Mercedes-Benz. Hot hatch. These terms could not have been more disparate.
The Stuttgart carmaker has held sovereign in many segments. The C-Class sedan is one of the leading sellers in Singapore and equally popular is the E-Class, which has long been a favourite of local motorists.
But never has the marque been affiliated with cunning and deceivingly fast little shoe boxes.
The latest A-Class still lies at the bottom of the hierarchy. But the new car feels more upbeat, shying away from the 'budget' image of the earlier generations.
The term 'Sport' may have been heavily utilised by various carmakers, and more often than not a work of their marketing departments. Mercedes, however, has taken the word seriously in the making of the A250 Sport.
Less the A45 variant from the hot works of AMG, this A250 Sport is, perhaps, the next best thing in line.
Hot hatch lovers - count your blessings, as things are about to change.
The Stuttgart carmaker has held sovereign in many segments. The C-Class sedan is one of the leading sellers in Singapore and equally popular is the E-Class, which has long been a favourite of local motorists.
But never has the marque been affiliated with cunning and deceivingly fast little shoe boxes.
The latest A-Class still lies at the bottom of the hierarchy. But the new car feels more upbeat, shying away from the 'budget' image of the earlier generations.
The term 'Sport' may have been heavily utilised by various carmakers, and more often than not a work of their marketing departments. Mercedes, however, has taken the word seriously in the making of the A250 Sport.
Less the A45 variant from the hot works of AMG, this A250 Sport is, perhaps, the next best thing in line.
Hot hatch lovers - count your blessings, as things are about to change.
Exterior
The new 'baby' from Mercedes certainly looks set to shake up the hatchback segment. It adorns a suit of handsome sheet metal, and while refreshing to look at, still remain instantly recognisable as a Mercedes.
In Sport guise, the most deliberate and obvious changes are the artful strokes on the front and rear bumpers, which give it a muscular profile.
And of course, playing with contrasting colours on the trims help to bring about liveliness. Together, it exudes a vibrancy that its elder siblings will find it hard to match up to.
Interior
On the inside, the A250 Sport adopts a minimalist design without losing functionality. Every bit feels like it's there for a sole purpose and made to fit the function - which keeps things nice and clean for the hatchback.
The cutesy LCD screen may have become a regular feature on recent models, but it doesn't lose its novelty in the A-Class. Instead, it feels right at home in the cosy cabin, adding onto the chic, funky feel.
Also, there is no lack of sporting flourishes throughout the cabin, with red stitching outlining the steering wheel and sports seats and aluminium pedals to complete the overall package.
On the inside, the A250 Sport adopts a minimalist design without losing functionality. Every bit feels like it's there for a sole purpose and made to fit the function - which keeps things nice and clean for the hatchback.
The cutesy LCD screen may have become a regular feature on recent models, but it doesn't lose its novelty in the A-Class. Instead, it feels right at home in the cosy cabin, adding onto the chic, funky feel.
Also, there is no lack of sporting flourishes throughout the cabin, with red stitching outlining the steering wheel and sports seats and aluminium pedals to complete the overall package.
Even the air-con vents are encircled in red trims. Our favourite feature has got to be the red seat belts - raucously striking, it gives one the 'sports car' feel just by putting them on.
It doesn't come as a surprise that the hatch takes a bit of squeeze to fit three at the back, but friends hopping on will less likely to complain over short journeys. The huge front seats, though, are a tad view-obstructing, aggrevating the sense of a lack of space at the rear.
Boot space, however, is a decent 341 litres, which is further expandable to 1,157 litres - respectable for a mid-size hatch.
It doesn't come as a surprise that the hatch takes a bit of squeeze to fit three at the back, but friends hopping on will less likely to complain over short journeys. The huge front seats, though, are a tad view-obstructing, aggrevating the sense of a lack of space at the rear.
Boot space, however, is a decent 341 litres, which is further expandable to 1,157 litres - respectable for a mid-size hatch.
The Drive
Power is not of short supply in the A250 Sport. To reaffirm its range-leading status, Mercedes has equipped it with a delectable 211 horses and 350Nm of torque - 50bhp and 100Nm more than its smaller but no less capable A200 brethren.
Peak torque will set in from as low as 1,200 revs, with all of the horses arriving at 5,000rpm - reaffirming it as a hot hatch in the making.
Put to the test, the Merc is certainly quick. Capable of despatching a 6.6 seconds century sprint, the A250 Sport gets off the line in a relative breeze. However, it makes its way to three-figure speeds in a subtle, hush hush manner which undermines the real pace.
This is partly due to the quiet cabin, lacking the intrusion of the much anticipated induction roar and exhaust note expected of a hatch of such calibre.
The seven-speed DCT (Mercedes' iteration of dual-clutch gearbox) is smooth on the go, but is best left to its own devices as manual overrides can be slow to react.
Power is not of short supply in the A250 Sport. To reaffirm its range-leading status, Mercedes has equipped it with a delectable 211 horses and 350Nm of torque - 50bhp and 100Nm more than its smaller but no less capable A200 brethren.
Peak torque will set in from as low as 1,200 revs, with all of the horses arriving at 5,000rpm - reaffirming it as a hot hatch in the making.
Put to the test, the Merc is certainly quick. Capable of despatching a 6.6 seconds century sprint, the A250 Sport gets off the line in a relative breeze. However, it makes its way to three-figure speeds in a subtle, hush hush manner which undermines the real pace.
This is partly due to the quiet cabin, lacking the intrusion of the much anticipated induction roar and exhaust note expected of a hatch of such calibre.
The seven-speed DCT (Mercedes' iteration of dual-clutch gearbox) is smooth on the go, but is best left to its own devices as manual overrides can be slow to react.
The clear and precise steering is one of the most engaging from the marque. Hardened springs add further to the driving involvement, providing the extra tinge of confidence in corners.
It is over rough tarmac, and humps especially, that the car's sporting intent may raise a few brows, especially those of the rear occupants. The spruced-up suspension may prove to be a tad unsettling in imperfect conditions.
Conclusion
The A250 Sport is a clear statement - one that proves that Mercedes is capable of building enjoyable, exciting cars - without the need for stonkingly big engines.
Whilst at it, the A-Class refreshes our image of the three-pointed star marque. To us, it is a smart looking city dweller, which has what it takes to appeal to the younger crowds.
The less compromising setup may be a cause for worry for some - but we reckon it is part of the essentials of the A250 Sport for being a jolly as it is.
It is over rough tarmac, and humps especially, that the car's sporting intent may raise a few brows, especially those of the rear occupants. The spruced-up suspension may prove to be a tad unsettling in imperfect conditions.
Conclusion
The A250 Sport is a clear statement - one that proves that Mercedes is capable of building enjoyable, exciting cars - without the need for stonkingly big engines.
Whilst at it, the A-Class refreshes our image of the three-pointed star marque. To us, it is a smart looking city dweller, which has what it takes to appeal to the younger crowds.
The less compromising setup may be a cause for worry for some - but we reckon it is part of the essentials of the A250 Sport for being a jolly as it is.
