MOTORING
Gripping stuff and even better economy:
new models join A-Class and B-Class ranges
W
ith the introduction of all-new ECO
models, the A 180 CDI ECO SE and B 180
CDI ECO SE, Mercedes-Benz UK now
offers even better economy, with CO2
emissions from just 92 g/km.
The ECO SE vehicles, available from January
2014 production, both feature weight-saving
measures, powertrain refinements, improved fuel
consumption with no impact on performance, and
improved aerodynamics, with the A 180 CDI ECO
SE offering a class-leading coefficient drag of 0.26.
These practical changes include the use of an
aerodynamic grille element, coupled with
underbody panelling and lowered suspension (-10
mm front and 15 mm rear for A-Class, and 20 mm
at the front and 15 mm at the rear for B-Class).
Both vehicles feature manual transmissions
with longer ratios in the higher gears, an improved
energy recuperation system and make use of a
lightweight fuel tank to save on weight.
Replacing the current A 180 CDI SE and B 180
CDI SE manual variants, CO2 emissions on the A
180 CDI ECO SE have been reduced by six per cent
to 92 g/km, with combined fuel consumption
increased to 78.5 mpg, compared with 74.3 mpg on
the outgoing model. B 180 CDI ECO SE emissions
have also reduced to 98 g/km CO2, a reduction of
nine per cent, with the combined mpg increasing
by eight per cent to 74.3 mpg. Despite the focus on
economy, for both models the power, torque, top
speed and 0-60 mph acceleration, remains
unchanged.
Both vehicles are free from road tax and the
Benefit In Kind company car tax band for the AClass is just 13 per cent, with qualification for 100
per cent capital allowance until 2015.
In addition to the new ECO SE models, the
advanced four-wheel drive system first seen on the
CLA 250 4MATIC, comes also comes to the A- and
B-Class from January 2014.
4MATIC all-wheel drive ensures optimum
traction and driving dynamics in all road
conditions, with torque ideally distributed between
front and rear axles by an electro-hydraulically
controlled multi-disc clutch with variable torque
distribution, which allows as much as 50 per cent
of power to be sent to the rear wheels.
The A 250 4MATIC is available in both AMG
Sport and Engineered by AMG trim, with the B
220 CDI 4MATIC exclusively in Sport trim.
The A 180 CDI ECO SE is priced from £21,965
on the road, with the B 180 CDI ECO SE from
£22,950 OTR. The A 250 4MATIC is available
from £28,985 OTR for the AMG Sport trim and
£30,905 for the Engineered by AMG trim, whilst
the B 220 CDI 4MATIC stars at £28,135 OTR.
Above: A-Class
Left: B-Class
December 2013/ January 2014 49