Or would going for a higher-grade used car like the A6, E-Class or BMW 5-series be a better option?

BHPian LifeIsTravel recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Dear Experts,

I want to buy a premium car now and test drove the A4 and A-class. Want to buy only petrol because I am in Delhi NCR.

Drove GLA and Q3 also and realised that I am not an SUV person. BMW 2-series seems like a car for 2 people. Everything else beyond budget which is ideally 40-45L OTR.

What I liked about the A4

• Overall felt more luxurious than A-class
• Feels more spacious inside (apart from the central bump for rear-center seat)
• Feels more plush inside (retro luxury)
• Ride felt more comfortable

What I liked in A-Class

• New age / tech-luxury feel
• Interior is jazzy
• Driving felt more sporty

Important for me

• Car Price
• Maintenance cost
• Comfortable for long drives for 4 people

I am no car expert e.g., I hear A4 is now old technology OR that Merc’s 8-year warranty makes a difference – I frankly can’t judge.

• Confused about which of these two I should buy. Please guide.
• If Audi A4, then is there a big difference between Premium Plus and Technology variants?
• OR, will a higher-grade pre-owned car (A6 / E-Class / 5-series) be better? (But hard to find 2-3-year-old pre-owned petrol sedans also under 40L)

Please help me choose. Thank you.

Btw, why there are no sedans in the range of 25-45L in the market?

Here's what BHPian lamborghini had to say about the matter:

The A4 is a segment higher than the A-Class globally, but is a relatively older model as you rightly pointed out.

Keeping in mind your priorities:

• Car Price: A4 is definitely a better deal. You are getting a C Class competitor for the price of an A-Class!
• Maintenance Cost: Sharing parts with VW/Skoda should hopefully keep prices in check and better availability of spares. Also, they have good warranty programs that are worth exploring, post which please do shift to a good independent mechanic irrespective of brand. In my experience with the previous gen A6 & C Class - the A6 was definitely easier to live with and maintain barring Air Suspension - which the A4 doesn't get.
• Comfortable for long drives for 4 people: larger A4 again wins this round.

As for variant differences - all boils down to what you will find useful. There are many who are happy with the basic Premium trim; forget premium plus / technology.

Buying a pre-owned higher grade car that is only 2-3 years old: your options should be 330i or A6. The E Class & 5 series are generally priced higher for such examples, though the A6 may fall in the bracket due to heavy discounts + is a newer generation compared to E/5 which has already unveiled the next generation and will soon be outdated.

Here's what BHPian GoBabyGo had to say about the matter:

Get yourself an Audi A4. However, if you have your own house and space to install EV charging in your parking area, check out the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Its on-road Noida price is 48.75 lacs and hopefully, you will get some discount also.

Ioniq 5 has a practical range (from 100% to 20%) of 400 km in the city and 375 km on highways. Maintenance cost is not very high. Service support from Hyundai is fantastic.

If you are not open for an EV, get A4 and enjoy.

All the best for your purchase.

Here's what BHPian AKSarkar1 had to say about the matter:

I have been a diehard Mercedes supporter but recently given certain budget requirements switched to Audi as well, albeit pre-owned. Funnily enough, I have found the maintenance to be on the cheaper side since VAG cars have part sharing and this sometimes results in unexpected but more than welcome savings.

The A4 and A-Class are simply not in the same league, an Audi equivalent of the A-Class would be the A3 (hatchback or Sedan) which was formerly available in India. The current generation of the A Class is drab and uninspiring, the interiors are a bit too cramped and basic for my liking.

I would say go in for the A4 any day over the A-Class if the budget permits.

And lastly, as a Sedan lover, I feel your pain! Just until a decade ago, you could buy everything from a Jetta, Passat, Fluence and Octavia in the mid to high 20L range!

Here's what BHPian sauravpat had to say about the matter:

With the kind of discounts that Audi Delhi offers, you will get the A4 at no cost premium over the A-Class for a much bigger and more powerful car. The A4 is a more sophisticated car and a lot better for 4 people at a time. Would definitely recommend A4.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The hot-hatch is powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces 415 BHP and 500 Nm

Mercedes-Benz India has revealed a teaser for the AMG A 45 S hatchback on social media.

The hot-hatch is powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces 415 BHP and 500 Nm. An 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission delivers all that power to all four wheels via the 4Matic all-wheel drive system. Mercedes claims that the A45 S can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 270 km/h.

The AMG A 45 S gets a Panamericana grille at the front and a roof spoiler at the back. The car rides on 19-inch alloy wheels.

