After months of spyshots and teasing, from as early on in March, the much-anticipated third-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class has finally been introduced in Malaysia.
The W176 was officially launched earlier today at the Renoma Café Gallery in KL, and makes its debut here in A 200 BlueEfficiency and A 250 Sport forms. The range-topping A 45 AMG isn't quite here yet, expected to arrive only in a few months time.
Powering the A 200 BE is a Camtronic-equipped 1.6 litre M 270 DE 16 AL BlueDirect petrol unit, here in its 154 hp at 5,000 rpm and 250 Nm at 1,250 to 4,000 rpm output tune, mated to a seven-speed 7-DCT transmission. Performance specs include a 0-100 km/h time of 8.3 seconds and a 224 km/h top speed.
Camtronic, a first in a turbocharged direct-injection engine, is a load management system with an earlier intake cut-off and intake valve lift adjustment. It reduces throttle losses under partial load, and helps to lower fuel consumption by up to 10% in compared to the M 270 without Camtronic.
As for the A 250 Sport, it's equipped with the 2.0 litre M 270 DE 20,, with output figures being 208 hp at 5,500 rpm and 350 Nm at 1,200-4,000 rpm. Performance-wise, the A 250 Sport has a 0-100 km/h time of 6.6 seconds and a 240 km/h top speed.
Aside from the unique dress-up bits that differentiate its Sport leanings, which include double five-spoke AMG alloys wrapped with 235/40 tyres, the A 250 Sport features an AMG sports suspension featuring a specific front axle and modified ESP characteristics.
In terms of kit, the A 200 BlueEfficiency gets what is called the Urban equipment line, which includes a two-pipe exhaust system and a front grille with the double fins finished in silver/chrome. An exterior dress up bundle called Night package gets slapped on too, most easily identifiable by the black wing mirror caps.
Interior-wise, the seats are clad in an Artico man-made leather/Larochette cloth combination, with contrast stitching. Two A 200 examples were on display at the event, a Mountain Grey unit with a crystal grey/black-based interior and a South Sea Blue unit with a full black interior.
The three-spoke multi-function steering wheel gets perforated Nappa leather in the grip area. Elsewhere, both front seats are electrically-adjustable, with memory functions. For Malaysia, the A 200 BE is equipped with double five-spoke 18-inch alloys and 225/40 rubbers.
As for the A 250 Sport, the AMG Sport package adds on bodystyling elements such as the distinct front/rear bumpers and a rather impressive diamond radiator grille. Red trim can be found on the front and rear apron, and the headlights rings are also done in red.
The black interior includes an Artico/Microfiber Dinamica upholstery combination, carbon-look interior trim, stainless steel pedals and plenty of red contrast elements - the seats, the armrests on the door and centre console, floor mats and steering wheel feature red stitching, and the air-condition vents also have a red marker ring.
Common equipment to both variants includes a Eco start/stop function, a six-speaker Audio 20 system with a 14.7 cm TFT colour display and reverse camera, and standard safety kit includes Pre-Safe, Collision Prevention Assist and adaptive Brake Assist as well as Attention Assist.
Also on, hill start assist and active parking assist, and seven airbags as standard (front, front sides and windows as well as a driver's knee airbag). The A 250 Sport also features adaptive high beam assist.
Six colours are available for our market, these being Calcite White, Jupiter Red, Mountain Grey, Polar Silver, Cosmos Black Metallic and South Sea Blue. Finally, pricing, and the A 200 rolls in at RM198,888, while the A 250 Sport goes for RM238,888, on-the-road without insurance.
Read our test-drive report on the W176 A-Class here.
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