Test Drive Mercedes Benz A-Class W176 since 2012 Hatchback
Hatchback in Stuttgart
Mercedes-Benz A-Class: Only clearance grew up... And the point is not at all that the literature and gives the beginning of the whole alphabet, both our and their. Just your correspondent has always believed that the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is undeservedly deprived by consumers in our country.
By the way, in more civilized European countries for these cars is a turn and they enjoy great popularity.
It is possible to ambiguously refer to the appearance of this indigenous resident of the metropolis, but nevertheless the fact remains the fact: the A-class was, there will always be a real Mercedes. To the core. Do not believe? Now I will try to prove it. It must be said that the author of these lines is well familiar with the Ashka of the previous generation. The fact is that such a car was purchased for the needs of the editorial office. It was one of the very first copies, then only received on sale. Funny funny toy bright blue color. The car has proven very well in a few years of daily operation. There was only one serious low clearance problem. Because of this, even a couple of times I had to change the palter of the crankcase, which one of our negligent driver regularly punched.
So let's see what really has changed in the new Ashka compared to the old model. Of course, first of all appearance. But the main difference in size. The car became noticeably longer and wider (which is not immediately rushing into the eyes, but the person knowledgeable will immediately pay attention to this), and the main advantage of this fact will appreciate the rear passengers. Personally, I really liked the beautiful designer development of the rear body lines. Wings and trunk as if they go into a lantern, where in the same way, in turn, the lid lid lid and the rear wings are converged. This is the result of the long and time consuming of the designer. From now on, the A-class began to look much more rapid. (And as for the road lumen, he, unfortunately, increased so insignificant that it is not necessary to talk about it.) However, the main changes are waiting for the driver and passengers in the cabin.
It is very spacious even for pretty overall test pilots Mkmobil. The required car consumer test program includes riding in the backseat. Given the fact that they tested the car Already three pilots plus a photographer, and repeat, all four guys, obviously well-eating porridge in childhood, displacement, so to speak, the salon really surpassed all our expectations. Of course, if we were, say, five on one A-class, theoretically possible that we would have to experience some discomfort in terms of the interior ergonomics. And four of the hefty men were easily fit in the cabin of the test Ashka.
The trunk, covered with a strict curtain, became much more impressive. Now you can pour 435 liters in it (in the old version the trunk was at 45 liters less) by the way, the salon himself struck us primarily in the quality of the materials finishing. Great expensive soft plastic couple with very comfortable seats, and the visibility in a circle now does not cause any complaints. All five active head restraints are adjusted in height (although manually), except that the central rear creates some discomfort in the review in the raised state, it completely overlaps the driver rear window.
Torpedo greatly looks at a new e-class with its rounded and neat disclapions. This is not the old old A-class with its obsessive buzzing air ducts and the appliances panel. True, the presence of light fabric on the doors causes some doubt, but we will consider it with a removal configuration. Especially since the future buyer or buyer has a lot of interior finishing options with all sorts of materials.
I'm great lucky. During the test, the strongest snowfall collapsed on the capital, and the company manager Panavto recommended me to take the yamaha yamaha snowmobile test, which would be much more relevant, given the natural cataclysms. But the test is a test. Given the low clearance of the model, Ashcheka is easily and without thinking overcoming serious snow barriers. At the time when all Moscow stood in wild traffic jams, or moved in space with an average speed of about 510 kilometers per hour, I had the audacity to go 40, and where and all 60 (it was in such extreme situations that the groundnight took place. And, as Practice shows, almost all of their skill actively seeks to zero.)
Given that the steering has accounted for a fairly extreme level, Ashka struck me with its handling. A bit of this reminded the eternal competitor to the company BMW. Very sharp steering chapel with a pinned suspension. After all, the old good McPherson is, however, a slightly modified. But behind the rented suspension plays a key role in controllability.
The developers replaced an independent multi-line design on ... dependent (apparently, fresh in the memory of the event of seven years ago, when due to the unnecessary freedom-loving rear suspension, the A-class has just been tipped into the most innocuous situations). Now, under the trunk of the new aushki, the exhausted beam (attached to the body of a rubberometallic support), supplemented by a transverse stability stabilizer and a slightly modified WATT mechanism.
By the way, this suspension has become twisted in turn under the action of the mechanism of the bridge slightly turns after the front wheels. The tricky system also prevents the body rolls with sharp turns.
And indeed, the baby turned out to be more than stable on the road. Among other things, it is also equipped with a selective damping system shock absorbers are regulated by hardness depending on the quality of the roadway cover. Of course, there was a partly to donate the smoothness of the course, but ...
We had a basic version of A-Class A150. One-and-a-liter motor with a capacity of 95 horsepower to couple with a mechanical five-speed gearbox is perfect, I must say, copes with your task. From the standard set, only two front electric windows, climate control (for all MERS in standard), so, perhaps, the multi-multiple, which has been controlled by excellent music with a CD changer, cruise control and telephone (optional). And do not forget about four airbags, as well as the impressive set of electronic assistants, in addition to anti-lock and anti-slip systems in the Ashka base, is equipped with coursework stability systems and emergency braking. Such a car is just over 20,000 euros from the official dealer. Next, it all depends on the thickness of your wallet.
A total of 4 gasoline and 3 diesel engines are offered in the range of 4 gasoline and 3 diesel engines. A150 (95 hp), A170 (116 hp) and A200 (136 hp) Slightly modified, but already well-known motors of the company. And diesel engines will also be actively offered to Russian buyers. They look as follows A160 CDI (82 hp), A180 CDI (109 hp) and A200 CDI (140 hp). In addition, the top gasoline version of A200 Turbo with a power of 200 horses will be released by the beginning of the summer season. And this Ashka is able to throw a glove to many competitors ... Of course, such cars are supplied to the choice or mechanical or automatic transmission. Now, to all of the time, the AUTOOTRonic variator appeared on the A-class, allowing to move very smoothly and silently. True, a similar box is suitable rather very calm drivers (or driver).
By the way, buyers of the second generation of A-Class instead of the former long version of the dealers will offer a car with a 3-door body. Let it be less space for the rear passengers and baggage, but at the same time it has a more dynamic appearance. And, among other things, cheaper than the five-year 700 euros.
In any case, the new A-class managed to prove the full right to a very successful existence in its market segment. You can relate differently to its ambiguous appearance, but the fact remains a fact: a new Ashka 100 percent qualitatively made Mercedes-Benz. And just for one name, many are ready to pay serious money. And they will bet on the right horse ...
Alexey Gusev
A source: Mkmobile magazine [07.02.2005]
