The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is now available with two RDE2-compliant diesels, bringing reduced company car tax bills for drivers.

Mercedes-Benz A 220 d AMG Line

Available in two outputs and priced from £28,805, the engines have been tested to new RDE-2 standards, which mean they escape the contentious 4% diesel surcharge that was announced in last autumn’s Budget – even though no RDE2-compliant diesels were available at the time – and levied since April.

This means fleet drivers in the 40% bracket could see a cost saving of £460.68 over three years in comparison to the old model.

Also due in the new B-Class, the new A-Class diesels also escape the higher road fund licence costs announced at the same time, bringing a one-band saving.

The 148bhp engine in the A 200 d delivers up to 67.3mpg on the combined cycle and emits 110g/km of CO2 with a 0 to 62mph time of 8.1 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 137mph.

The A 220 d gets a 187bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine with an official figure of 65.7mpg on the combined cycle and 114g/km of CO2. It can travel from 0 to 62mph in 7.0 seconds and has a top speed of 146mph.

Both engines come as standard with an eight-speed automatic. The A 200 d is available in Sport and AMG Line, while the A 220 d comes solely in the AMG Line trim and is priced from £30,005 OTR.

First deliveries start in the spring.