118d Vs A 180 CDI – Face Value (Part 3)

Drive modes and dynamics

This is where it gets really interesting. The BMW we expect to be a sprightly performer, while we hope that the little Mercedes will fill the shoes its badge brings. I started with the 118d, because it was the first to arrive.

Under that long bonnet, the dynamic 1 has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder motor with a TwinPower Turbo turned down low, but yet kicking out 320 Nm. If that’s not enough, the 143 PS, which comes in at the top, makes for a heady experience in a car weighing as less as the 118d does. The eight-speed automatic transmission is well-spaced and delivers on all the counts that matter: acceleration, drivability and fuel economy. There’s also a manual mode that enhances driver involvement with the push/pull action of the gear lever.

To be honest, I did not want to like the 1 Series. I didn’t. But, get behind the wheel, slot it into ‘Sport’ mode and step on the gas, er.., oil, and there I was, moving along with a frivolity I’d missed for some time. The packaging – front engine, rear drive – makes for a feel you get comfortable with quickly and, what’s more, the smile on your face gets even wider as the corners approach. The child of Munich sure has a handle on things and even gives you permission to step over the line drawn in the sand. Tap the little switch to ‘Sport Plus’ mode and the traction control is turned off, or so says the information display. Tires will squeal and the back end will slide, if you want them to. It was always capable, yes, but this mode makes it all the more eager! Straight-line stability is fantastic, but the excitement escaping from your fingertips can translate into twitches if you’re not careful. I wouldn’t say the 118d is clinically precise, but it sure is sharp.

Switch to ‘Sport’ or ‘Comfort’ mode and it tones down the excitement a notch, just. You get the electronics stepping in to set your foot right if you’re about to trip yourself. The ride is surprisingly good, the suspension feels very well sorted and there is no intrusion of any noise from the road or the tires. Even carrying speed through the corners is a joy because of the setup; the seats are also very supportive and hold you snugly in place. The 118d doesn’t feel as stiff as you would expect at first, yet isn’t soft enough to bounce or roll when the road surface upsets many others. No faults as such then. Tap yourself into ‘ECO PRO’ mode and the car changes yet again. The gears shift up sooner and the Start/Stop kicks in each time you come to a halt, contributing to fuel-saving along with the other efficient, dynamic goodies the car comes bundled with. That’s probably the best way to keep calm and carry on down the highway.

Step into the A- or the A180 CDI, to be more specific – and there is the unmistakable Mercedes-Benz environment. Noise insulation is excellent and the car does feel quite special. Shift to ‘D’ and get off the brake and you will notice a lack of movement. Yes, I did remember to turn the e-brake off. At a shade over 1,500 kg, the A180 CDI isn’t light; it’s heavier than some good saloon cars. Then you consider that the engine, which I am told is a 2.2-litre four, tuned down, quite uncannily, to produce identical power and torque figures at exactly the same rev ranges as its 1.8-litre European counterpart: 109 PS and 250 Nm. On the up side, you get the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the front wheels. This makes the A180 CDI, and I’m not kidding, the lowest-priced automatic diesel hatchback on sale in the country. Think about it.

However, there’s a lot more to this car that makes a difference. The A180 CDI does bring all the comfort, handling and luxury in a more compact package. It isolates you from the hustle and bustle of the world around you and gives you your space. Where it does fall back is outright performance. The acceleration is adequate at best and it isn’t going to set any speed records, but that’s just the point: if you want to travel ‘star’ class, there’s no better way to get started. The A-Class may be down on power, but it makes up with excellent ride and handling characteristics. The paddles behind the steering wheel also make for a very engaging drive each time; getting a gear literally at your fingertips is quite an experience. The car feels planted and very stable no matter which direction you point it at and how frequently that changes. The suspension, like every Merc, is tuned for comfort, although the A does feel quite stiff as compared to the 1; but that goes to show that they haven’t eliminated any part of the fun factor. The seating is quite firm but comfortable, and the support provided is good, even when pushing the limits of its performance. On the flip side, it does tackle the bumps and potholes well and there’s no unearthly rumble even when you do get on the rough stuff, which many will invariably end up on. Both cars are fun to drive and bring a smile to your face each time you set out. They exude elegance and bring on the sporty when required. They’re clean and fuel-efficient – the upside of the slower acceleration. The 118d managed 14 km/l on the highway, while the A180 CDI delivered a very respectable 16 kilometres to a liter of diesel. The tanks on these cars mean that you can safely travel across multiple cities without a fuel stop.

Living with it

Not everyone buys a German car to attempt Autobahn-ish speeds. A chunk of customers in the market just want something well-built, refined and luxurious, while also being a public display of expenditure and status. And for those purposes, you can’t go wrong either way. But for those who want the badge and experience over other petty things like hard acceleration and cornering speeds, the A180 CDI is a fantastic way to spoil yourself. For those who wish to indulge in more frowned-upon activities, the 1 Series will plaster a smile on your face and give your guts an exercise.

While they are the first in what is a very prestigious line-up of either brand, their ‘low’ price-tags are by no means cheap, and neither are the cars. ‘Cheap’ is a word derogatory to the segment and there will be none of that here. BMW have the advantage here, because they offer the 1 Series in a number of trims starting from $46,733 (OTR, Pune), with the ‘Sport Line’ costing $52,681. The 118d ‘Sport Plus’ we tested here costs $60,627. The Mercedes-Benz A180 CDI Style is the sole diesel variant on offer and costs $47,058 (OTR, Pune). That’s not a bad price-tag for the amount of kit on offer and the invariable ‘step up’, although the same amount could get you a very substantial luxury sedan or crossover too. But at the end of it all, if you say ‘automatic’, ‘diesel’ and ‘hatchback’ in the same sentence, it simply has to be one of these two.