Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launches locally-assembled 2021 A-Class Sedan, priced from RM210,903

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has finally launched the highly-anticipated 2021 A-Class Sedan CKD. The locally-assembled compact sedan is offered here in two variants, namely the A200 Progressive Line and A250 AMG Line, priced at RM210,903 and RM239,858 respectively. These prices include the ongoing sales tax (SST) exemption that's scheduled to run out at the end of the year, after which they'll revert to RM219,888 and RM249,888 with SST, on-the-road without insurance. 

This represents a RM10,000 price reduction for the A200 Progressive Line, with the A250 AMG Line costing RM18,000 less than before - the latter went for just under RM260k with SST exemption when we tested it earlier this year. The A200 Progressive Line also becomes the most affordable passenger car in Mercedes-Benz Malaysia's current catalogue as a result. 

Both models are already very familiar to the Malaysian market, having been sold here as CBUs before with the exact same trim lines. The A200 is powered by a 1.3-litre turbocharged mill good for 163bhp and 250Nm of torque while the A250 packs a beefier 2.0-litre engine which develops a heady 224bhp and 350Nm. Both engines are paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Naturally, the A250 AMG Line is the quicker of the two in a straight line with a 6.3-second century sprint and 250kph top speed while the A200 Progressive Line isn't too far behind with a 0-100kph time of 8.1 seconds and 230kph vmax. 

Aside from the engines and obvious trim differences, both cars are generously equipped with LED lighting, 18-inch wheels, reverse cameras and the latest MBUX infotainment system projected on a 10.25-inch screen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The overall packages are largely identical to what we used to get with the CBU models, making the V177 A-Class Sedan a much more tempting proposition than before, rivalled only by BMW's similarly localised 218i Gran Coupe. 

Now that the options in the lower reaches of the RM200k premium segment are clear, are you on Team Bavaria or Stuttgart? Wolfsburg, maybe?