The A45 S will be imported as a completely built unit (CBU) and is expected to be launched soon.

The car is available in three variants - A 200 Progressive Line, A 200d Progressive Line and A 35 AMG.

Mercedes-Benz has launched the A-Class Limousine in India. The car is available in three variants - A 200 Progressive Line, A 200d Progressive Line and A 35 AMG. All variants including the A 35 AMG will be assembled locally.

The Progressive Line trim comes with diamond-stud pattern grille with LED headlamps on either side. The AMG version comes with a sportier looking front grille and body kit. While both variants get dual-exhausts, the AMG version gets twin oval exhaust tips and AMG-style dual-tone alloy wheels. On the inside, the A 35 AMG gets a sports steering wheel, Burmester audio system, and Dinamica microfiber black upholstery.

A-Class Limousine feature highlights:

• Panoramic sunroof
• 2-zone automatic climate control
• Wireless charging
• Cruise control
• 12.3-inch Touchscreen infotainment head-unit with touchpad and Apple CarPlay
• Digital instrument cluster

The A 200 is powered by a 1.3-litre, turbo-petrol engine producing 161 BHP and 250 Nm. It comes paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. A 2.0-litre diesel engine powers the A 200d. It produces 147 BHP and 320 Nm and is mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

The A 35 AMG is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine tuned to produce 302 BHP and 400 Nm. The engine is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system. The car is claimed to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and has a top speed of 225 km/h.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine ex-showroom prices:

• A 200 Progressive Line - Rs. 39.90 lakh
• A 200d Progressive Line- Rs. 40.90 lakh
• A 35 AMG - Rs. 56.24 lakh

Summing up, the diesel is eager, with plenty of poke low-down and mid-range. Pairs well with the excellent 8-speed DCT, and can be at home both in-city and on expressways...whether crawling, cruising or sprinting

Mercedes A-Class Limousine 2.0L Diesel AT Review

The A200D is powered by a 1,950cc, 4-cylinder diesel engine that produces 148 BHP and 320 Nm of torque. Coupled with an 8 speed DCT transmission, Mercedes claims a 0-100 km/h timing of 8.2 secs, together with a fuel efficiency figure of 21.35 km/l. On paper, it is faster, more fuel-efficient (than the petrol) and has a lesser CO2 emission figure of 124 g/km as against 135 g/km on the petrol.

The diesel starts up with a bit of clatter and a light shake when cold, but settles to a thrummy idle once warmed up. It's not the most refined specimen out there and nobody will mistake it for anything other than a diesel, but not annoyingly so. Engine noise becomes evident at anything above 2,500 rpm.

The abundant torque available from low down is very evident as one moves off from a standstill, and it doesn't miss a beat as the DCT climbs up the gears. City driveability is good & turbo-lag is well controlled. We didn't do a timed run but the claimed 0-100 timings seem perfectly achievable. The mid-range is great and, combined with the slick DCT, it can really move. The AT is well mated to the engine.

Throttle response is relatively muted in Eco. Upshifts happen early and progress is smooth and sedate. Perfect for city driving and being chauffeured around. Let the powertrain do the work while you relax with your favourite music in B2B traffic.

Switch to Comfort and you can perceive the engine's changed behaviour. Comfort mode is versatile, to the point of being dual-personality. It's a lot more eager than Eco, but stays composed and balanced even if you go heavy on the right foot. Downshifts are still smooth but snappier, and we were able to close a gap in traffic (or overtake on an undivided carriageway) by just poking the accelerator. This is probably the best mode of the lot. Well-balanced overall, and will probably become the most-used mode for buyers irrespective of traffic conditions.

Switch to Sport, and it's really yanking at the leash. Upshifts happen higher up the revs, the motor growls as it puts the torque down, and progress is brisk. Gears are held longer, although not annoyingly so. Up & downshifts are a little jerkier here. Sport is a bit too eager, firm and jumpy for crawling through city traffic on the way to office. Good if you're sprinting solo on smooth expressways and in the mood for fun only.

Summing up, the diesel is eager, with plenty of poke low-down and mid-range. Pairs well with the excellent 8-speed DCT, and can be at home both in-city and on expressways...whether crawling, cruising or sprinting.

Note that the speed alert chime is LOUD, but the tone used is not distinctive and can easily be mistaken for a smartphone notification, especially for the single beep 80 km/h warning.

