Photosoot of the Week: May 4th-11th 2020 – Denise & Mercedes-Benz W177 A200

The Mercedes A-class has evolved into something quite different from the technical showboating of the original Mk1 monobox back in 1997. Fast forward twenty and a bit years, and the new Mercedes A-class hatchback ups the ante with a more conventional look, some impressive interior tech and a more enjoyable ride. The W177 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is the fourth and current generation of the A-Class range of subcompact executive hatchbacks and sedans. It was launched in 2018 as the successor to the W176 A-Class, with sales commencing in March 2018. In 2020 the A-Class sedan is launching with two variants, the A200 and the entry-level A 180 at $44,900.
Standard equipment for the A200 runs to 18-inch alloy wheels, ‘Artico’ faux leather upholstery, the ‘MBUX’ widescreen cockpit display (two 10.25-inch digital screens), auto LED headlights and DRLs, keyless entry and start, auto-dimming rearview mirror, climate-control, sat nav, multi-function sports steering wheel, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, ‘Active Parking Assist’ (with ultrasonic proximity sensors front and rear), tinted glass, plus nine-speaker, 225W audio with digital radio, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Plus a dual exhaust system, four-way electrical adjustment for the driver’s seat (with lumbar support), a folding rear armrest (with twin cupholders), adaptive high-beam assist, and a wireless device charging bay.
Power is supplied by a 1.3-litre direct-injection four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine delivering 120kW (at 5500rpm) and 250Nm (at 1620rpm). Drive goes to the front wheels only via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Claimed fuel economy for the combined (ADR 81/02 – urban, extra-urban) cycle is 5.7L/100km, with a CO2 emissions figure of 130g/km.
Active safety features include ABS, BA, EBD, stability and traction controls, a reversing camera (with dynamic guidelines), ‘Active Brake Assist’ (Merc-speak for AEB), ‘Adaptive Brake’, ‘Attention Assist’, ‘Blind Spot Assist’, ‘Cross-wind Assist’, ‘Lane Keep Assist’, ‘Adaptive Highbeam Assist’, a tyre pressure warning system, the ‘Pre-Safe’ accident anticipatory system, and ‘Traffic Sign Assist’.
If all that fails to prevent an impact you’ll be protected by nine airbags (front, pelvis and window for driver and front passenger, side airbags for rear seat occupants and a driver’s knee bag), and the ‘Active Bonnet’ automatically tilts to minimise pedestrian injuries. Mercedes-Benz covers its passenger car range with a three year/unlimited km warranty with ‘Mercedes-Benz Road Care’ assistance included for three years.
Unsurprisingly, the A180d (along with AMG Line trim) is set to be the biggest-seller once again – although not by much – as the anti-diesel brigade guilt trips consumers into the A200 instead. And speaking of the 161bhp A200, it’s noticeably perkier than the A180d under hard acceleration, hitting the magic 62mph mark in 8.0 seconds dead and a top whack of 139mph. In the A200 version such figures are down to a 1.3-litre – yes, you read that right, a 1.3-litre Mercedes-Benz – turbocharged petrol producing 161bhp and 184 lb ft of torque. It’s not quite as silky smooth as you might expect, mind, with a coarseness to its character whenever you stray above 4000rpm. It’s actually quite raucous when stoked, but the performance on tap matches the zesty character of the new A-class range.