New Showroom - Jati Transport Mercedes-Benz Autohaus

#credit to the photos owner

The sole distrbutor of Mercedes Benz in Brunei, JATI Transport just opened their third showroom  last weekend.  The new building is called Mercedes Benz Autohaus and is located at the Beribi Commerical area directly next to the old showroom.  To coincide with the launch of the new building they brought in showcase almost all the AMG "43" ranges!

My friend AMG A45 at the grand entrance of Mercedes Benz Autohaus

Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA45 Edition 1

You're looking at the latest GLA45 AMG Edition 1 from Mercedes Benz.  This one is a limited edition for the first year production model just like the CLA I posted a few months ago.  This particular model will set you back BND$122K.  It comes with special AMG design decals.  Several optional equipment are standard on this model.  Normal AMG version will be going around BND$90K with standard spec.  Enjoy the pictures!

 

This is the standard GLA 200 parked inside the showroom. For BND$60K++ and you can drive this car away!  Yes this car is cheaper then my bloody MINI Countryman S!!!!!!

 

The Day I Sat In A.....Mercedes-Benz S-Class S400

Yesterday I was with  my buddy at Jati Transport, Brunei Sole Agent of Mercedes-Benz.  He wanted to test drive the new 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S400 and lucky enough there is one test-drive car available for him.  We jump to the front seats with the Marketing Manager tagging along.

First impression is what a luxury car it is to sit in.  Everything feel so high class inside.  The materials used is for sure high end and high quality.  This particular engine is a hybrid.  It has 306hp that goes to 100km/hr from zero in 6.8sec.  The car didn't feel as fast as I hope it can be partly also because of the sheer size of this car.  It is big, long and heavy.

Upon driving out of the car parking lot, I immediately felt the seats adjusting the bolster on my waist according to my friend cornering behavior.  It was an experience I never felt before.  Every corner he changed the seat will adjust automatically to make sure I seat perfectly.

 

This has to be the biggest LCD I ever see fitted inside a car and they have TWO inside!!!  They are 12.3" in size per screen

 

This car is fitted with BURMESTER sound system.  They are from Germany and another company that I do know has this sound system as option for most of their cars is PORSCHE.  They ain't cheap,  a Porsche Panamera Sound system is a BND$18,000 option!  Yeap, you can buy a Toyota VIOS with that money.

 

Check out the buttons lay-out and the COMAND center. Another unique feature(not shown here) is the Active Perfume system.  Basically is like a air purify system where you purchase a bottle of perfume from their wide ranges of scene which cost about $100.  The system is located in the glove box and it will individualise the smell of your S-Class!  Classy!

  

I felt like a millionaire sitting at the back.  The back seats is also fully reclinable like a First-Class airline seats.

  

Mercedes Benz 350SL

I was at Jati Transport last week with my friend.  He has to drop his car off for part replacement.  This beauty caught my eye when I was strolling in the showroom.   This is the latest SL from Mercedes-Benz and this here is the SL350(lowest engine spec).  Those of you who has deeper pocket can go for the SL500 or SL600.  For those who has even deeper pocket can go for the AMG SL63!  This particular model shown here cost $206,000 showroom price!  For this price the car does come loaded with features and options.   I was kinda disappointed with the interior space though.

The Day I Test Drove A Mercedes Benz A200

Yesterday was my lucky day!  My friend just pitted in his Mercedes Benz E200 for services at Jati Transport.  They gave him a loaner car which is this cool A-Class.  Sadly it is only a A200.  Nevertheless, it is better then nothing.  I took a quick spin from Kiulap to Serusop and I have to say I am very impress with this little car!

Like I said in the previous, the handling and rides on this car is really outstanding.  I cannot praise enough about it! LOL!  This here is the lowest spec from the A-Class range but it does come with lots of cool options!  Firstly, even for a low spec model it still comes with full driver's side electric seat!  The interior seats are fully covered with soft fabrics that has white stitches all over the contour of the seat.  

For the exterior,  you will note that this particular model comes with an optional BND$1800 "Diamond Grille".  Another features worth mentioning is the utilize of full LED and HID system.  The headlights, signal lights, DRL and reverse lights are all equipped with LED systems.  You cannot find any traditional standard bulbs in this car!

Another big thumbs up for this car is the Collision Prevention Assist that comes standard in all A-Class ranges.  The system can detect the distant between the A-Class and those in front given it is stationary or moving .  If it is too close the system will give both visual and acoustic warnings.  Can you believe we actually tested this system.  Not on purpose, but due to one idiot driver who just turned into our lane thinking that the road belongs to them!   Luckily the car gave us a loud acoustic warning and my friend who was driving at that time was able to swirl the car to safety! Really big thumbs up this safety system!

In term of performance, this 1.5litre turbocharged 4 pot is actually not too bad at all.  I don't know why when we tested the A250, it didn't provide much fun compared to the A200.  I think partly also because there were 3 occupants inside the car and our fats probably killed some of the fun in that car.  LOL 

The Day I Sat In A.....Mercedes Benz A250

Good morning readers!  Last week I was fortunate enough to ride shotgun with my buddy who was testing this beautiful Mercedes-Benz A-CLASS A250.  This here you looking at is the high spec version.  It has the full AMG package including the body aero you looking at right now.   It has a 2.0L, 4 pot engine that packed with 210hp with 350Nm.  0-100km/hr will send your hair flying in just 6.6secs. This white one here also come with an optional sunroof.

Below is the infamous new "Diamond grille" I talked about in my previous posts.  That piece you looking at cost BND$1800 as I was told.  I am really digging on the grille.  It has to be the coolest grille ever to be fitted onto a car

The interior is the usual story.  High quality German built as expected from Mercedes-Benz.  It has a LCD for the infotainment plus those cool SLS air-con vents.  Carbon-fiber looks material can also be seen splatted across the dashboard.

Very comfortable full leather sports bucket contoured seats with red seat belts

Standard 18" wheels with red painted brake caliper, standard on A250.

When we tested the car we had 3 occupants sitting inside, so the acceleration some how felt slow to me.  Apart from that,  handling and ride were really firm and smooth.   Gear shifting was slow given it is a 7speed Dual clutches or what Mercedes-Benz called 7S-DCT.   In my opinion, for BND$66,000 it has to be the best sport hatch you can currently buy in Brunei.  Hey this car is even cheaper than my MINI!!!

New Mercedes A-Class is finally here in Brunei!

When this car was announced last year, I felt in love with the design  immediately!  Sadly the car was due for mass market only in the first quarter of 2013.  I do not have the luxury of waiting so we ended up with a BMW 1-Series that never happened and bought a MINI Countryman S instead.  Which till today after seeing this A-Class I still think we made the right choice on choosing the MINI.

I am told there are 3 versions of A-Class available.  The lowest spec cost around low BND$50K, second spec around BND$58k and the highest spec command a price tag of BND$65K.  My apologise as I am not sure this red A-Class is the lowest spec or Mid spec.  It is definitely not the highest spec because it doesn't come with the signature "Diamond" front grille.

There is another model called the AMG A45, price tag for that wild beast is BND$80K+.  It is one of the fastest hatchback money can buy and best of all it is a A-M-G! I can say compared to a BMW 1-Series. the A-Class is more equipped then a BMW 1-Series.  The interior is much more roomy and the sport seats is really an eye-catcher!