2016 MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS A 200 AMG AUTO IN SOUTH AFRICA

n the A200’s natural, urban environment, the power delivery is smooth and the gear changes largely seamless. There’s even an ever-so-slightly intoxicating soundtrack that accompanies heavy acceleration, which includes a faint bark as you change gears. Leave the city, though, and you’ll find the A200 will easily dispose of more challenging roads. Its 115kW and 250Nm aren’t going to produce ‘Ring lap times, but at no stage does it feel underpowered. In fact, the engine and gearbox are paired so seamlessly there always seems to be a ready supply of power on demand. There’s more fun to be had by switching driving modes from Comfort to Sport, which makes the steering heavier, the acceleration more urgent and the seven-speed ‘box more willing to hold gears.