New Mercedes And 200 made me temporarily become the hero of Valentin Gaft from the film "Magicians" according to the script of the Strugatskys, who took possession of the magic wand. "I want it to open!" And the door lock dutifully unlocks. "Hey Mercedes!" This is not just a courtesy, but a command to activate voice control. “What else could you wish for? I want to go home!" Navigation immediately paves the route to Moscow from the Croatian resort town of Split, where the driving presentation took place. And there is more than enough such applied magic in the new Mercedes.

The resemblance of Mercedes to the VP, the magic wand of the Strugatskys, is enhanced by an unpretentious appearance. This is how you imagine the A-class artistic council, by analogy with the scientific council at NUINU, the Scientific Universal Institute of Extraordinary Services.

And who is it ... created?

An interesting decision. Democratic. Conveniently.

To be honest, I saw something more elegant ... But if there are no objections, then the form is accepted.

Drag coefficient Cx reduced from 0.27 to a class-record 0.25 due to improved aerodynamics wheel arches and installation of optional active Airpanel blinds (7,600 rubles) behind the radiator grill, not only behind the top, like its predecessor, but also behind the bottom

On the other hand, no matter how much the A-class is scolded for the lack of a Stuttgart breed, over the years it turns out that everything is calculated exactly. The magic of the coveted three-beam star, coupled with relative affordability, works flawlessly: over 3 million "asheks" have been sold in 20 years! Moreover, in the past year, the A-family (Daimler traditionally also includes the platform-based B-class plus CLA sedans and station wagons) with a result of 420,000 cars sold confidently outperformed the “ones” and “twos” of BMW (a total of 383,000 cars) and Audi A3 of all suits (313.5 thousand).

The glazing line dropped a little, the body pillars became thinner, and the front ones, thanks to the mirrors on the legs, also lost their massive bases. Now it will be much easier to control the situation around, especially for short girls

In addition, Mercedes proudly reports that the previous generation of the A-class with the factory index W176 broke with the image of a grandmother-mobile and made a revolution: the A-class not only increased sales, but also rejuvenated the Mercedes audience by ten years! Therefore, the motion vector is the same: no more gondola layouts, like the W168 / 169 with a sandwich floor and original rear suspensions. Development - in the same "youth" direction modular platform MFA, indirectly confirmed by the evolutionary change of the index from W176 to W177.

Behind it became more spacious in the knees and above the head. And the girl sits like that because the pillow is short and low, like in the old W176. Recessed headrests are still available only with standard seats, and with "sports" (pictured) integrated ones block the view back

Clients did not like the cramped salon? In Mercedes, they increased by three centimeters wheelbase and slightly added space in breadth and height. It became more spacious, and the new shape of the less rounded opening tailgate made entry and exit easier. However, on a low sofa with a short pillow it is still cramped. Yes, and the trunk did not become huge, although the tail has grown a good nine centimeters - now 370 liters will fit under the rigid shelf instead of 341 liters before.

Following the example of BMW, Mercedes now has not just a ski hatch, but three-section split backrests, and you don’t have to pay extra for them. The passport volume of the neatly trimmed compartment with two bag hooks has grown to 370 liters, and now the A-class is 10 liters ahead of the “one” BMW and the same behind the Audi A3. The electric drive of the fifth door and the dokatka, alas, are not in the list of options

But those wishing to be in the driver's seat will increase for sure. Getting into this mysterious and exciting salon is like being in a treasure trove. Therefore, the first thing I did was turn on Edvard Grieg's Cave of the Mountain King from a flash drive.

In order for the A-class interior to be the same as in the photo, you need to start configuring with the Style version for 1 million 890 thousand rubles

The front panel is like a sheer cliff with a waterfall of a huge display: a ridge of corrugated keys that pleasantly cool the hand, and turbine deflectors. And if you find yourself in a tunnel or just in a semi-dark underground parking lot, all this will play in the rays of contour lighting so that comparison with the E-class or the new Gelendvagen will not seem blasphemous. After all, democracy inside the A-class is only given out by thin paddle levers made of inexpensive plastic and the inability to order an electric steering column.

