2021 Mercedes A-Class saloon reaches the Indian shores! Starts at INR 39.90L
Let's be honest, it's a sweet deal!
My Editor wishes to own the recently-launched, Made-in-India, Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine and as such, has asked me to ‘sell’ the car to him. Well, I am no salesman but I can play with my words. India, welcome the hot, fast, and handsome 2021 A-Class. So then, why is everyone going gaga over a car that is now the entry-point to the three-pointed star in India?
For starters, it starts at just under INR 40L which, again, let’s be blunt, is a pretty great deal. Considering the A-Class is available only in a single variant, the Progressive Line, even more so.
- A200 Progressive Line – INR 39.90L
- A200d Progressive Line – INR 40.90L
- A35 AMG 4Matic – INR 56.24L
Additionally, you can have either a 1.3L Petrol or a 2.0L Diesel engine option. And, should you feel the need for more speed, Mercedes is also letting you have a chance at owning the mental A35 AMG version which will giddy you up for it has 300hp from a turbo-petrol motor. Well, that’s a good day for everyone.
In terms of design, the A-Class borrows the styling cues from a tried-and-tested formula found in the E-Class facelift and the all-new S-Class. Hence, the A-Class now has a large front grille which adds to the oomph factor the car carries. New LED headlights and taillights, new signature LED DRLs, and a smooth roofline completes the sophisticated yet, sporty look.
Jump on the inside and you’re welcomed by a twin-screen layout – 10.25-inch for the infotainment system and the same for the instrument cluster with the latest version of the MBUX system. Added features like dual-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, cruise control, powered front seats with memory function, and a wireless phone charger among others are standard.
As mentioned above, the A-Class comes with an option of either a petrol motor or a diesel burner. The petrol motor is a 1.3L, 4-cyl, turbo-petrol unit that makes 163hp. The diesel motor is a 2.0L, 4-cyl, turbo-diesel that will make 150hp. The petrol unit will come mated to a 7-speed DCT, while the diesel can be had with an 8-speed DCT.
The talk-of-the-town is the AMG A35 version of the sedan in which you get AMG-approved stylings like redesigned front grille and bumpers, sportier alloys, aggressive rear diffuser, boot-lip spoiler, and dual-tip exhausts. The engine found in the AMG guise will be a 2.0L, 4-cyl, turbo-petrol producing 306hp and 400Nm of torque. Power would be sent by a 7-speed DCT and to all the four wheels, thanks to Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class will have the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe as its immediate rival and if I was to decide, I would take the A-Class any day, mainly due to its looks because hey, if I am to spend roughly INR 40L on a car, why would I buy something that doesn’t look attractive?
What about you?
