The Mercedes-Benz entry level offering, specifically targeted at a younger audience, has in the words of the marque ‘grown up’, and with a plethora of new tech and styling certainly delivers on the declaration. From the outside it has a longer (by 12cm), stronger and lighter wheelbase than before, and a more sophisticated look, particularly with the ‘predator face’ – bluff nose and slim-line headlights delivered through a design philosophy defined as sensual purity. The A-Class also delivers on the highly regarded Mercedes-Benz safety and assistant features, including Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, which can keep the vehicle ahead of you at a safe distance, and Active Brake Assist that will warn you in an event of an imminent collision or brake autonomously to better protect you and other road users in an emergency. However, it’s on the inside of the A-Class where the ‘all-new’ promise really comes to life. Firstly, there are no conventional dials at all, just highly configurable screen displays (two in fact), providing a glass-like cockpit feel. The intuitive multimedia system, called Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) has the ability to adapt every detail to meet your exact demands, driving style and needs, all with one swipe on the touchpad, steering wheel or – for the first time – on the new touchscreen. Thanks to the new LINGUATRONIC, the A-Class obeys you like never before, understanding you without having to learn commands first. It speaks to you, reading out text messages, or dictating one and sending it. It also changes the radio station or takes you home on the fastest route. Two words are all it needs: “Hey Mercedes”, and right away the new A-Class is all ears. The Head-Up Display is completely automatic. Just one glance and you instantly know the speed, speed limits or navigation instructions. All relevant information is displayed in your field of vision. The position and content can be adapted and stored with the memory function. You can adapt the ambient lighting to your mood as well as the display styles in the instrument cluster and the central monitor. For differing driving styles, DYNAMIC SELECT offers different predetermined settings for engine, transmission, suspension and steering at the touch of a button. For instance, with Sport mode you drive decidedly dynamically, and very balanced with the basic Comfort program. ECO, on the other hand, emphasises maximum efficiency and saves fuel and money. The ECO drive mode gives you particularly comprehensive support when you want to reduce CO2 emissions and pollutants. The comfort suspension offers a dynamic total package, making the road-holding ability even more solid. The optional lowered comfort suspension of 15mm works with specially tuned springs and dampers, with a deliberately sportier design than on the standard suspension. With the Individual mode, you choose all the respective parameters yourself. That means you can select a sporty setting for the powertrain and at the same time set the suspension to comfortable. The choice is really all yours. For those looking for a luxury car with style, comfort and sport styling, the all-new A-Class won’t disappoint. WORKSHOP 25