But you forgive all this for MBUX, Mercedes-Benz User Experience. This is a new multimedia developed jointly with NVIDIA and LG. And she's cooler than the Comand in the S-class! The main thing in it is not even the ability to swipe left and right and up and down or a fast processor and amazing graphics, where is the image from the camera front view Navigator overlays house numbers. And not a responsive touchscreen, which turned the duplicate optional trackpad into an atavism. The most important thing is artificial intelligence! It is thanks to him that MBUX can itself structure the menu according to the frequency of your requests, self-learn and execute not only standard commands, but also ornate ones like “Put more fun music”. And the ability to quickly and accurately control almost everything with your voice casts doubt on the usefulness of gesture control in BMW.

MBUX impresses with friendliness thanks to artificial intelligence. But for the joy to be complete, you need to pay extra 42 thousand rubles for a widescreen display.

Engines? We, the Russians, should not be interested in either the improved Renault diesel (1.5 l, 116 hp) version A 180 d, or the upgraded Mercedes A 250 gasoline turbo engine (2.0 l, 224 hp), designed for use with a hybrid makeweight. For this year only the A 200 will be brought to us with the latest supercharged gasoline engine joint development of Mercedes and Renault. With a power of 163 hp. the working volume is downsizing 1.33 liters. Although European automakers, in particular Volkswagen-Audi, in connection with the introduction of measurements of carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption under the new WLTC cycle and the RDE (Real Driving Emissions) procedure, are already switching to right sizing - 1.5-1 .8 liters for such power.

Cylinders 2 and 3 disengaged by sliding camshaft cams, exhaust manifold integrated into the head, high compression ratio of 10.6: 1, operation on a homogeneous mixture - the new M282 gasoline turbo engine, the fruit of the collaboration between Mercedes and Renault, exactly repeats the technical solutions old Volkswagen engine 1.4 TSI ACT. But the working volume is smaller (1.33 instead of 1.4 liters), the degree of boost is higher (163 versus 150 hp), and on the walls of the cylinders there is a special Nanoslide coating and a rare one has been applied so far on gasoline engines particulate filter

Our new engine specially designed for real, not imaginary efficiency, - the mechanics of Mercedes calmly retort. - We have optimized the shape of the combustion chamber, a special Nanoslide coating on the walls of the cylinders to reduce friction, the exhaust manifold is integrated into the cylinder head, and at partial loads, shifting camshaft lobes turn off the second and third cylinders.

The seven-speed "robot" with two wet clutches on the A 200 and A 180 d modifications is not from Mercedes, but from the Getrag brand. New box The 7DCT300 is designed from the ground up for modular docking with electric motors (the A-Class will certainly have hybrid options!) and is designed for torque up to 300 Nm

I believe in economy unconditionally: paired with a seven-speed Getrag preselective box with wet clutches, designed for torque up to 300 Nm (the old and heavier preselective own development only the A 250 version remained under 350 Nm), with an assertive ride, the A 200 consumed an average of only 8.4 l / 100 km. This was facilitated by an intelligently working start-stop and the box itself, which at every opportunity went into neutral. But neither one nor the other did not cause the slightest protest! The union of the motor and the preselective is perfect: good traction is everywhere and always, without the signature Mercedes thoughtfulness.

No more "sticks" - the hood holds the gas stop. By the way, pay attention to the absence of a soundproofing coat on the hood. An engineering calculation showed that a double plastic box on the motor shield, as on older models (this was not previously used on the A-class), and correctly selected windshield give a greater effect: the W177 is significantly quieter than its predecessor

One could only complain about the sound, not as juicy and assertive as the previous 1.6. But there are even more complaints about the two-liter unit, on which I nevertheless optionally swept. At low speeds, the A 250 rumbles like a diesel! So I'm unlikely to look forward to its appearance in Russia.

Most Russian A 200s will have an H-beam at the rear. Multi-link complete with adaptive shock absorbers - an option for 93 thousand rubles. Surcharge for Avantgarde rigid sports suspension lowered by 15 mm - 27 thousand. And enlarged by 15 mm ground clearance will cost only 9416 rubles

The Mercedes MFA chassis has evolved in the direction of lightening: front suspension wishbones of the McPherson type and steering knuckles now aluminum. And behind on the A 250, on the future all-wheel drive modifications(currently only offered front-wheel drive), on all machines with adaptive shock absorbers and / or wheels larger than 18-inch, there will be an upgraded multi-link. But on all other versions - a simple twisting H-beam!

Mercedes has traditionally been proud of its intensive development testing program, which included a total of 12 million kilometers for the A-Class on four continents.

