Mercedes Benz A-class Launched at Rs. 21.93 Lakh

The striking Mercedes Benz A-class has been launched in India in two variants, the petrol A180 CGI and the diesel A180 CDI. Representing the younger face of the German auto giant, the new A-class is a breath of fresh air, bringing with it a revamped design and a new outlook to the market. There has been a lot of hype surrounding the smallest and cheapest member of the Benz family, and when it comes to looks, Mercedes has definitely matched the hype.

The A-class is very easy on the eyes. The low and sloping roofline along with the long hood impart the hatch an athletic stance and the ducted rear bumper as well as the diffuser add character to the well sculpted rear end. The new metallic grille flanked by swooping LED headlights are the cherry on top of a sumptuous little treat.

The A-Class range internationally gives buyers a range of models to pick from, but for now India gets just the A 180CGI and the A180 CDI. The petrol A180 CGI is powered by a 1.6-litre unit producing 122 bhp and the diesel A180 CDI features a 2.2-litre powerplant pushing out 109 bhp. Both engines send power to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The diesel A-class reaches a top speed of 190kph while the petrol tops out at 202kph.

The A 180 CGI comes equipped with a panoramic sunroof, black diamond pattern trim seats, contrasting topstitching on the door centre panels and armrests. The instrument cluster comes with silver-finish dials. The car also has 17-inch smoked grey alloy wheels as standard as well as Bluetooth connectivity, seven airbags, an ECO start/stop function, adaptive brakes, Attention Assist system, ESP, bi-xenon lamps, and USB and iPod connectivity.

The large and imposing hatchback may be the cheapest Benz on offer, but at Rs. 21.93 Lakh for the A 180 CDI Style and Rs. 22.73 Lakh for the A 180 CGI Sport(both ex-showroom Mumbai), it may still be quite heavy on the wallet for most Indians, especially for a hatchback.

[Autocar]