2019 Mercedes-Benz A180 arrives at $42,300
Mercedes expands its base A-class range with new range-opener, and more A250 choices
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatch range is about to have a new entry point of $42,300 before on-road costs, thanks to the arrival of the A180 range-opener. This is about $5000 cheaper than the A200, which was serving as the base model.
At the same the company has expanded the performance-oriented A250 range, adding a front-wheel drive model as price-leader. Both the A180 and the revised A250 range will be in dealers by March 2019.
The new base version of Mercedes’ pint-sized tech showcase is priced smack-bang between the Volkswagen Golf Highline and the GTI hot hatch. Or perhaps more relevantly, between the Audi A3 1.4 CoD and 2.0 TFSI Sport variants.
The A180 is no stripper, getting standard features such as the MBUX multimedia system comprising two 10.25-inch screens, the Amazon Alexa-style machine-learning voice control system activated by saying ‘Hey Mercedes’, and a steering wheel with buttons that respond to smartphone-style swipes and presses.
You also get active safety tech such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assist, parking assist, blind-spot monitoring and traffic sign recognition.
Other bits include a reversing camera, LED headlights, satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio, smartphone integration, keyless start, and sports seats in human-made 'leather' upholstery.
Style-wise, the A180 gets the so-called Style Equipment Line with diamond-pattern radiator grille plus 17-inch twin-spoke alloy wheels.
The engine is a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The engine makes 100kW of power and peak torque is 200Nm, while combined-cycle fuel consumption is a claimed 5.7 litres per 100km.
For context, the previous base A200 model ($47,200) adds 18-inch alloy wheels, twin pipes, wireless phone charging, adaptive high beam assist, and a tuned-up version of the 1.3 engine making 120kW/250Nm.
Meanwhile, the 165kW/350Nm A250 hot-ish range (in lieu of the Mercedes-AMG A35 due in late 2019) will be expanded. There’s now a base front-wheel drive version, plus two with 4Matic AWD; the ‘Limited Edition’ and the AMG Line.
Said AMG Line pack adds 18-inch AMG bi-colour alloy wheels, AMG Line body styling, Night Package with window tint, keyless-go, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting and fake leather/suede seat upholstery.
Both the A180 and A200 get a torsion beam rear suspension setup, whereas the A250s get a multi-link arrangement.
2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class pricing:
- A180 - $42,300 (February 2019)
- A200 - $47,200 (Available now)
- A250 FWD - $48,800 (March 2019)
- A250 4MATIC Limited Edition - $49,500 (Available now)
- A250 4MATIC with AMG Line - $54,800 (February 2019)
All prices exclude on-road costs
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