Mercedes-Benz UK is adding two new models to its A and B Class range. Sporting the ECO designation, these models are based on the Mercedes A 180 and B 180 CDI diesel and promise better economy, with CO2 emissions from just 92 g/km.
Available from January 2014, Mercedes A 180 and B 180 ECO are both equipped with a manual transmissions with longer ratios in the higher gears, an improved energy recuperation system and make use of a lightweight fuel tank to save on weight. What’s more, the suspension has been lowered on both models -10 mm front and 15 mm rear for A-Class, and 20 mm at the front and 15 mm at the rear for B-Class – to help with the aerodynamics.
Compared to the standard 180 CDI models, these cars offer significantly better fuel economy – 78.5 mpg for the A 180 and 74.3 mpg for the B 180 – without any change in the 0 to 60 time and top speed. Needless to say both vehicles are free from road tax and the Benefit In Kind company car tax.
As for the pricing, the A 180 CDI ECO SE is priced from £21,965 on the road, with the B 180 CDI ECO SE from £22,950 OTR. They will be joined by a 4MATIC all-wheel-drive version of the A 250 which starts from £28,985 for the AMG Sport and £30,905 for the Engineered by AMG trim. There will also be a four-wheel-drive B 220 4MATIC which stars at £28,135 OTR.