Test drive Mercedes Benz A-class W169 since 2008 hatchback
New Mercedes - He parks himself!
Mercedes-Benz introduced three new family cars A, B and C-UNIVERSAL.To be honest, you can call the new one only one model, the C-class station wagon. Single collectors A and B were upgraded. During the day, I managed to drive a little on each of them. Despite the fact that the B-class is between A and C, he wins the first two in terms of salon and cargo-passenger capabilities. I started the test with him.
CD from Mercedes - the car is in itself. From the German triple, only Mercedes decided to enter the market with compactiven. Probably the rest of the German producers of premium cars cannot afford a non-standard body. The reason may be, for example, blurring the image of the brand. Mercedes certainly do not threaten such problems. You get into the car, and there is no doubt that there is a real Merce in front of you. Stylish interior, solid materials and proprietary features in the form of a single steering wheel switch. The equipment that I got did not shine with a luxury of a leather cabin or a powerful engine, but in general it makes a good impression. The style in which the front console is made is here to the place, unlike the C-class, where it looks somewhat unsolved. Of the innovations in the interior, there are new materials and the Command system, including not only an advanced audio system with a hard drive, but also voice control and navigation with a map of Russia. Outwardly, the rear lights, a false radiator grille, mirrors in the color of the body, and discs have changed in the B-class. With emergency braking, stop-signals now work in impulse mode, warning drivers about danger. The power of the engines remained the same, but they became more economical.
An automatic parking system appeared from additional options. For those who are not confident in their abilities, a useful thing. In order for the system to check out the free space, you need to move along the row at speeds up to 36 km/h. At this time, the parking worker receives information from side ultrasound sensors. When sufficient space appears in the field of view of the radar, the indicator will light up. After the driver, it remains only to turn on the program, let go of the hands and adjust the speed. In this case, the machine itself rotates the steering wheel to the required angle! For confident work, an automatic parking player needs to be about 65 cm between the bumpers. Of course, such a parking lot cannot be called jewelry, but I think that such a system will have such a system to taste.
Another auxiliary system that works in conjunction with the stabilization system has appeared. In the restyled B-class it is serial. Against the backdrop of concern for customers, the lack of climate control in the database or half adjustments of the chair looks strange, some of which are manually controlled, and part by electric drives.
What there are no complaints about the behavior of the car on the road. The brakes on wet asphalt were just excellent. The suspension is comfortable and energy -intensive, minimum acoustic noise. In version B170, acceleration is not very frisky, but fuel consumption is small. In mixed mode, about 8l/100km came out with us. The variator helps to save fuel. Great alternative to automatic transmission. It has seven virtual programs and even knows how to slow them down.
The only complaint caused an amplifier of the steering wheel. With very rapid rotation, there is not enough performance, and the steering wheel seems to rest against the elastic element. The multifunctional steering wheel switch is overlapped with a steering wheel, in addition, its length is short, to turn on the turnover, you have to stretch your fingers. All that you could read about the B-class applies to the younger A. The model was subjected to facelifting. Farah, bumper, mirrors and other decorative elements have changed.
A-class, in fact, is a big hatchback from Mercedes. In order for the impressions from B and A to differ stronger, we ride on the option with a three-door body with a 116-horsepower engine. By the way, the buyer is offered a choice of seven different power units, the most powerful of which develops 193 hp. Once again, I repeat that the sensations from traveling on the A-class are very similar to B, however, if there is enough space in the compactwane on any place, in a three-door hatchback it begins to lack it. Especially in the front passenger place. There is simply nowhere to stretch there, a steeply lifted floor interferes.
By the way, for Europe, Mercedes offers some options that have not yet been delivered to Russia, for example, a version with a fuel system operating on natural gas. With this installation, the total mileage at one gas station increases to 1000 km.
I made the rest of the journey on a comfortable C-class universal. If you start the inspection not from the trunk (its size in the new generation reaches a very impressive 1,500 liters), then the first thing that impresses the interior decoration in this machine. In my version, C170 Kompressor, the panel was finished with wood and cream skin. Acceleration with such a motor confident, but no more. There is not enough light. After paying more, you can take the version more powerful, which is equipped with a seven-speed 7G-Tronic automatic machine and AMG package. For Russian buyers, the C-class universal will be available only in special trim levels. They will cost a lot, but they will include all the necessary options. This is due to demand. According to representatives of the company, only well -wealthy people take Mercedes station wagons in Russia.
Yaroslav Marshalkin
Source: Auto.mail.ru