mercedes a cdi pics review

Mercedes A180 CDI Review, Specifications, Price, Images and Details

But does it like going around the corners?

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To be honest, I never really had huge expectations from a FWD. However, the A Class  is not your mundane Japanese hatchback and to say that this car was quick to point the ‘wrong finger’ at all my pre-conceived notions about the baby Merc’s handling prowess will be an understatement. Rather, it almost makes you sneer at yourself for having them at the first place! Yes, I was pleasantly surprised with the way the A Class made short work of most of those hairpins and sharp corners. Even at close to triple digit speeds, the car holds its line pretty well. However, things aren’t as rosy once the speedo needle approaches even higher speeds. While the chassis and steering still feel quite up to the task, the hitherto muted tires start making some noise.

The Mercedes A Class I drove sported 17 inch wheels, shod with 225-section Pirelli rubber. These tires, while looking a tad over sized and fat for the A Class, aren’t quite as grippy as they look. Squeals come by without too much effort. The A Class, however, even while sliding and slithering comes across as a delightfully balanced machine. Its great fun letting the A Class’s tail wag, as it’s as easy to bring back as it is to swing out. Tyre noise is a tad on the higher side though.

The car’s steering is pretty communicative and at city speeds, has just the right amount of weight to it. Unfortunately though, it doesn’t really weigh up well as the speed builds up.  

However, in spite of the rather average set of tires, its really tough for me to recall the last time I had so much fun piloting a FWD, diesel powered car with little over 100 horses of max power! While the A Class is not the ultimate corner-carving tool, it should keep most of its owners pleased with the minimal body roll and its accurate and reasonably well-weighted steering.

Sounds good. . what about ride quality and braking? 

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As must be obvious to you by now, the car’s suspension has been tuned in favor of handling and while this car’s ride quality isn’t anything to complain, you wouldn’t exactly get a magic carpet ride either. On a well-paved, pothole-less road, the car feels as stable as most of the D segment sedans out there and even at speeds well above the triple digit mark, feels well planted, in a fashion typical of most Mercedes passenger cars. However, the A Class isn’t too fond of large undulations and craters. While most road-irregularities are evened out, the suspension does let you know about the hard work it’s doing.

The brakes on the Mercedes A Class could come across as a tad grabby (need a little getting used to) to some but are otherwise very efficient in hauling down this tasty looking car from speeds even on the wrong side of the 120 kmph mark.

Flip to next page to read about engine and gearbox 

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