From £20,715
Massive boost in the mid-range, but the Volkswagen Golf GTi is a better hot hatchback.

What’s new?The engine, mostly. This, it could be argued, is Mercedes’ answer to the VW Golf GTi and this is our first taste of it on British roads.Under the bonnet is a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with 190bhp, which gives it 46bhp more than a regular A 200 — so it’s similarly powerful, similarly priced and, on paper at least, similarly fast to the hot Golf. Spring and damper rates are revised and the anti-roll bars are a bit thicker than the A 200’s, too.What’s it like?Because peak torque comes in at just 1800rpm, and continues all the way to 4850rpm, this is a very flexible engine. The power delivery is then linear to the 6000rpm red line and free from turbo lag. Unfortunately, the engine doesn’t sound very special, lacking the aural excitement of hotter hatchbacks’.The uprated suspension gives more grip and less body roll than in an A 200, but not significantly more enjoyment. The rest of the driving experience also contributes to the mature feel, although there is some torquesteer if you’re liberal with the throttle in lower gears.At least the interior is well constructed and offers comfortable seating for five.Should I buy one?Probably not: this is the best-driving petrol-engined A-class, but the most expensive turbodiesel is still cheaper. And if you want a proper hot hatch, you’re still better off with a Golf GTi or a Ford Focus ST. 

Matt Prior

Matt Prior
Title: Editor-at-large

Matt is Autocar’s lead features writer and presenter, is the main face of Autocar’s YouTube channel, presents the My Week In Cars podcast and has written his weekly column, Tester’s Notes, since 2013.

Matt is an automotive engineer who has been writing and talking about cars since 1997. He joined Autocar in 2005 as deputy road test editor, prior to which he was road test editor and world rally editor for Channel 4’s automotive website, 4Car. 

Into all things engineering and automotive from any era, Matt is as comfortable regularly contributing to sibling titles Move Electric and Classic & Sports Car as he is writing for Autocar. He has a racing licence, and some malfunctioning classic cars and motorbikes. 

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