MERC A-CLASS GETS NEXT-GEN DIESEL ENGINES

Mercedes has revealed two new ‘next-generation’ diesel engines for its A-class executive hatchback. Thea200danda220d engines are among the first on sale in the UK which meet the new, tougher RDE2 standards.

RDE-2 (Real Driving Emissions 2) compares a car’s real-world NOX emissions with the lab-tested WLTP figure and is designed to eventually force manufacturers to reach parity in lab and real-world testing.

Thanks to their lower emissions, the new 2.0-litre engines will bring tax savings for company car drivers due to the removal of the four per cent BIK diesel surcharge for the life of the vehicle.

For 40 per cent tax payers that equates to around £150 a year.

Private customers will also benefit from a lower first-year road tax charge, with the new engines slotting one band beneath the old engines.

The A 200 d features has an output of 148hp and 236lb/ ft. Nm of torque. It delivers up to 67.3mpg on the WLTP combined cycle and emits 110g/km of CO2.

It can travel from 0 to 62 mph in 8.1 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 137mph.

The A 220 d produces 187bhp and 295lb/ft of torque, meaning it will hit 62mph in seven seconds on its way to a top speed of 146mph.

Official economy and emissions figures are 65.7mpg on the combined cycle and 114g/ km of CO2.

Both engines come standard with an 8G-DCT 8-Speed automatic transmission.