The new generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class is on sale in selected European markets, including UK and Germany, with deliveries to commence from late May.
Offered in three trim levels called SE, Sport, and AMG Line, and with a choice of three engines, the hatchback carries a £25,800 ($35,595) starting price in the United Kingdom, and €30,232 ($37,235) in Germany.
Standard gear includes the two 7-inch screens that form the MBUX infotainment system, voice controls, DAB radio, part-leather upholstery, 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless go, Active Lane Keeping Assist, and Speed Limit Assist, among others.
The Sport grade adds 17-inch alloy wheels, different upholstery, and automatic climate control, while the AMG Line is packed with 18-inch wheels, special exterior add-ons, three-spoke steering wheel, and Artico and Dinamica microfiber upholstery.
Those not happy with the standard equipment can choose from several optional extras, such as the 10.25-inch central touchscreen part of the Executive package, which costs £1,395 ($1,925), heated front seats, Active Parking Assist with Parktronic, and Mirror package.
The Premium line adds the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 64-color ambient lighting, illuminated door sills, better sound system, and others, from £2,395 ($3,305). There’s also a Premium Plus package, which brings memory function for the front seats, panoramic sunroof, and multibeam LED headlights with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus.
Sat-nav and Traffic Sign Assist are part of the Advanced Navigation package, which is only available with the Executive, Premium, or Premium plus equipment lines, and costs £495 ($683).
Powering the new generation A-Class is the 1.5-liter diesel engine, made by Renault and known as dCi in their vehicles, with 116PS (115hp) and 260Nm (192lb-ft) of torque. This is offered in the 180d flavor, which takes 10.5sec to reach 62mph (100km/h) from a standstill, and maxes out at 125mph (200km/h).
The A200 uses a 1.4-liter petrol rated at 163PS (161hp) and 250Nm (184lb-ft) of torque, and the A250 has to make do with 224PS (221hp) and 350Nm (258lb-ft) of torque from a 2.0-lieter petrol unit. The latter can go from 0 to 62mph (0-100km/h) in 6.2sec, and reach a top speed electronically capped at 155mph (250km/h).
All engines are married to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission in the UK, but in Germany, Mercedes offers a six-speed manual gearbox in the entry-level A200.
Finally, as the automaker has its clients used to, the Edition 1 model is available too, and will be around for some one year after the market launch. It’s said to cost an additional €7,021 ($8,648) in Germany, adding different color highlights, sport seats, and other features. The Edition 1 is available with all engine options.