ROAD TEST
Mercedes-Benz A-Class enters the space age
Mercedes’s compact hatch is roomier and has a comfier ride, but it’s the Star Trek tech that really inspires
The new fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class ticks all the boxes by growing in size and offering better practicality, but it’s the Star Trek factor that is likely to hook customers. The technology inside the premium, compact hatchback brings science fiction to life with its high-tech toys and artificial intelligence, which at times makes you feel you’re not merely driving a car, but piloting an intergalactic vessel. At the heart of this tech is the new MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) multimedia system, which the company calls “a revolution of the user experience in the car”. A digital instrument panel replaces a traditional analogue cowl and the infotainment is housed in a touchscreen interface that comes with a 17.8cm screen as standard or a widescreen 26.7cm display as an extra-cost option.
It’s those giant digital displays that give this car its spaceship-type vibe, along with turbine-style metallic air vents that complete a smart and high-tech look. In terms of fit...
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