Thankfully, it doesn't turn the Mercedes into a cart, just a little louder and rougher. But only the rear passengers will notice this. By the way, they will grumble more than anyone else on potholes, complaining about hard pokes. And the driver of the A 200 will be pleased with the European-style dense, “meaty” suspension. And this is equally true for cars with passive shock absorbers, 18-inch wheels and a beam, and for an advanced version with a multi-link, 19 discs and adaptive struts - I rode both.

They are the same in terms of handling. Mercedes doesn't try to flirt with you like a Jaguar, twisting in every turn, and doesn't show excessive zeal for steering lunges like a BMW. No, everything is noble, with dignity. But it's fast and accurate. And the branded electromechanical jelly on the steering wheel can be changed to sincere, like a confession, reactive action, simply by clicking the Drive Select button in Sport. Moreover, the level of effort itself will not increase!

Mercedes' new word in safety is the operation of the blind spot monitoring system for three minutes after the engine is stopped. It can detect even a cyclist moving faster than 7 km / h, and in case of danger, when the door is opened, it will give a sound signal

It remains to wait for the versions adapted for Russia, where the suspension, as usual, will be raised by 15 mm: with a standard European clearance under full load is 110 mm, and in the sports Avantgarde version - 95 mm. And the A 200 engine will be derated for us to a tax-friendly 150 hp, and the particulate filter will most likely be amputated.

Dual-mode radars front and rear, stereo camera and parking sensors (front side with a range of 4.5 m!) - A-class semi-autopilot arsenal is the same as the flagship! Surcharge for the package of driver assistance systems Plus - 179 thousand rubles. Adaptive cruise control with a single radar is three times cheaper - 56427 rubles

But most importantly consumer quality unlikely to be harmed by it. Say "Hey Mercedes!" and to be ten years younger - isn't that what many people dream of?

“What do you get, miracles for cash? How much will my rejuvenation cost me?

There are glare without a visor, but thanks to a special coating on the display, they do not really interfere even in sunny weather. And you can configure virtual instruments as you like!

By the standards of compact premium hatches, not so expensive. The initial version of the A 200 Comfort with two truncated seven-inch screens, fabric upholstery, halogen headlights, climate control and 16-inch steel wheels is estimated at 1 million 720 thousand rubles - at the level of such cars as the BMW 118i and Audi A3 Sportback. For Style with leatherette and light-alloy wheels, they ask for 1 million 890 thousand, and the top version of Sport on 18-inch wheels and with sports seats will cost 2 million 210 thousand. Options, as always, a lot, and they are not cheap. For example, a rear view camera costs 31,500 rubles, and LED headlights - 78 thousand.

But any Mercedes, even the base one, will have a magic wand - the MBUX multimedia system. And with it you will forget about Audi and BMW. Just say "Hey Mercedes!"

Passport data
Automobile	Mercedes-Benz A 200
body type	5 door hatchback
Number of places	5
Trunk volume, l	370/1210
Curb weight, kg	1300
Gross weight, kg	1885
Engine	petrol, turbocharged and direct injection fuel
Location	front, transverse
Number and arrangement of cylinders	4, in a row
Number of valves	16
Compression ratio	10,6:1
Working volume, cm³	1332
Max. power, hp/kW/r/min	163/120/5500
Max. torque, Nm/r/min	250/1620
Transmission	robotic, preselective, 7-speed
Front suspension	independent, spring, McPherson
Rear suspension	spring, semi-dependent or multi-link
Front brakes	disc, ventilated
Rear brakes	disk
Base tire size	205/60 R16
Maximum speed, km/h	225
Acceleration time 0-100 km/h, s	8.0 (-0.4 s)
Fuel consumption, l/100 km, combined cycle	5,2-5,6
CO₂ emissions, g/km	120-128
Capacity fuel tank, l	43
Fuel	gasoline AI-95

Photobonus

From heaven to earth slightly lowers a more thoughtful study of the price list. Undoubtedly, even the basic equipment looks very worthy. But only against the background of "classmates" from the mass segment ...

Are there many buyers who are ready to buy a Mercedes without automatic box gears, climate control, parking sensors, alloy wheels and a metallic sheen on the body? And along with all this goodness, the cost of a 122-horsepower A-class is already approaching the mark of one million one hundred thousand rubles - the price of a well-equipped D-class car.

