Refresh for posh family hatchback includes the addition of mild hybrid engines On sale Spring 2023 Price from £34,000 (est)
George Hill George.Hill@haymarket.com
ONE THING THE Apple Watch has shown is that even the smallest products can be packed with the latest and greatest technology.The same can be said for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, because despite being the brand’s smallest car, it still gets technology usually found on larger and more luxurious models.
As part of a mid-life refresh, Mercedes has given the A-Class some of the latest features found on other new models such as the C-Class executive car. Most notable are the changes under the bonnet, with mild hybrid technology being added across the range. This means the engines get a small amount of electrical assistance to help improve performance and fuel economy.
There are two 1.3-litre four-cylinder engines, which produce 136bhp in the A180 model and 161bhp in the A200. Average fuel economy for both is rated at 49.0mpg.
The diesels are 2.0-litre four-cylinder units and produce 114bhp (A180d) and 148bhp (A200d).Their fuel consumption figures are 56.0mpg and 58.0mpg respectively. All models are fitted with seven or eight-speed automatic gearboxes.
The A250e plug-in hybrid, which combines a 1.3-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and a 15.6kWh battery, has also been updated. While power output (215bhp) and total battery size remain unchanged, a higher usable capacity means the A250e can now travel for up to 50 miles on electric power alone (versus 44 miles previously), according to official tests.That’s farther than the Audi A3 40 TFSIe and Volkswagen Golf eHybrid can manage.
As for the AMG hot hatchbacks, the A35 has received the same mild hybrid technology as the regular A-Class models, giving a small improvement in official f
