since 1976
since 1976
IF YOU have always wanted a Mercedes-Benz A Class but would prefer a sedan rather than a hatch, well, your prayer has been answered. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) is living up to its multi-model launch strategy to widen the range of its respective model line to capture where the heart is. And with Malaysian car owners, sedan is the word!
MBM prefers to label its sedan cars ‘limousines’, even for the A Class that is in the compact car category. As Mark Raine, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, explained: “Rather than choose between the American word ‘sedan’ and the British equivalent in ‘saloon’, we felt ‘limousine’ is best as it describes our range of cars perfectly.”
Since the A Class is in the premium category, few could argue with that line of logic. And there we have the new entry-level compact limousine to the Mercedes-Benz range of vehicles. Two models are offered, pretty much along the variant options that the new A Class hatch was provided with in October last year; the A 200 Progressive Line and 250 AMG Line at slightly higher prices.
Estimated prices provided at the launch of the A Class Limousine set the A 200 Progressive at RM229,888 and the A 250 AMG Line at RM267,888 (both on the road without insurance). The prices for the equivalent A Class hatch models are RM227,888 for the former and RM263,888 for the latter.
Of course, as limousines, the latest A Class variants carry their respective advantages in greater utility that includes ‘above average’ shoulder, elbow and headroom as well as easy access to the rear. The A Class limo is said to be at the top of its segment with regard to rear headroom at 944mm (from seat to roof).
There is also the voluminous boot with 420 litres, which is said to be designed for practical usability. The boot opening is most definitely large with a width of 950mm and that should allow easy loading and unloading of even sizeable luggage items.
As expected, the A Class with a ‘tail’ helps in better aerodynamics against the A Class hatch. The limo’s aerodynamic co-efficient is 0.22, making it lower than that for the hatch (0.25) and the same as that for the CLA Coupe. This is due to the smaller frontal area of 2.19 square metres, which is smaller than that of the CLA Coupe. Mercedes-Benz says this makes the A Class Limousine having the lowest aerodynamic drag of all production vehicles worldwide.
It continues with the A Class features and appointments that we were already introduced to in the new hatch model launch late last year. This includes the MBUX or Mercedes-Benz User Experience multimedia system, MBUX infotainment system with touchscreen and the latest generation driving assistance in Active Brake Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist.
Likewise, the power unit range; the A 200 Progressive Line limo would have the 1.4-litre turbocharged engine that delivers 120kW (63hp) at 5500rpm and 250Nm that develops very early at 1650rpm. This ensures a 0-100km/h acceleration of 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 230km/h.
The 250 AMG Line is powered by a 2.0-litre engine that is also turbocharged. That means more oomph with 165kW (224hp) available at 5500rpm and 350Nm on tap from a slightly higher 1800rpm. It has to be quicker with all that output, accelerating to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds and the top speed is 250km/h.
Specifications Link here.
Specs Sheet - The new A 200 Limousine Progressive Line.pdf
Specs Sheet - The new A 250 Limousine AMG Line.pdf
