention to the
detailed trim components. On a practical note – there's that
word again – there's even more stowage space for wallets,
phones, sunnies and so on. Bolder trim styles and a new palette of
materials also lift the interior.
There’s
also a further reduction in NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness),
something that we will go into in a moment when we discuss our
first test drives in the new Benzes.
Biggest
news in the A-Class is the option of a turbo-diesel for the first
time in this country. The fuel saving engine used in the Mercedes
A 180 CDI has a capacity of 2.0 litres and puts out 250 Nm of
torque over a good spread of the rev range. Peak power is only 80
kW, but power isn’t the thing we talk about in diesels. Torque
is the name of the game and the engine is more than happy to pull
from just about any revs while it accelerates to overtake or works
hard at climbing long, steep hills.
Fuel
consumption is measured at a miserly 5.2 litres per hundred
kilometres by Australian Design Rule 81/02. During our initial
test drives in the country area outside Melbourne we constantly
had readings in the low to mid sixes despite some fairly hard
driving.
Interior
noise levels are pleasantly low and the small Mercedes models feel
as though you are travelling in machines at least a size larger.
This, allied with excellent seat comfort, would make them
excellent on long country trips with the family on board.
Look
beyond the radical styling, try out the interior space, sample the
excellent ride comfort and you’re mind may well swing towards
the purchases of these immensely clever small cars from the
company that can claim it invented the passenger car way back in
the 19th century.
The
complete A-Class and B-Class ranges, with prices (excluding
on-road costs), are:
A 170 1.7-litre
petrol three-door hatch: $35,500 (manual)
A 200 2.0-litre petrol
three-door hatch: $45,900 (CVT)
A 200 Turbo 2.0-litre petrol three-door
hatch: $49,500 (CVT)
A 170 1.7-litre
petrol five-door hatch: $37,900 (manual)
A 180 CDI 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door hatch: $39,900 (manual)
A 200 2.0-litre petrol
five-door hatch: $47,900 (CVT)
B 180 CDI 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door hatch: $46,200 (manual)
B 200 2.0-litre
petrol five-door hatch: $46,200 (manual)
B 200 Turbo 2.0-litre
petrol five-door hatch: $52,800 (CVT)
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Marque Publishing Company
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