What is it?

Mercedes started the premium hatchback segment with the original A-Class, but a jump in class from Volkswagen saw the Golf and A3 soon surpass it, quickly followed by the BMW 1 Series. This new verion looks set to take the fight to the young pretenders.

Why's it here?

There were a lot of strong phrases such as 'attack', 'progressive' and 'heartbeat of a new generation' used in the A-Class press conference and it is obvious that Mercedes-Benz feels it is on to something with the new car. It is not just the looks however; the A-Class is technologically advanced with more safety acronyms than you can shake a stick at, full iPhone integration ("Siri bring me home") and an all new platform that performance specialists, AMG, were involved in from the outset.

Show stopper or floor filler?

You have looked at the pictures right? The smallest Mercedes-Benz is now probably the best looking of the lot or at least the best looking away from the SL/SLS. With engines ranging from efficient (109hp diesel offering 99g/km) to the hot (211hp A 250) Mercedes seems to have all the bases loaded. Definite show stopper.

Paul Healy - 5 Mar 2012