Our Malaysian-based man about town, Ong Chin Huat, gets behind the wheel of the new Mercedes-Benz A 250 4MATIC to discover what it can do around the famed streets of Kuala Lumpur.
Solid yet sporty, the Mercedes-Benz A 250 4MATIC, which was released in Malaysia back in June 2023, has not only been turning car lovers heads with its sleek design, balanced proportions, and futuristic interior layout but also impressing motorheads with its fast pickup speed, efficient suspension, and stable road-holding, especially on hairpin turns.
The Mercedes-Benz A 250 4MATIC is a sedan, which might dissuade those who prefer a taller car, such as an SUV. However, under the hood of this smart-looking vehicle is a sporting prowess that could be enough to sway even the staunchest SUV fan. In addition, the face-lifted A 250 4MATIC comes with a host of additional features, including its MBUX Infotainment system, which offers smarter digitalised connectivity to your smartphone.
A good example of this was my iPhone being connected via wireless Apple Carplay, so all my favourite tunes in Spotify could be accessed and played effortlessly. Furthermore, an additional USB-C port has been added, and all of the USB ports in the vehicle offer fast-charging capabilities.
One of the main highlights inside the car was the dual-screen display, which measured 10.25 inches and, thanks to the wide viewing angle, gave the driver and passenger easy access to information. This central command centre on the dashboard provides access to functions including navigation, media, phone, and vehicle, all of which are easily controllable via the touchscreen.
I particularly liked the cabin’s layout. Ensconced in man-made leather and microfibre upholstery, both driver and passenger will feel nothing but comfortable in the seats, which are made to look even more inviting thanks to light longitudinal-grain aluminium trim and contrasting red topstitching.
Another stand-out feature of this car is its safety. It boasts LED headlamps and a parking package with a reverse camera. Other features include Active Parking Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Exit Warning Assist, and Active Brake Assist, all adding up to make owning and driving an A 250 a prudent choice. There is also a Sports Braking System, which delivers a powerful deceleration, even after frequent heavy braking.
There is also the option of a Keyless-Go comfort package, which provides hands-free access, while the Guard 360 vehicle protection offers all-around monitoring of the vehicle’s surroundings.
However, electronic wizardry aside, the core of the A 250 4MATIC lies in its heart – the engine, which has been electrified with a speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, coupled to an additional 48-volt electrical system that makes it feel very agile when moving off with 10kW more power.
The exterior of the A 250 is powerful, sleek, and dynamic. With its forward-sloping bonnet, two power bulges, steep shark nose, and redesigned radiator grille with geometry on the star pattern, this sedan would look good on any city street or country road.
Adding to its looks are the 17-inch, five twin-spoke light-alloy aerodynamically optimised wheels in tremolite grey with a high-sheen finish, making this car a sight to behold. The diffuser and LED rear lights also attract significant attention in the best possible way.
Available in metallic and non-metallic paint finishes, the A 250 comes equipped with an adaptive high beam assist that enables drivers to see the road surface and any hazards more clearly.
As part of its Ambition 2039 vision, Mercedes-Benz has set itself the goal of launching a net carbon-neutral fleet of new passenger cars and vans from 2039 across the value chain and life cycle. It aims to halve CO2 emissions per passenger car in the new vehicle fleet over the entire life cycle compared to 2020 by the end of this decade. Part of this involves the use of recycled materials, which can be seen in the seat fabrics in the centre section.
For further information on the Mercedes-Benz A 250 4MATIC, please visit www.mercedes-benz.com.my.
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