Motoring Editor MALCOLM BAYLIS finds there is good seating, improved high drive position and a much better ride and drive experience in the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

WHEN the A-Class was brought to the UK market in 1997 its looks were less than attractive, however its tri-star badge suggested it must have plenty to offer. As it turned out, after a few launch hiccups, it has become quite a favourite here and abroad.

Consequently, replacing such a groundbreaking vehicle was always going to be a challenge but one has to say it has been improved in practically every respect.

It is still the compact city car, still not the most pretty, but it comes with more space, more equipment and also better performance.

The new car goes on sale in a couple of weeks with prices ranging from £13,655 to £19,995. It is not the sort of price most people expect to pay for a city car, but then it is a Merc.

Available in five-door and, for the first time, in a three-door body style, this latest version breaks new ground for Mercedes-Benz. All the power outputs have been increased by up to 38 per cent while torque has improved by as much as 46 per cent. Fuel economy has been improved by up to ten per cent and all the engines meet the latest, tight Euro 4 emissions standards. Also, the prices are comparable with outgoing models. The entry level A140 Classic, for example, was £14,275 on the road. The latest entry-level model, the A150 Classic comes in at £13,655 on the road, saving £620, but with a lot more technology included. There is a £600 difference between five-door and three-door models throughout the 12-model range.

What made the A-Class so different from other city cars was its design: its sandwich floor concept cleverly sits the engine and transmission under the main passenger compartment floor, and now this has been further developed to provide a wider range of both petrol and diesel engines, between 95hp and 193hp petrol units and 82hp and 140hp diesel. Also, for the first time, Autotronic, a continuously variable transmission, has been fitted to some models, as has an all-new six-speed manual gearbox.

A-Class models are split into various trim lines, the Classic, Classic SE, Elegance SE and Avantgarde SE, and each trim features in the A150, A160, A170, A180 and A200 line-up. Incidentally, buyers will be able to upgrade from the entry Classic to the Classic SE trim for another £300, a good move because for the extra you get air conditioning (which also chills the glove box), front fog lights, an upgraded audio system with CD player and disc storage.

The new car is also larger than the existing long-wheelbase version, 62mm longer overall that is, but with a wheelbase reduced by 25mm.

Other standard features include a multi-function, adjustable steering wheel, integrated trip computer, one-touch indicators, a new seating arrangement, a redesigned centre armrest and centre console and, for safety, a narrower windscreen pillar as well as head thorax bags that replace the side airbags.

Getting into the back of any three-door car can be a struggle, and engineers have tried to make it less so with a special "easy entry" system that allows the front seats to be moved forward on runners with the back folded forward.

The seating design also means more space for loading. The flip and fold rear seating, with an height adjustable floor, means the there is now a completely flat load area from the front seats to the boot lid, taking the load area up to 2.75 metres and its capacity to a huge 1,955-litres, as big as the E-Class estate. If that is not enough, as an option for the five-door models, the front passenger seat can be taken out, although it is quite heavy, and probably better left alone! There is no full-size spare wheel, but instead a space-saver.

The Elegance comes with headlamp assist, a sensor on the windscreen recognising that the driver needs to see more ahead, rain sensors capable of adjusting the windscreen wipers to match the force of rain, as well as the standard cornering lights with the bi-exon headlamps, front airbags, responsive head restraints, speed sensitive power steering, electronic stability to cut the risk of skidding, various seat belt adaptations, and something called the "tunnel mode" that works by pressing the recirculated air switch and then closes any open windows as well as the sliding sunroof (where fitted) when entering a tunnel or underground parking area.

What is particularly good about the A-Class is its excellent high-drive position, providing good vision all round, and its comfortable ride, much improved with the fitting of a new rear axle that not only adds to the driving quality, but also helps passenger travel by reducing vibration and road noise levels.

Dealer: Mercedes Benz York, Centurion Park, Clifton Moor, York (01904 694000).

Bumper to bumper

Prices: Prices range from £13,655 for A150 Classic three-door petrol to £19,995 for Avantgarde A200 CDI five-door diesel.

Dimensions: Wheelbase 2568mm, length 3838mm, width 1764mm, height 1593mm.

Performance 0-62mph: A150 95hp petrol/manual 12.6-seconds (autotronic 13.3-secs) to A200 136hp petrol/manual 9.8-secs, (auto 9.9-secs); A160 82hp diesel/manual 15-secs (auto 15.3-secs) to A200 140hp diesel/manual 9.5-secs (auto 9.6-secs).

Economy, combined figure (same engines as above): A150 petrol 45.6mpg manual (42.8mpg auto) A200 39.2mpg (same); A160 diesel 57.6mpg manual (52.3mpg auto) A200 52.3mpg (49.6mpg).

Updated: 12:55 Friday, January 28, 2005