Mercedes-Benz A200d Sedan. Picture: Ray Leathern.

Mercedes-Benz A200d Sedan review: Three-pointed STAR

They call it the West Coast Amble but in the Mercedes-Benz A200d Sedan, a whistle-stop tour of Piketberg and Versfeld Pass is anything but.

by Ray Leathern

22-10-2023 19:29

in Business

Mercedes-Benz A200d Sedan. Picture: Ray Leathern.

There are many places to take a Mercedes-Benz A200d Sedan when you have it for evaluation. However, there was just something about the open expanses of a trip out West to Piketberg that rang true. You see, when the Dutch first settled beneath the silhouette of Table Mountain, Jan van Riebeeck was itching to discover what the interior of the continent he had a toehold on had to offer.

So, he dispatched emissaries out West. On their very first expedition they only got as far as Piketberg, which is to say not very far at all, but the envoys were so drawn by its untouched beauty, and crucially, a fresh supply of drinking water courtesy of the Berg River. From then on it quite rightly became a customary stopover for anyone journeying out of Cape Town. Hence the loosely translated town name: Piketberg or Outpost Mountain.

MERCEDES-BENZ A200D SEDAN

Fast forward more than two centuries and we’re making the same trip in a very capable new Teuton, the Mercedes-Benz A200d Sedan. Recently refreshed along with the A-Class Hatch, the box-fresh A200d Sedan is just the type of frugal conveyance to help experience the lush heights of this fertile stretch of terrain. Unspoilt nature and authentic people await a mere two hours on the N7 out of Cape Town. We make better than expected time in the four-cylinder turbodiesel with 110 kW and 320 Nm of torque. Fuel economy from the oil-burner is beyond impressive, too. 4.5 l/100 km compared to the claimed/combined 4.9 l/100 km. No doubt helped by a class-leading drag coefficient. Those sleek lines don’t just look good, they’re perfect for cleaving through the air efficiently.

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It’s the lonely island of rock sprouting out of the Swartland basin just beyond Piketberg that holds a special secret. You’ll see it on your approach from the N7 above the charming little town. It’s a lonely ribbon of asphalt proffering numerous hairpin bends, cambered curves, steep ascents and unsurpassed vistas all the way to the top. It’s known as Versfeld Pass, and it’s not named after the home of Blue Bulls rugby, let’s put it that way. As a driving road to evaluate the new Mercedes-Benz A200d Sedan it’s absolutely perfect because it doesn’t really go anywhere. Therefore, there aren’t many people on it.

THREE-POINTED STAR

Our Mercedes-Benz A200d Sedan features slightly tweaked styling all around. As well as a cool variation on the diamond grille. Look closely and, instead of dots, those details within the eye-catching grille are in fact three-pointed stars, like the badge. Beyond that, this test unit wears an AMG sport kit and featured LED headlamps with DRLs. Styling wise, I’ll say it’s a triumph. Low and sleek by modern-day, crossover-obsessed standards. Whether from front, rear or profile, the Mercedes-Benz A200d Sedan takes a really good picture.

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Looks, of course, are subjective – performance is less so. It is here that the Mercedes-Benz A200d Sedan proves it is brisk. Granted, zero to 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds isn’t certifiably quick, but it’s more than enough in the real world to get you up to speed and up Versfeld Pass which exacting plenty of g-forces. The Merc’s eight-speed dual-clutch transmission makes the most of the 320 Nm of torque, so you’re always in the best gear possible no matter the radius of corner.

HANDLING MACHINE

Versfeld Pass itself is a mix of sun-dried, pock-marked Tarmac at the bottom that meets smooth, fast sweeping hairpins at the summit. It’s tight all the way up, though, and fat 19-inch Bridgestone tyres cannot contain their glee at the dynamic environment they find themselves in. Roll, yaw and body flex are kept safely in check with Sport mode engaged on the drive selector. Mechanical grip is bountiful, even if the steering feels is a little remote. Get to grips with the impassivity around centre and the Mercedes-Benz A200d Sedan’s cornering attitude becomes one of go-exactly-where-you-point-it. Glide into a turn with excessive speed, lift off the throttle, unwind steering lock, and the Merc recovers its composure in one gracious arc. This thing can really handle. And it was a wonderful companion on our not-so West Coast Amble to Piketberg and back.

THE FIGURES

Best for: The most economical car we’ve tested in ages, thanks to a frugal drivetrain and low drag body. Quick enough to get you where you need to go in a hurry.
Not so sure: Nearly R900k for an A-Class may sound like a lot of money. But this is such an accomplished car now, you could argue you don’t need to stretch to a C-Class anymore.
Mercedes-Benz A200d Sedan
Engine: 1 950 cc 4-cyl turbodiesel
Power: 110 kW, 320 Nm
Gearbox: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
0-100 km/h: 8.4 seconds (claimed)
Economy: 4.5 l/100 km (tested), 4.9 l/100 km (claimed/combined)
Tyres: Bridgestone Potenza 225/40 R19
Price: R843 188 (starting from)