And yet, yet ... Beauty cannot be measured with money. Mercedes top managers are tired of proving to the whole world that compact car should look like family compact van, and gave Mark Featherston (chief designer of the new A-class project) complete freedom. And he did not disappoint. Without following the traditions or reinventing the wheel, the artist drew a classic two-volume hatchback. True, the “classic” body type ends.

Appearance turned out to be bold, but not rude, impetuous, but not sporty, bright, but not defiant - the perfect balance of attractiveness. And most importantly - in the new "Ashka" the true Mercedes-Benz is unmistakably read and at the same time there is individuality! Featherston was able to get away from the nesting doll principle, when all models of the brand differ from each other only in size. True, it is better to choose a color more elegant - metallic silver noticeably conceals both the sharpness of the edges and the elegant stampings of the embossed "body".

Behind the driver's door of the Mercedes-Benz A180, the eye stops, first of all, at the chic bucket seats with integrated head restraints. The feeling that they were mistakenly rearranged from some SLS AMG. In fact, there is no pronounced sportiness in them - just comfortable seats.

Otherwise, looking around, only one thought comes to mind - everything is the same. Well, almost everything. Analogies can be traced, first of all, with the new B-class, ... which recently visited our test.

The same front panel with the already familiar arrangement of all controls, the same “airplane” air vents and the same pedantic quality factor in the finish. The dark interior is diluted only with carbon fiber inserts and a silver-plated instrument panel. True, there is no need to be upset about this - for the A-class, there are many options for interior design.

The fastening of the standard screen “on the leg” in Russia has been criticized more than once for its resemblance to the navigator left in the cabin. It remains to be hoped that thieves and vandals follow the trends of automotive fashion and know that it makes no sense to pull out this device.

But staying on the second row leaves a mixed feeling ... Although, why dissemble - in the back in Ashka it is uncomfortable and uncomfortable. A strong bevel of the rear door and the roof makes you bend your head more when landing, and when you sit down, you clearly feel the proximity of the ceiling

Sufficient legroom is released only due to the vertically set back of the sofa - you sit on the line. Add here also the surrounding darkness of the black interior, the access of light to which is blocked by massive front seats and small windows. In general, from the family image of the car previous generation Mercedes left indicatively, which also emphasizes the space behind the fifth door ...

The A-class trunk is the smallest of all direct competitors - 341 liters. "Odnoklassniki" from BMW, Audi and Lexus, he loses from 19 to 64 liters. The opening is narrow, in our version there is no hatch for long vehicles, and in the underground there is no spare wheel whatsoever. Repair kit only.

On the move, the Mercedes-Benz A180 again brings back memories of its older "brother". It is related to the B-class not only by the same powertrain pair of engine and gearbox, but also by an identical suspension scheme: McPherson in front and a “four-link” in the rear. Even in terms of weight, the cars differ slightly - "Ashka" is only 55 kg lighter.

Surprisingly, the power of the 122-horsepower hatchback engine is enough. Though new A class immediately adjusts to a measured ride. Due to the weightless gas pedal and the default Eco-mode, in the first moments it seems that the A-class does not want to accelerate at all. But as soon as the accelerator has passed a third of its stroke, the potential of the turbo engine is revealed.

Its main advantage is elasticity at low and medium speeds, thanks to a solid supply of torque. The 7G-DCT transmission also works in perfect harmony with the engine, the setting of which, without false modesty, can be considered a reference. There are no special problems with overtaking either in the city or on the highway - there is enough traction, and the gear that is needed is stuck. The main thing is to try to work ahead of the right pedal. Only then does predictable, linear acceleration appear. Another way is to immediately turn on the sport mode.

The dense energy-intensive suspension of the A-class does not turn any road into a mirror, however, it smooths out irregularities very nobly: without unnecessary sounds, shaking and vibrations of the body. Sustainability? It is also exemplary: in sharp turns, the car stays to the last, without scaring the driver with either rolls or sliding off the trajectory. But they didn’t turn Ashka into a driver’s car - the steering wheel is accurate, but it lacks sharpness even with increasing speed.

But the Mercedes did a great job on aerodynamics, which affected, first of all, the silence in the cabin. At 100-120 km / h, no gusts of wind, no howls of incoming air around the mirrors and A-pillars. Only an unobtrusive rumble of tires, and even then only on rough pavement.

