SMALL cars with diesel engines go a long way. In the case of Mercedes-Benz A-Class diesel, they go a very long way.
The A180 with the same engine as its sibling the B180 has a fuel economy rating of just 5.2 or 5.4 litres/100km for the auto.
With a 60-litre fuel tank that adds up to 1153km – or a bloody long way for such a small car.
The bubble-shaped A-Class has been around since 1997, but it is the first time that it has been offered with a fuel-saving diesel.
As an economy aficionado I was keen to get my hands on one.
The A-Class was updated in October last year, with redesigned lights, bumpers, grille, wheels and exterior mirrors.
Inside, the cosmetic changes are confined to new upholstery fabrics.
The A180 CDI is powered by a 2.0litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 80kW and 250Nm of torque. It is paired with a six-speed manual transmission as standard.
If you want the auto, you can only get one as part of a package.
By the way, it’s not a true auto either but a CVT or continuously variable transmission, designed to maximise power and economy.
It takes the cost of the A180 from $39,900 to $44,500, another $4680 thanks to the inclusion of Luxury Car Tax.
As a city car most buyers will probably opt for the Metro Package which also adds active parking assist, parking guidance system, cruise control with Speedtronic and a 12V socket in the load compartment.
The so-called active parking assist is an automatic reverse parking system, which is great for getting into tight spaces. You just line it up and the system does all the hard work, including calculating whether you’re going to fit into a spot in the first place.
Around town and for the reverse park-challenged, it’s a godsend.
We’ve driven a B-Class with the same 2.0litre diesel before, but either our memory is failing or diesels have become so much better because it lacks punch.
We expected more from a relatively large engine in a relatively small body.
Our test car was fitted with the CVT transmission, but in this case maybe the standard manual would be a better option.
We’ll wait and see.
Like all models in the A-Class range, the A180 CDI comes equipped with Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BAS) Acceleration Skid Control (ASR), eight full-size airbags and a full-sized spare wheel as standard equipment.
Standard-fitment comfort-oriented features include climate control, multi-function steering wheel and display, Audio 20 sound system, and a split-fold rear bench seat.