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00:12 You might hear people describe the new A-Class as just a facelift and they wouldn't be entirely
00:16 wrong.
00:17 It's been three years since the last brand new A-Class was completely redesigned.
00:21 But don't let that put you off.
00:23 The whole thing has been freshened up and reimagined.
00:27 That means not just the looks but also the way the car handles.
00:30 Let's have a look and see what's changed.
00:32 A facelift in the truest sense has now taken place because the new A-Class now only comes
00:38 with a distinctive diamond grille which can feature optional LED headlights to show the
00:42 way forwards.
00:46 The instrument cluster and some styling features are new and crisp.
00:49 New colours and materials ensure a fresh appearance.
00:54 The seat length can now be adjusted and the car now features true smartphone connectivity
00:59 via Apple CarPlay or MirrorLink for iPhones or Android devices.
01:06 Three years ago some critics felt that the handling of the then new A-Class was a little
01:11 too tight.
01:14 Mercedes has listened and addressed this with its latest model.
01:17 Adaptive chassis control now allows the handling profile to be changed according to your requirements,
01:23 combined with the Drive Select system, the car can now transform easily from an athlete
01:28 to a comfortable everyday vehicle and back again.
01:32 For me, Dynamic Select is an absolute must on this car.
01:37 It comes as standard on most models but even where you have to pay a little bit more to
01:41 get it, it's well worth the money.
01:43 It's really hard to believe that a car with this much potential can drive so smoothly
01:47 through town with just one twist of the button.
01:50 It makes all the difference in the world.
01:52 Car when you want it, comfortable smooth driving when you don't.
01:56 The new entry level petrol engine for the baby Benz, the A160, comes with 102bhp.
02:02 While the four cylinder is not exactly a torque monster, it does kick out a more than respectable
02:07 180Nm at just 1,200rpm, giving you more than enough power and comfort.
02:15 There are also four diesel engines producing 89-177bhp.
02:20 Normal petrol engines range from 102-218bhp.
02:25 The car's performance is even more important than usual because we are test driving the
02:29 top model of the new A-Class around Dresden, the 381bhp AMG A45 4MATIC.
02:39 The extremely strong 2.0-litre turbo engine makes the A45 the most powerful standard compact
02:45 production car in the world.
02:47 380bhp, you really know where that's going.
02:54 But don't worry, the brakes are pretty good too.
03:01 The maximum torque available to the powertrain is a whopping 475Nm, achievable from 2,250-5,000rpm.
03:12 That results in a lot of driving pleasure.
03:15 This car does 0-100 in 4.2 seconds, and that's faster than it just took me to tell you that.
03:23 Top speed is limited to 250km/h.
03:28 Here the standard consumption is pretty reasonable, 6.9 litres of fuel for every 100km driven.
03:37 The feeling I get when I sit behind the wheel of this car is, why not?
03:42 Either behind one of the weaker engines, or with this absolute powerhouse.
03:47 With Dynamic Select, it just absolutely puts a smile on your face.
03:51 Now obviously all of that doesn't come cheap, you have to pay a premium price if you want
03:55 to have that star on the front of your car.
03:57 But when you take this round the racetrack, you want to drive it again, and again, and
04:03 again.
04:04 And suddenly, €51,000 doesn't seem like such a bad deal after all.
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