Top of the class

Angela Pisanu awards the latest Mercedes A Class top marks for fuel economy and sustainability

Mercedes’ BlueEFFICIENCY models are designed in such a way that everything – from the engine right down to the wheels – is optimised to lower emissions and minimise fuel consumption. Enhancements include improved engine technology and aerodynamics, reduced rolling resistance tyres and weight saving measures.
    
The model I drove was the A160 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Elegance SE which is a strong, reliable compact car. In true Mercedes style, it has an excellent range of safety features, including two-stage front airbags, belt tensioners, belt force limiters, active front head restraints and head/thorax sidebags. The model also benefits from interior crash-responsive emergency lighting which is switched on automatically following a severe accident, giving the passengers better orientation and providing better visibility for the emergency services.

Strong fuel economy
The fuel economy is very impressive at 62.8mpg on a combined cycle. I had the car for a week and after driving over 400 miles, I still had just under a quarter tank of diesel left. The A Class is also easy on CO2 emissions – 122g CO2/km, putting it in the third lowest tax band.
    
But it’s not just low emission levels that makes this car green. The latest A Class has also been certified to the strict international standard ISO 14062 ‘Design for Environment’, meaning that the car’s entire lifecycle, from production and operation to eventual recycling and disposal, has kept its environmental impact to a minimum.

Hill driving
One feature that really stood out for me was the car’s Hill Start Assist. I drove the car in Sheffield which is notorious for its steep hills. But hill-starts were never a problem – when you take your foot of the brake, the car holds for a second or two, giving you time to get to the biting point before the car rolls back.
    
The exterior has an elegant quality to it, due to its smooth, seamless shape. The interior is roomy and ergonomically appealing, with seat cushion angle adjustment and lumbar support, and seat height adjustment for the driver’s seat. The car’s high-up driving position gives you a good level of visibility and makes manoeuvres such as parking easier to do.
    
At around £17,000, the A Class would appeal to business customers who need a strong, reliable compact car with good safety features – and who also want the reassurance you get from Mercedes’ premium quality engineering and brand image.