subject: Mercedes-benz A-class Good Around The City [print this page] A face lift for the Mercedes-Benz A-class conservatively enhances design and safety, in ways you'll appreciate but are unlikely to notice.
New transparent lens covers, an extended air intake in the lower bumper, and integrated replaceable rub strips are the major giveaways, while Mercedes-Benz fanatics will instantly pick the extra black fin in the grill, raising the crossbar count to four.
Safety has also come in for attention, particularly where it concerns acronyms. The ESP, or Electronic Stability Program, has been updated, allowing Mercedes-Benz to fit hydraulic Brake Assist to the A-class for the first time.What does this mean to you and I? Shorter emergency stopping distances. The car's computer senses a panic stop and deploys the brakes to their maximum ability.
We road tested the A190 Elegance for a weekend with its 1.9 litre, 92kiloWatt four cylinder engine and clutch less five-speed manual gearbox.
Not exactly an abundance of power, the A190 nevertheless has engine enough for most prospective buyers. While the auto-clutch can take some getting used too, the system is hard to fault. After just a weekend of driving, changing gears without use of the left foot soon became second nature.
The A-class is prone to tall car syndrome in corners, swaying and lurching a little under pressure. This is probably a result of having such a tall body on a relatively small footprint. After we got used to the A-class' heady ways we ceased to notice it.
The A-class' strength is definitely more evident around town, where its high seating position gives you good vision, and its compact dimensions allow for easy maneuvering through traffic. Ride quality is generally good, the suspension taking most uneven surfaces in its stride. While the A190 could not be considered a sports car, cornering the A190 provides a pleasant sense of security, in spite of the high ride position.
The A-class struggles on country roads, where the temptation to up the pace can overwhelm better judgment. Don't be fooled by the alloy wheels, low profile tyres, and sporty dress-up kit, this is definitely a compact luxury car for the city. And quite a good one at that, especially given Mercedes-Benz's strong track record of building safe, sturdy vehicles with strong resale values.
