Inside, there’s the compulsory large touchscreen, in panorama format and perched atop the dashboard. The Android-based system is way from one of the best. You can get to the principle features (which embody Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) simply from the house display screen, however there’s no ‘back’ button, the graphics are a bit of grainy and all of it feels a bit aftermarket. That stated, there are software program updates due and which will but change the system’s structure, so we must wait earlier than passing ultimate judgement.
Otherwise, my take a look at automobile was within the greater of the 2 specs. Even the fundamental Comfort will get heated and electrically adjusted seats, part-leatherette and – get this – a cooled wi-fi smartphone charging pad, to maintain your cellphone from overheating. The higher Noble trim provides a sunroof, a 360deg parking digital camera and comically pointless pink brake calipers.
Space within the again seats is fairly respectable, actually higher than within the Juke, however foot area beneath the entrance seats is poor and any passengers greater than 6ft tall might discover the ceiling a bit of shut for consolation.
More disappointing is the boot, which is available in at a paltry 307 litres. That’s 150-odd litres lower than within the smaller Puma, which appears an enormous disparity. But I reckon Omoda hasn’t factored in underfloor storage, as a result of the boot doesn’t look that dangerous to me. It’s a bit shallow and positively not as large because the Qashqai’s, however you’re going to get your large store in there, no worries. And you get a space-saver spare wheel too, which is sweet.
The Geneva motor show is set to return in a revamped format next year, putting the focus on cars, according to the organizers.
After being cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic and facing uncertainties in the global economy, the Swiss event hasn’t been held for the past four years.
Recently, the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) held its first event since 2019, organizing a new show in Qatar with the same Geneva branding.
Doug DeMuro is an interesting presenter in the automotive YouTube scene. His unique format and style of reviewing cars have made him the go-to guy for complete information on quirks and features available in any vehicle. But beyond this, Doug has a unique taste in cars especially ones of the obscure and ugly variety. The more quirky the car is the more Doug wants to review and most likely wants to own it.
He made headlines recently with the investment in his online auction website Cars and Bids with a $37 million investment. Soon after, he bought his all-time dream car which is a Porsche Carrera GT. Even before the investment Doug was making enough and could buy this car but just couldn’t justify pulling the trigger until now. Six months after owning the Carrera GT he has just bought another car, you would think with all this money he would get a cool car. Well, he did, but it is a car that would only appeal to the quirky side of Doug DeMuro.
When you hear that Doug bought an old Mercedes-Benz, you would think he’d buy a significant vehicle similar to the Carrera GT. A Mercedes McLaren SLR perhaps or one of the black series models but no. Instead, he bought a European-spec first-gen 1997 Mercedes-Benz A140 that almost nobody in America knows about or cares about. It was sold mainly in Europe and was seen as a departure from what Mercedes was known for. It was a cheap alternative to other expensive and luxurious Mercedes models and people bought them and used them as cheap cars.
But Doug has always liked quirky, obscure, and ugly cars like the Nissan S cargo, Renault Avantime, Isuzu Vehicross, and many more. So the A-class is a cheap, quirky, and unloved vehicle that was never sold in the US and ticks all the right boxes for Doug DeMuro. So in his quest to find a car that satisfies his quirky desires, he found this one and instantly pulled the trigger.
The Mercedes A-Class Was Not Doug DeMuro’s First Choice
Audi
Front three quarter profile of the Audi A2
As stupid as this car may seem to most people today, this was not Doug’s first choice. There were two other cars he wanted more than this car which makes the A140 seem like a sensible choice. The first choice was the Audi A2 which was Audi’s version of a small city hatchback similar to the Mercedes A-class. But while the Mercedes A-class sold well, the Audi A2 didn’t do so well. It was only on sale for 5 years from 2000-2005 meanwhile, the A-class is still in production today.
Doug’s second choice was an even worse and uglier car, it was the Fiat Multipla. It is the ugliest car among Doug’s choices but was more desirable than the A-class. The reason these cars weren’t picked was because they were not legal to import just yet. The A-class was the only one that just became legal for importation and made sense for Doug at the moment. I believe as soon as the others become legal to import, Doug will go hunting for them once more.
What Is Special About The Original Mercedes A-Class?
Doug Demuro
Selfie shot of Doug Demuro and his 1997 Mercedes A140
Simply put, there was nothing special about the Mercedes A-Class. It was a small, cheap, and slow city car with no special features. It was treated just like any other normal vehicle with no significance or importance to the automotive industry. Unlike JDM cars which are desirable and will soon be legal for importation, the A-class was never desirable. Mercedes has even announced that the current A-class which was available since 2019 will be leaving the U.S. market after 2022 but will be available in other markets.
But the special thing about Doug’s car is that it is probably the nicest example of an A-class which is a hard thing to find since no one cared for these cars. Also, these cars were not sold here and this might be the only one in the United States. The main novelty of owning this car for Doug is that it is so rare in the U.S. that you may never see another one. For context, you have better chances of seeing a Bugatti before you spot another one of these.
Doug’s Mercedes A140 Specifications
Vehicle
Mercedes A140
Engine
Inline-four
Displacement
1.4 liter
Power
80 horsepower
Torque
96 pound-feet
Transmission
Five-speed manual
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive
Current Price
$2,200
It is a one-owner car with 60,000 miles, being the A140, Doug’s car is the base model, there is an A160, A190, and later A210 and AMG models. But finding the base car in nice condition was hard enough and higher trims may be impossible. This car was very nice and checked all the boxes for Doug Demuro. It even has air conditioning which is almost impossible to find in these cars since most owners did not tick that option.
A Financial Loss For Doug Demuro And Mercedes-Benz
Despite being a sales success Mercedes reportedly lost $1,500 on each A-class sold.
When this car went on sale in 1997, it received a lot of criticism for being ugly and having the wrong proportions. But despite people’s complaints, it sold very well with this first gen A-class selling over a million units in its seven-year production run. For most automakers, this would mean a sales success which it was, but it was also a revenue loss for the company. Mercedes lost money selling the A-Class, this was due to the controversy surrounding its safety.
A German automotive journalist Robert Collin performed the Elk/moose test to determine the probability of a rollover.The A-class failed the test and Mercedes originally brushed it off, but news spread quickly. Mercedes had to recall all 2600 units which had been sold and suspended sales for three months. The recalled, and subsequent cars were fitted with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and revised suspension.
Doug DeMuro
Side profile of Doug Demuro’s 1997 Mercedes A140
As for Doug DeMuro, this car was a financial loss for him as well. Most of his older cars like the Audi RS2, Mercedes G500 cabriolet, and Ford GT are enthusiast cars that have appreciated over the years. They were emotional purchases, but there was a reason behind spending huge amounts of money on these cars. He knew he wouldn’t lose money owning and driving them and so far it has worked in his favor.
While his A140 is an equally emotional purchase, but it has none of the enthusiast excitement or value proposition. Doug bought this car which was a nice example for $2,200 and said it cost more to prepare, import and register the vehicle. This is money spent that will not be recovered anytime soon unless they suddenly become collectibles.
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