Staff Writer
The A 200, code-named M282, is equipped with a Mercedes version of the 1.3-liter four-cylinder turbo gasoline engine, which was jointly developed with Renault. Its all-aluminum structure can not only control its weight, but also its semi-integrated intake and exhaust manifolds make it compact in size. More importantly, it uses the most advanced technology to reduce friction and improve efficiency, obtaining centralized multi-hole injectors, and electronically controlled wastegate turbochargers.
But the highlight of this engine lies in its smoothness and exquisite characteristics. In almost complete silence, it feels comfortable when wandering around town at low revs. The build-up of the boost is linear and very sensitive to percussion. However, driving in an enthusiastic manner, its small capacity becomes more apparent as it seems to be working hard to provide its performance. You can maximize the speed at 6,200 rpm, but it is not particularly free, and you will not enjoy speeds of more than 5,000 rpm, because it starts to sound tense, accompanied by mechanical whine and noise . Drivers with attentive ears often hear a sporty hiss from the wastegate after releasing the accelerator.
AMG’s series production engines are equipped with twin-scroll turbochargers.
Paired with this engine is a new 7-speed automatic transmission from Getrag, which uses two wet clutches. This kind of gearbox shifts smoothly. Unlike some other DCTs, it will not become jerky even at city speeds or during deceleration or downshifts. Enhancing the A 200’s responsiveness is its short transmission, which also translates into considerable acceleration, with a 0-100kph sprint in only 8.50 seconds.
Stepping into the A 200d after gasoline, you will hear the hum of diesel and feel a slight vibration due to its relatively coarse idling speed. This car is equipped with the proven OM654 1,950cc four-cylinder diesel engine, which can be used in other Mercedes models. However, in the A 200d, it uses a horizontal layout to provide power to the front wheels instead of the longitudinal rear-wheel drive setup in other models. Diesel felt stronger than gasoline from the beginning, producing a maximum torque of 320 Nm at a speed as low as 1,400 rpm, and staying strong in the range of 2,100 rpm. The power is transmitted by a strong surge, all the way to the red line of 4,600 rpm, with a small peak at 3,000 rpm. Compared with gasoline, cruising and overtaking are more confident, not only because it provides an extra 70Nm of torque, but also because the larger engine displacement brings extra ease and ease. The noise level can be well controlled at around 2,500 rpm, and diesel drones can only filter it out.
The AMG A 35 provides sports car-like performance without breaking the bank.
The A 200d, which debuted in India, is an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission that is not only as compact as a 7-speed DCT, but also lighter in weight. The gear ratios are well judged and closely stacked, it contributes to faster response and rapid acceleration. Driving enthusiasts will love this transmission because of its speed, intuitiveness, and the way it provides additional engine braking when decelerating (in sport mode) is very cleverly done. ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? This kind of gearbox is very good, you will rarely find that you need to manually control it through the paddle shifters. Overall, this gearbox is smooth, but in sport mode, it tends to become too aggressive at low gears, which will surprise you.
Although this engine produces 150hp and 320Nm in the A 200d, in our tests, it completed a 0-100kph sprint in 7.62 seconds, which is 0.6 seconds faster than the time claimed by Mercedes. It also reached 200kph, which is nearly 4 seconds faster than the 163hp A 200 gasoline. More importantly, the acceleration of the diesel engine from 20-80kph and 40-100kph through gears is much stronger, which shows that the performance of the engine seems to be stronger than the figures show.
The third product in the A-class luxury car lineup is the more powerful AMG A 35, which is powered by an M260 306-horsepower, 2-liter, four-cylinder turbo gasoline engine and uses a twin-scroll turbocharger to improve low-speed response and Assisted driving performance. The good thing is that, at city speeds, it feels easy to change gears in time, there is no delay in power transmission, and the personality is very quiet. However, the A 35 as a kit allows you to drive with energy and push it to the limit to truly appreciate its features. Equipped with a start control system, 0-100kph only takes 5.13 seconds. AMG’s 7-speed DCT transmits power to all four wheels, so it is effortless. Switch to the most aggressive Sport Plus setting, and you will even hear a lovely buzzing sound from the exhaust pipe, which further adds drama to the driving experience.