Overall, new Mercedes-Benz A-class did not deceive expectations. And from the outside, and inside, and in motion - this is a real Merc. Let family-pragmatic values ​​remain in the past, but ahead is a new image and a new the target audience. First of all, young people, who will definitely buy into a stylish appearance, illuminated, moreover, by the radiance of a three-beam star.

And what about cost? Take a closer look, so we already have a VW Golf, Kia Ceed or Honda Civic have long been propped up by the million dollar price point. And here is a real Mercedes-Benz ... there is something to think about and make the right move.

Mercedes-Benz A-class prices in the Russian market

The most compact Mercedes is delivered to Russia in two versions - A180 and A200. The first version for 875,000 rubles is distinguished by a 1.6-liter turbo engine with a capacity of 122 horsepower and manual transmission. For the "automatic" you will have to pay a considerable 90,000 rubles.

Standard equipment is decent: ABS, ESP, seven airbags, air conditioning, MP3 radio, rain and light sensors, heated seats, cruise control, adaptive headlights, blind spot monitoring system and many less significant options. List additional equipment just as extensive and Mercedes expensive.

Boosted to 156 horsepower A200 in the "Special Series" is sold for 1,170,000 rubles. For this money, the car will already have a seven-speed 7G-DCT transmission, parking sensors, alloy wheels and metallic color.

Competitors of Mercedes-Benz A-class in the Russian market

First of all, the new "Ashka" is designed to fight in the market, of course, rear-wheel drive BMW 1-series. And we can safely say that the “Bavarians” in this segment will have to move. Interestingly, the starting price for cars is absolutely the same - 875,000 rubles. True, the BMW 116i is more powerful, but loses a little in terms of equipment.

In 2013, a small A-class minivan, well remembered by everyone for its remarkable appearance, went down in history. The new generation, unexpectedly for everyone, was a sleek, low semi-sporty hatchback, painted with a paint shining like French nail polish in cheerful shades.

The appearance of a glamorous little car, as it turned out, goes well with the interior. Unlike the previous generation, the interior space Mercedes-Benz A-class does not cause a desire to do the measurement of the volume of the trunk. The thought of transporting goods in this tiny living room on wheels seems ridiculous. If you really need to carry something, you will have to put luggage on the seats the color of whipped cream, and in order not to stain them, you can only carry gift boxes tied with a wide red ribbon. Festive packaging will look great in the evening, when, in response to pressing a button on the chip key, the illumination lights up invitingly in the cabin. With her, the hatchback becomes like a pleasure boat, sailing at night along a dark river. In the cabin, not only ceiling lights shine, but also hidden lights in the door pockets and niches, conditionally separating the headrests from the backs of the front seats. Ghost light does not go out even on the move. Illuminated by the soft rays of an orange hue, the salon resembles a nightclub chill-out.

The image of the owner of this car has developed in two stages. Mercedes-Benz A-class will be a great gift for a daughter who graduated from high school with a gold medal and entered a prestigious university. But you, like one of my friends, who went to buy a MINI in a powerful configuration for his wife, can also become a victim of the charm of the A-class. The thirty-two-year-old man kept it for himself, giving his wife a pretty decent crossover.

Serious people will take this statement with irony: how is it to take a car for girls? The fact is that it can be difficult to part with a beautiful thing, even if it is female. Such is the attraction of beautiful things. A-class is a beautiful thing.

So what did Mark Featherston, who led the development of the new generation of the A-Class, do to create an attractive car?

First of all, this is a common body type. Five door hatchback was in everyone's life at least once, and many retain warm feelings towards him. At the same time, he is not endowed with a particularly bright personality - the charm is not revealed immediately. At some point, looking from the side, you realize that with sixteen-inch wheels and thin tires, the A200 looks great. You stop to take a closer look and notice the bizarre curves and cutouts front bumper, sharp stamped edges and complex lines born of the designer's imagination. The exterior of the car is far from minimalist, they did a good job on it. A work of art differs from an ordinary thing in that it can be admired more than once. That is why even a middle-aged man, not devoid of a sense of beauty, can suddenly keep a small Mercedes for himself. Many now have two cars, and this is not the limit. We do not idealize the hatchback. The more complex the item, the more likely it is to have flaws. And the A-class has them, you will read about them. The only question is in which direction the scales will swing for you personally.

