The Mercedes-Benz A-Class has come a long way since the 'moose test' days of the mid-1990s, but that doesn't mean that the recently released third-generation baby Merc can't be improved - at least not according to the tuning boffins at Vath in the Bavarian town of Hoesbach.
They've got a whole catalogue of go-fast goodies for the standard two-litre petrol A250, starting with a 'mapped and chipped' ECU that kicks power up from 155kW to 180kW and torque from 350Nm to 390Nm, enough to take the V25 Reloaded (that's what they call it) from 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds and on to a (governed) 250km/h to speed.
And if you had told us a decade ago that family cars with two-litre engines would one day be electronically limited to 250km/h, we would have wanted to know what you were smoking…
ADD IT UP
Rebooting the ECU and fine-tuning the mapping of your car's engine, cylinder by cylinder, costs €940.10 (R11 270) but Vath recommends you fit their €2011.10 (R24 100) stainless-steel 270 Evo exhaust downpipe with 200 cell tri-metal catalyst, and stainless-steel tailpipe with on-demand loudness valve for €3439.10 (R41 250) at the same time, to reduce back pressure and turbo lag.
Then you can lower your A-Class chariot 30mm with Vath's spring kit for €333.20 (R3995), and upgrade the brakes with braided stainless-steel hoses and Castrol SRF racing brake fluid for €464.10 (R5565) - which includes a TUV roadworthy circuit, compulsory in Germany after any modifications have been made to the brakes of any car.
STREET CRED
Better grip and roadholding come with 19” alloys wearing 235/35 front and 255/30 rear radials at €2545.65 (R30 555) for the set, and street cred with a clear-lacquered carbon-fibre front splitter at €1416.10 (R17 000).
And better grip for the driver is available a sports steering wheel trimmed with two types of leather - or in carbon fibre or wood veneer on request.