The guys at AutoExpress were quite keen to get behind the wheel of the new Mercedes A Class to see if the new German hatchback was worthy of all the hype. So much so that they went to Slovenia to drive one. They grabbed the keys to a diesel version with AMG Sport Package and went for a spin. First impressions are all good about the new baby Merc. It looks stunning – at least with the AMG Sport kit on – it comes with amazing new technology features, and the engine lineup is pretty good as well.

The new A-Class comes with great new diesel engines. The basic engine in the OM 607 series develops 80 kW (109 hp), delivers 260 Nm to the crankshaft and with a manual transmission consumes 3.8 litres per 100 km, corresponding to 98 g of CO2/km. This is a 22-percent improvement over the only 60 kW (82 hp) preceding model, the A 160 CDI, which consumed 4.9 litres. The new top diesel, the A 220 CDI, is no less than 25 percent better than its predecessor: it develops an output of 125 kW (170 hp) and 350 Nm of torque, and in combination with the 7G-DCT automatic dual clutch transmission it consumes only 4.3 litres/100 km (provisional figure). The figures for the preceding A 200 CDI were 103 kW(140 hp), 5.7 litres, and 149 g of CO2/km.