Mercedes-Benz has never had a model in such a body, especially front-wheel drive. Therefore, it is possible to confidently say that it is the Merc that is in front of you, but only from certain angles. The driver following you is unlikely to accurately identify the brand. Perhaps the German origin can be guessed at the expense of design rear lights. From the side, too, not everything is clear. But if you look at the front or three-quarters, everything becomes clear, even without a huge star with three rays on the radiator grille.

In the front, family features are especially noticeable, making the small hatchback related to the B-class and other modern Mercedes-Benz models. This is the almond-shaped headlights, looking at the world with a mixture of naivety and slight aggression, the line of the hood and, of course, radiator screen with two massive horizontal bars.

The most noticeable interior detail of the A200 is the seats front row imitating sports "ladles". In this case, the word "imitation" does not have a negative connotation, because the seats are made flawlessly. However, those who have had to squeeze into sports monolithic chairs will understand the difference. It consists in the fact that the seats in the A200 are soft, and you don’t need to squeeze into them. The feeling of similarity is enhanced by triangular headrests, which are integral with the backs of the seats. Interestingly, the CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake has exactly the same seats. It's nice when, acquiring the most modest model, you understand that you were treated with the same care as a person who is ready to part with a larger amount. However, even the A-class costs mind-blowing money. But more on that later.

I would not call the chairs ideal - they are cramped, although I am only 174 centimeters in me, and in winter I do not go in voluminous outerwear. Lack of space does not allow you to adjust them the way you want, you have to do it the way you want. It's not the lack of adjustments on the joystick with memory on the door and not the position of the steering wheel, which changes in two directions: just the body is too small.

At first, it seemed to me that the front edge of the roof somehow hangs too much over my head, even with my modest height. But later this feeling disappeared, especially when I lowered the chair cushion almost to the floor. Still, it was comfortable to sit.

The main disadvantage of ergonomics is visibility. It is useless to look to the left when rebuilding - in front of you is a solid wall, or rather, a “fat” rack. Yes, massive “pillars” will save you if, God forbid, you have to “tumble”, but small rear side windows and even more modest rear door glass cross out the hope of seeing something in the dead zone with your own eyes. In addition, a smart belt draws you to the chair, which first measures the volume of the chest, and then tightens it “to the eyeballs”, depriving the last opportunity to turn around in a monolithic chair. It remains to trust the mirrors, the rear-view camera, which, by the way, suggests the parking trajectory, and the tracking system for dead zones, signaling danger by illuminating triangles in the exterior mirrors and short, initially frightening sound signals.

Trying to deal with the visibility problem, I accidentally opened one "foolproof" in the A200. Driving the hatchback through the gate in reverse, I, in order not to hook the pole, opened the door ... and immediately stopped. The Germans are categorically against antiquated parking methods. The box switched to "P" mode as soon as I opened the door.

The rear row of seats was moderately comfortable. This convenience is achieved through luggage compartment, the smallest compared to competitive models such as the BMW 1 and Audi A3. I was too lazy to change Baby chair for the sake of a single trip, but the 173 cm wife, riding with a child on her lap, said that she was comfortable. Exit and entrance for passengers back row as light as possible - the door swings open at an angle of 90 degrees, and you don’t have to get your clothes dirty.

You forgive the flaws of sound insulation in advance for a small hatchback, but the acoustic protection of the A-class is not perfect in only one thing - the noise comes from below, from the wheel arches. Perhaps the hearing is simply sharpened because it cannot perceive anything else. Standing at the crossing, I was surprised to note that I did not hear the sound of the wheels of a freight train passing 15 meters from the car. I could not get into the salon even a semaphore call. There is, however, one small drawback: if the wind comes in while driving at a certain angle, a funny whistle appears in the cabin, although the mirrors are made according to all the rules of aerodynamics and are installed on consoles.

Looking at the front panel, you understand - Mercedes has elements that are deliberately and diligently cultivated. Ventilation deflectors, similar to those installed on the A200 panel, were used in the Mercedes-Benz 220 W180 / 128, but they are similar in the modern SLS.

This detail perfectly characterizes both the interior of the A200 and the brand as a whole. Even in the cheapest front-wheel drive hatchback, the plastic will be of high quality and soft, the seats will be beautiful (and in our case also leather), the panel will be decorated with carbon fiber inserts in the right places. The interior of the A-class is not at all "childish", although a restrained attempt to give it a "youthful look" is evident. This is another reason why an adult can unexpectedly keep the A-class for himself, even as a second car.

