KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia took off the covers of its latest compact car, the A-Class sedan, offering the new entry from a price of RM229,888.
This price is for the lower end A 200 Progressive Line variant. A more expensive and more powerful variant, the A 250 AMG Line is available from RM267,888.
The A 200 Progressive Line runs on a 1.4 litre engine generating 163 hp and 250 Nm of torque while the A 250 AMG Line is powered by a 2.0 litre engine with a more spirited 224 hp and 350 Nm of torque.
The exterior is slick, in line with Mercedes' Sensual Purity philosophy. With a Cd of just 0.22, the new sedan is more aerodynamic than its A-Class hatchback sibling which has a Cd of 0.25.
Mercedes-Benz claims that the new saloon equals the world record held by the CLA Coupe, but with a frontal area of just 2.19 sq m, it has the lowest aerodynamic drag of 'all production vehicles worldwide'.
On the inside, the sedan is big for its class, and is at the top of its segment. Rear headroom is 944 mm, while the boot has a capacity of 420 litres with a boot opening that is very large with a width of 950 mm and a diagonal of 462 mm between lock and lower edge of the rear window for easy loading and unloading.
The new sedan is equipped with the new Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with touchscreen, as well as driving assistance systems such as Active Brake Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist.
The Keyless-Go Convenience Package includes Hand-free access os one of the available options. This package enables hands-free and fully automatic opening of the boot lid with just a simple foot motion under the rear bumper.
The A-Class is also equipped with the driving assistance systems that enable it to be driven semi-autonomously in certain settings, carried over from the S- Class.
The system keeps a close eye on the traffic situation with an improved camera and radar systems looking up to 500 metres ahead. It uses its map and navigation data for drving assistance functions as well.
Also a carry-over from the upper models are the Multibeam LED headlamps.
With 18 individually actuated LEDs housed in each headlamp, the lamps have daylight-like light colour that are easy on the eyes and has a positive effect on concentration. The LED High Performance headlamps are a further option, while the standard A-Class is equipped with halogen headlamps with integrated LED daytime driving lamps.