It’s a well-documented fact that hatchbacks in India are forever linked with the idea of mass mobilisation and therefore hit something of a glass ceiling when it comes to being aspirational products. The 2013 MercedesBenz A-Class did plenty to rehabilitate hatchbacks in the eyes of the well-heeled. It was bold, sensational, athletic and comfortable. But the pressures of being a modern-day gateway to true Teutonic luxury meant that from the chrysalis of the erstwhile AClass, there had to emerge an even more refined, practical, and comfortable car.
Make no mistake, the spot occupied by the new Mercedes-Benz AClass Limousine, isn’t an easy one. It has to be opulent-yet-attainable, luxurious-yet-economical. And given that space has become a defining attribute of modern-day luxury, the A-Class has to go from being a car to a statement. From a sedan, to a limousine. Thankfully, that’s exactly what Mercedes-Benz India has done. The long wheelbase in the all-new AClass Limousine, is essentially the idealised version of the beloved A that you’ve been waiting for.
The sculpted contours and creases have been replaced with a more fuss-free and taut exterior, one whose benefits go beyond visual appeal. Because according to MercedesBenz the A-Class Limousine is the most aerodynamic series production car they’ve ever made. In its latest guise, it’s hard to argue with Mercedes’s logic because the new car genuinely looks as good as it possibly can boot and tailgate in tow. The interiors pack plenty of top-shelf goodies.
A single-panel screen running halfway across the dash, jet turbine style rotary dials with ambient lighting options. Mercedes’s trademark MBUX system now gets voice command, a digital assistant and a customisable digital cluster. It’s got two engine options. A 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel that remains unchanged and a new 1.3-litre, turbo petrol that remains the main object of curiosity. The petrol motor is spirited enough in the city, and works in tandem with the car’s highly slippery exterior to gather pace. The chassis feels light, taught and undeniably smooth.
It does, after all, have 160bhp, which gallop with considerable gusto. The 7-speed DCT interacts with the motor in a sublime manner, with smooth decisive up shifts, although it’s the paddle shifters that really bring out the motor’s zippy character. The diesel gets a lot more torque at the bottom end, offering the sort of refinement that only Mercedes’s diesels can boast of. With an 8-speed DCT, it remains very engaging to drive. On the whole the AClass Limousine manages to be a showstopper with unparalleled style, tech laden features and hands-on practicality. Mercedes’s baby is all grown-up.