Mercedes A-class is a robot on wheels, and that says it all. Basically, the robot is busy with business, and he is not up to you. It matches the engine speed with the transmission and looks for ways to prevent you from flying off the road if you miscalculate something in your steering or get too close to a car in front or to the side. So that you do not interfere with his work, the cabin has an extensive set of functions available through the screen mounted on the top of the console, through the buttons below it and the not very convenient joystick. In addition, the function controls are duplicated on the steering wheel, which makes the area around your hands, in my opinion, overloaded. The joystick is inconvenient for its location. To operate it, you need to put your hand on the armrest, which at the same time is the lid of the box located between the seats. The armrest moves back and forth, but in both positions, the hand must be twisted like a bird's paw to pull the joystick with your fingers. However, let the passenger do it, and you will get used to steering on the steering wheel.

In order not to get bored on the road, you can fry the front passenger with a separate climate control (fortunately, the car has an excellent stove), call through the hands-free system, delve into navigation system, listen to music, play with the adaptive cruise control, or burn all the fuel in autonomous heater salon, as I did. Unfortunately, the vigilant Germans deprived the driver of the opportunity to access the Internet on the go, although such an opportunity is provided for in the media system. However, listening to music through Harman Kardon speakers will help you come to terms with the limitation.

I got the impression that the media system is really friendly only with Apple phones. I connected two HTC smartphones to it and talked on the phone, but when asked to issue a summary traffic situation and give the opportunity to check the mail, the car answered with a phrase in the spirit of "This device does not support this function."

The navigation system surprised me by diligently depicting the forest as you drive past it, but does not recognize the houses built, according to the inscription on the facade, in 1970. We are talking about the buildings of a large enterprise located in the suburbs, 35 kilometers from the capital. This is a clear shortcoming, given the advances in electronic cartography in recent years.

I got an A200 hatchback with a 1595cc petrol turbocharged four-cylinder engine developing 154 horsepower. Perhaps someone would regret that it was not an A250 with a two-liter turbocharged engine that produces 208 hp, but not me, because it seems to me that for such small car 1.6 liter turbo is enough. In addition, the blocks for these engines are the same. Looking under the hood, you can see what a massive unit is located there, occupying almost all the free space. I emphasize this, because you can’t look at many modern engines without tears - how they withstand 150–180 supercharged forces and do not fall apart is amazing. A250 with a 2.0 engine accelerates to 100 kilometers per hour in 7 seconds and can develop top speed 240 kilometers per hour. A200, according to the sensations, is not inferior to him. The speedometer scale for the A250 and A200 ends at the same mark - 260 kilometers per hour.

I honestly wanted to test what it's like to drive a turbocharged small hatchback at speeds over 200 km / h, but I didn’t succeed - the weather didn’t allow it. Therefore, I will limit myself to expressing confidence that the car is "driving". There is, however, one "but". The seven-speed 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission, how can I put it right... this is the very robot that does not want you to climb into his business. According to the official treatise, “smooth shifts almost elude perception”, and “the already low noise level in the car is reduced as a result of a lower speed crankshaft". All this is true, but the box prevents you from accelerating as you expect, taking into account the power of the engine, and, contrary to all the laws of the universe, does not contribute to reducing fuel consumption. During the two weeks of the test, I only drove into the city once, but the consumption never fell below 10 liters per 100 kilometers.

The robot lives its own life. The built-in "ECO start-stop" function automatically turns off the engine when idle before traffic lights or in traffic jams and then starts it again. In order to force the engine to accelerate the car in ECO mode, it is necessary, in the literal sense, to stomp the accelerator pedal. It is wrong to use slang expressions in the text, but after two or three brief presses on the pedal, the car suddenly starts to race, “like an injured one,” because the box, like a spurred horse, immediately switched down 3 steps. When a turbine is also connected to the process, you just have to drop the pedal, so you run into a car that is driving, and even accelerating, in front. Power of the untwisted engine in winter conditions so excessive for one axle that the car regularly slips when starting from a standstill on asphalt.

