New Mercedes-Benz A-Class officially launches in South Africa – What’s available

Following its unveiling in October 2022, the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class has finally hit South African showrooms.

Sold in both hatchback and sedan guises, the entry-level Mercedes will now retail from R794,509 being available in Progressive and AMG Line trims with two powertrains between them, resulting in a total of six standard models.

There are also three high-performance AMG variants on offer, which have a minimum asking price of R1,136,946.

Features

Standard kit on the new A-Class comprises a dual-screen setup with a 7-inch driver monitor and a 10.25-inch central media display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside a Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel, three-dimensional Artico leather seats, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, LED headlamps with adaptive high-beam assist, and a reverse camera with active parking assist.

The Progressive’s cabin can then be had in Beige, Black, and Sage Grey, it receives dark carbon fibre-look finishes, and it rides on 17-inch wheels.

The AMG Line adds brushed aluminium trims, red contrasting stitchwork, Artico leather/Microcut microfibre upholstery, Sports seats, and AMG floor mats – in addition to sportier bumpers and 18-inch rims.

Jumping for the fully-fledged AMG versions further brings a flat-bottom Sports steering wheel, AMG pedals, and a more aggressive exterior design consisting of an AMG front apron with a front splitter in chrome, AMG side skirts, and an AMG rear apron.

Engines

The front-wheel-drive A200 is equipped with a 1.3-litre, turbo-petrol drivetrain generating 120kW and 270Nm while making use of a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

Thanks to its mild-hybrid additions, the A200-badged models average a fuel consumption of between 5.4-5.6l/100km, accelerate to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds (8.3 for the sedan), and reach a top speed of 225km/h (230km/h for the sedan).

The A200d makes use of a 2.0-litre, turbo-diesel unit producing 110kW and 320Nm which manages an even better 4.5l/100km.

Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, this powertrain drives the front wheels only and achieves a 0-100km/h time of 8.4 seconds and a top speed of 227km/h.

It’s worth noting that the A-Class hatch is only sold in petrol whereas the sedan is on the market in both fuel types.

As for the AMG versions, the A35 gets a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol unit with 235kW and 400Nm, letting it sprint to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds before capping out at 250km/h.

The range-topping A45 S, meanwhile, pushes 310kW and 500Nm out of the same powerplant resulting in a blistering acceleration time of 3.9 seconds while also being able to reach 270km/h.

Both athletic AMGs are also fitted with faster-shifting, eight-speed automatics which mesh with a 4Matic all-wheel-drive layout, and both were on the receiving end of Sports suspension systems for improved handling.