Two new diesel engines have been added to the A-Class range: the A 200 d Sport (£28,805 OTR) and the A 220 d AMG Line (£30,005 OTR).

The OM654_q engines have been tested to new RDE-2 standards, making Mercedes-Benz among the first to offer RDE-2-compliant diesel engines in the UK. These engines will also feature in the new B-Class.

Company car drivers will benefit from tax savings due to the removal of the four per cent BIK diesel surcharge for the life of the vehicle. Private customers will also benefit from a lower road fund licence, allowing a one band saving.

Mercedes says this means purchasing the new A 220 d AMG Line can provide business users, who pay 40 per cent income tax, a cost saving of £460.68 over three years in comparison to the old model.

The A 200 d features a 2.0-litre diesel engine with an output of 148 bhp and 236 ft lb of torque. It delivers up to 67.3 mpg on the combined cycle and emits 110 g/km of CO₂. It can travel from 0 to 62 mph in 8.1 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 137 mph.

The A 220 d is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine which produces 187 bhp and 295 ft lb of torque.  It can achieve 65.7 mpg on the combined cycle and emits 114 g/km of CO₂. It can travel from 0 to 62 mph in 7.0 seconds and has a top speed of 146 mph.

Both engines come standard with an 8G-DCT 8-Speed automatic transmission.

The A 200 d is available in two trims: Sport and AMG Line, while the A 220 d is only available in the AMG Line trim.