Mercedes A-Class Limousine 1.3L Petrol AT Review

The A200 is powered by a 1,332cc, 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 161 BHP and 250 Nm of torque @ 1,620-4,000 rpm. Coupled with a 7 speed DCT transmission, Mercedes claims a 0-100 km/h timing of 8.3 secs, together with a fuel efficiency figure of 17.5 km/l. We took one for a short spin and below are our first impressions.

This motor, unlike the diesel, has a laggy bottom end and is noisy when revved, in a boomy rather than a throaty sort of way. But coupled with the quick shifting DCT - it's pleasant enough and adequate when driven sedately, so if you are looking at driving calmly, you should be okay.

The petrol launches well and can sprint through the punchy mid-range, but the boomy drone and mediocre top-end means it gets boring and/or annoying quickly. Will disappoint anyone used to high-revving, redline-happy petrols.

If the characteristics sound familiar, yes, it's from the same family as the Duster 1.3L Turbo and has been co-developed with Renault-Nissan. Competent motor for the sub-20L segment, but not for 'Mercedes' money.

In our opinion, the 2.0 diesel is the superior motor, offering great performance in all scenarios. The petrol is adequate for sedate use, and badge value obviously matters in the luxury segment, but petrol enthusiasts looking for outright performance should look elsewhere.

Gearbox Impressions

Both gearboxes are smooth, quick-shifting and don't get confused or hunt for gears in any of the automatic modes. Upshifts and downshifts are mostly only perceptible from a change in engine note in Eco & Comfort driving modes, but can get a little jerky in Sport mode. We were never stuck in the wrong gear waiting for a shift, and the gearboxes felt very responsive overall.

M can only be engaged through the paddles, but there is no pure manual mode in which the gearbox will remain in "M". The gearbox moves back to "D" after a couple of seconds. We have noticed this in some other Mercedes models too. Hence, you will be using "M" mainly when you want a downshift or engine braking. Also, the DCTs don't hold gear at high revs in M mode.

The response time to your paddle shift commands has no perceptible lag.

Driving Modes

The car is equipped with FOUR driving modes, three preset - Eco, Comfort & Sport and one DIY - Individual Mode.

Eco: As the name suggests, it's the economy mode tailored for sedate driving and fuel economy. Throttle response is muted, and the engine takes a while to respond. On the diesel, it's perfectly suited for the urban crawl and being chauffeured around. The petrol with its weaker bottom end will demand some patience.

Comfort: This one's versatile, and perfect to exploit the diesel's wide mid-range. Well-balanced combination of smooth shifts and an eager motor at your beck & call with a single tap of the right foot. Our favorite mode, equally at ease in-city and on the highway. The petrol feels most at home in this mode too.

Sport: The most aggressive option, and best left for occasional spirited solo drives or with a like-minded co-passenger. Revs stay high, gears are held longer, and shifts can get aggressive, more so if clubbed with Manual mode. Throttle response isn't a world apart from Comfort, while the ride experience is considerably jerkier. Not worth the trade-off, in our opinion.

Individual: One for the Do-It-Yourself folk who want everything just right. Nice to play around with different parameters, but it doesn't really make a world of difference like in higher-powered performance cars. Still nice to have if you want some combination not met by one of the presets.

Mercedes A-Class Limousine Ride, Handling and Braking

Ride quality is compliant and comfortable, but not plush. Passengers will notice road undulations & surface imperfections, but not feel them in the spine. Taller tyre sidewalls definitely help. Suspension travel range isn't huge, and going over potholes or flyover joints will transfer into the cabin.

The car feels compact and perfectly sized for urban use, while the light steering at city speeds makes it a breeze to potter around. Decent turning radius reduces the need to make too many 3-point U turns. The steering firms up well at higher speeds, but does not offer much in terms of feedback.

When driven spiritedly, the A-Class feels planted in a straight line with no unnerving vertical suspension travel on undulations. Typical Mercedes in that sense. Understeers predictably for a FWD when cornering at high speeds, and hard cornering can unsettle the rear.

ORVMs are a size too small, compromising visibility. The IRVM is restricted by the thick C pillar design and high surface behind the rear seat. Will need rear cameras and sensors to reverse & park confidently. A special mention when we're talking about sensors. The Park Assist system is overly sensitive, and beeped constantly if anyone got anywhere in the vicinity. Might get annoying on congested Indian streets.

All-disc setup means the anchors shed speed effectively, although the pedal feel isn't progressive. It's a bit sensitive and bites quickly in the initial part of pedal travel, needs some getting used to. No issues braking from higher speeds, and the car always stopped without a fuss in a straight line.