Here it is appropriate to note a decision that seemed extremely controversial to me, who had never owned a Mercedes-Benz. To the right, under the steering wheel, is the gear selector. Many other vehicles have a turn signal switch in this location. If we were talking about a mechanical lever with a lock, I would not be indignant, but in the A-class we are dealing with an electronic transmission mode switch. Blocking on the go is not provided, I specifically checked this. You can press the button on the end of the switch and stand dead in place, moving before that at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour. Going into "P" mode on the go is nonsense. Imagine what would happen if you accidentally hit the button at high speed.

While I was getting used to, another incident happened to me related to the box switch. Taxiing onto the highway, I “turned on the right turn signal” ... and drove back, straight into the car of the driver who was waiting for me to leave. After some time, having decided to overtake a slowly moving gentleman on a suburban highway, I “turned on the left turn signal”, and ... shamefully returned to my place, having driven 25 meters at full throttle in neutral gear. Fortunately, there was no oncoming car.

Work multi-link suspension does not cause any particular complaints, except for the disadvantage that even in Comfort configuration she's a little tough. One can imagine how shaking on Russian roads those who have purchased a hatchback with a sports suspension. Adaptive power steering is beyond praise. The steering wheel is moderately heavy when you turn it while standing still, and remains so when accelerating to any speed.

I don’t know what’s the matter here - in excess torque or lack of weight, but in 2 weeks I almost flew off the road several times, although the hatchback was “shod” in a set of excellent studded Finnish tires. After hearing stories about Mercedes-Benz's outstanding stabilization system, I was a little surprised by how easily this front-wheel drive car starts to "float" on icy slush, passing through a not too steep long turn. I've been driving for 15 years and I know how to behave, but a student girl may not be able to cope with such a situation. Conclusion - with even more powerful engine you need to be very careful when driving an A-class on suburban highways in winter.

Oddly enough, a clearance of 14 centimeters for a car is enough, even if you live in a suburban village where the roads do not have time to clear by the time you need to go to work. I checked it very simply - I drove the hatchback in reverse to a parking lot covered with snow 30 centimeters above the thresholds. I just drove until I had piled up enough snow with the rear bumper that further movement would cause scratches on the beautiful “nail polish” covering the bumper. After that, I got out without any problems, trying to go forward not in my footsteps. The main thing is not to let the engine break the wheels into the "box".

The DISTRONIC PLUS system, which helps the driver to automatically maintain a distance from the vehicle in front, turned out to be a great toy. I suspect that DISTRONIC and the accident prevention system, which gave me unpleasant surprises two or three times, are one and the same. The surprises were that on a small screen located between the analog scales of the speedometer and tachometer, right on the go, for no apparent reason, a message appeared that the accident prevention system was not working. At the same time, the car simply stopped accelerating, but honestly drove. The impression was that throttle valve, and the gearbox stood up to protect the engine, depriving the driver of the opportunity to do jerky movements. Having seized the moment, I drove up to the side of the road, and after the "reboot" the error disappeared without a trace.

I chose the dirtiest cars to test the DISTRONIC PLUS, including a tall barrel marked "Flammable", and "clung" to them at speeds from 30 to 150 kilometers per hour. All in vain: it was not possible to deceive the radar sensor even once. In addition to keeping the distance within a predetermined speed range, DISTRONIC PLUS automatically slows the vehicle down to a complete stop. Automatic braking occurs with a deceleration value of up to 4 m/s2. Then, when the car you are “hooked up” starts to move away, the DISTRONIC PLUS system automatically accelerates the hatchback to the set speed. If DISTRONIC PLUS thinks it would be a good idea to brake harder, it warns you with an intermittent horn and a warning symbol illuminates in the instrument cluster. If braking ends in a stop, you just need to pull the lever of the Tempomat system or lightly touch the accelerator pedal. The toy is simply magical, but again, not for girls. Works always and everywhere, even in traffic jams, in traffic conditions with frequent stops.

Before us is a robot disguised as a glamorous hatchback. The beauty of it is that it allows driving in completely opposite styles. If you are used to being in the oncoming lane more often than your own, the box's sport mode, strong turbocharged engine and rigid suspension let you do whatever you want. If you're a girl or golden boy, you can partake of the gifts of a premium brand without having to buy a hefty sod. If you're retired, you can doze off (but don't sleep!) while driving, relying on the accident prevention system. The only question is whether you are ready to pay for an A-class hatchback from 1 million 150 thousand rubles (A180), up to 2 million 400 thousand rubles for the A45 AMG 4MATIC "Special Series". The car, which I managed to ride, costs 1 million 450 thousand rubles.

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