Mercedes-Benz A200: Intelligent, related however… – Gadget

I’ve develop into used to fashionable automobiles attempting to outsmart me. They recognise highway indicators, look ahead to automobiles in blind spots, control lane markings, discuss to my telephone, discuss to me and, in some circumstances, seem to consider that parking is an exercise finest left to computer systems. So, once I climbed into the Mercedes-Benz A200, I anticipated a reasonably severe know-how fest.

And there’s definitely loads of know-how on board. But there’s additionally one thing I didn’t look forward to finding in a Mercedes-Benz at this worth: manually adjustable entrance seats. Rather old skool.

Yes, actually. I used to be genuinely shocked to find that I needed to attain down and bodily transfer the motive force’s seat into place. There was one thing oddly refreshing about it, though I’m not positive that “refreshing” is the primary phrase that involves thoughts when speaking a few characteristic that the majority automobiles handle with the push of a button.

It additionally made me realise that the A200’s know-how price range had been allotted to slightly particular locations.

The centrepiece is Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX infotainment system. The A-Class has develop into one thing of a showcase for the system, and the brand new A200 continues that method with a digital cockpit and a central media show. The digital instrument show measures 10.25-inches and will be configured to indicate totally different info and presentation types.

The central display handles the standard assortment of features, together with navigation, media, car settings and smartphone connectivity. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported wirelessly, which might be one of the vital helpful items of know-how within the automotive. I can deliver the apps I already know and use into the car slightly than spending time studying yet one more producer’s model of how you can discover a restaurant, play music or make a telephone name.

The A200 does have loads of driver help know-how. The accessible programs embody help for sustaining a secure following distance, steering assist and parking help. Active Parking Assist can assist discover a appropriate parking house and help with the manoeuvre, whereas the reversing digicam gives a a lot clearer view of what’s occurring behind the automotive.

Smaller know-how touches abound within the cabin. Wireless smartphone integration retains cables to a minimal, whereas USB connectivity caters for the inevitable assortment of units that now accompanies nearly each journey. Digital radio is out there and, relying on specification, the A-Class will be fitted with significantly extra subtle tools, together with a head-up show and Burmester encompass sound.

Then there’s ambient lighting, with as much as 64 colors accessible. This is maybe the proper instance of contemporary automotive know-how that’s good to have slightly than important. I might select the color of the inside lighting, however the A200 won’t develop into a greater automotive as a result of I’ve chosen blue slightly than crimson. It does, nonetheless, make the cabin look suitably upmarket at night time.

Underneath all this know-how is a traditional petrol powertrain. The A200 makes use of a 1.33-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 120kW and 270Nm, driving the entrance wheels by way of a seven-speed 7G-DCT dual-clutch computerized transmission.

Mercedes-Benz has positioned the A-Class as a premium product and, whereas the A200 definitely has the looks and know-how anticipated of the model, discovering manually adjustable seats feels barely at odds with that positioning.

• Pricing for the Mercedes-Benz A200 begins at R755,985.

* Sheryl Goldstuck is common supervisor of World Wide Worx and editor of GadgetWheels. Follow her on Bluesky on @crazycatbuzz.bsky.social.