Continue reading the discussion on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limouzine on our forum.

The A-Class Limousine will be offered in three variants - A 200, A 200d and A 35 AMG.

Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to launch the A-Class Limousine in India on March 25, 2021.

In India, the A-Class Limousine will be offered in three variants - A 200, A 200d and A 35 AMG. The car will be assembled locally, including the AMG version.

The A-Class Limousine will be equipped with features such as a panoramic sunroof, 2-zone automatic climate control, electrically adjustable front seats, wireless charging, cruise control, reversing camera, touchscreen infotainment head-unit with touchpad and digital instrument cluster.

The A 200 will be powered by a 1.3-litre, turbo-petrol engine producing 161 BHP and 250 Nm, while a 2.0-litre diesel engine will power the A 200d. It produces 147 BHP and 320 Nm. The petrol engine will be paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the diesel will be mated to an 8-speed DCT.

The A 35 AMG will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine tuned to produce 302 BHP and 400 Nm. It is claimed to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and has a top speed of 225 km/h.

The A City and A Adventure are expected to debut in 2022.

According to a media report, Mercedes-Benz is working on two new models that will be positioned below the A-Class.

The A City will be an entry-level hatchback, while the A Adventure will be a crossover. Both cars are expected to debut in 2022.

It is said that the A City will be shorter than the current A-Class. It will be a 3-door hatchback with an interior optimized for space and a large tailgate.

The A Adventure will be the new entry-level SUV. It will essentially be a crossover based on the A City. It could get roof rails and plastic cladding on the sides. While it may feature a rugged look, it won't get all-wheel drive.

Source: Autobild

Mercedes-Benz has decided that it will reduce its focus on smaller and cheaper models like the A-Class and B-Class in the future. The company will not prioritise allotment of resources for the development of these cars.

The move comes as the company is looking to cut spending on research and development and reduce the size of its model portfolio, in an attempt to reduce its break-even point. The company does not plan to focus on volumes, but is aiming to increase its profits.

While Mercedes-Benz admits that the A-Class and B-Class had helped rejuvenate the brand it claims that it does not want to become a competitor of the volume makers.

Mercedes’ profits have been cut down by billions of Euros due to high fixed costs and costs incurred to deal with allegations surrounding the carbon emissions of diesel cars.

Source

According to a media report, Mercedes-Benz is likely to launch the A-Class Limousine in India in the third quarter of this year. Mercedes has already started taking bookings for the new model.

The A-Class Limousine was unveiled at the 2020 Auto Expo. The car is a replacement for the CLA.

The A-Class Limousine is expected to be offered in a single variant called Progressive Line. As per the brochure, it comes with LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and LED tail lights as well as features such as panoramic sunroof, 2-zone automatic climate control, electrically adjustable front seats, wireless charging, cruise control, reversing camera, touchscreen infotainment head-unit with touchpad and digital instrument cluster.

The AMG version gets a different grille, redesigned bumpers, 5-spoke alloy wheels and twin exhausts. On the inside, the car gets a multi-function sports steering wheel in nappa leather, a Burmester audio system and keyless-go.

In India, the A-Class Limousine is expected to be offered with three engine options. The standard model could get petrol and diesel engine options, while the AMG version could get a more powerful petrol engine.

Source

Thanks to Kunal Tandon for sending this information in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts via this Team-BHP page!

An e-brochure including variant details of the Mercedes A-Class Limousine is now available on the brand's Indian website.

The A-Class Limousine will be available with petrol and diesel engines and is likely to be offered in one variant called as the Progressive Line. It comes with LED headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights and LED tail lamps. The car has a dual-tone rear bumper with chrome inserts.

Progressive Line comes equipped with features such as panoramic sunroof, 2-zone automatic climate control, electrically adjustable front seats, wireless charging, cruise control, reversing camera, touchscreen infotainment head-unit with touchpad and digital instrument cluster.

The Mercedes-AMG A-Class comes with different grille and bumpers, 5-spoke alloy wheels and twin exhausts. It also gets a multi-function sports steering wheel in nappa leather, keyless-go and a Burmester audio system.

The Mercedes A-Class Limousine is available in five colour options - Cosmos Black, Denim Blue, Mojave Silver, Mountain Grey and Polar White.

Big shoutout to Rehaan for shooting these pictures & his coverage of the Auto Expo. Thanks for sharing, man!

Mercedes had the A-Class Limousine on display at the Auto Expo 2020. Click here to read our report on the same.