“Hey Mercedes, let’s glow up!”
Dossier was blown away and whip lashed by the Mercedes A35. But we thought we would get a young person’s view on the car- a fresh perspective.
By Max Ziervogel
Mercedes-Benz has always been ‘The Old Man’s Car’ with the main offering being stately luxury, comfort and class. The Benz badge has, for decades, been a status symbol- and old school.
The A-Class was birthed in 1997 and was a big development for the brand, and a first in many ways. The entry level Benz was an innovative move for the brand, achieving 1.1 million sales on the first generation, despite the elk scandal. The Baby Benz was a first and a great opportunity for the brand and changed the motoring industry. However, it was still very aligned to the same audience and for being a car for the more established individual. In other words, the original A class was a smaller car for the same audience.
Things have changed, and the brand is back with a vengeance and ready to steal the show! Their vehicle designs have them coming on strong for the competition for the younger audience, from Daddy’s Princesses to the nouveau riche Investec Boys, the desire for the Mercedes brand has opened up to a whole new generation, previously dominated by the likes of Audi A3, BMW 1-series and the GTi.
The 2-Litre Engine is something special, and the world’s most powerful 4-cylinder engine with TwinScroll turbocharging. 0 – 100 km/h in 4,7 seconds and a whopping 225 KW from a Baby Benz is something special! The design of this super-hot, hot-hatch is bold and noticeable while still aligned to the Mercedes Brand and still gives you the everyday car functionality with the extra power, and noise, often found screeching down Sandton Drive to make noise and leave people annoyed, but noticing.
The interior is something spectacular, rather colorful at night with mood lighting of your choice and gives a Driving Experience like never before. From “Hey Mercedes” (Voice recognition system) to large, high quality screens and equipment that is more intelligent than most of us, the cabin of the Benz is a rather fun and exciting place now, in some respects, miles ahead of the competition.
I am not the biggest fan of the AMG’s, M’s and S’s, I tend to find them a bit tacky and OTT but the A35 AMG somehow brings the fun to the class and I find the new Baby Benz something truly remarkable for the brand. Mercedes has, once again, outdone themselves with what they have managed to produce and the proof is in the number of new A’s around, even with the price tag it holds.
Dossier Editor’s note: It might be seen as a younger person’s whip, but it is downright sexy and we will all look hot in this model.
Photos: Mia Ziervogel on Canon
Location: The Silo Hotel
