Daimler has launched its new Mercedes-Benz A-Class – revealed earlier this year at the Geneva show – with its usual grandiose claims – “the benchmark in the compact class”, “youthful and dynamic as ever, but grown-up and comfortable like never before”, “completely redefines modern luxury” in the compact class” and “revolutionises interior design”. Based on an earlier teaser, we might give them the last one.
Completely restyled, the latest model adds, usually as options knowing Mercedes, functions “previously the preserve of the luxury class” – a degree of semi-autonomous driving, and multibeam LED headlamps amongst them – and new diesel and petrol engines.
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Order books are open and deliveries start in May. A saloon version for China, built by Beijing Benz, is due to be shown next week at the Beijing motor show.
The car offers MBUX – Mercedes-Benz User Experience said to combine intuitive and natural operation with intelligent, learning software.
The new model has a longer wheelbase and character line along the side. The bonnet slopes down more heavily than in the preceding model series and the wheel arches – for wheels from 16 to 19 inches – are larger.
With a cd figure from 0.25 and a frontal area of 2.19 m2, the new A-Class is claimed to be the aerodynamic leader in its segment and better than the predecessor. Mercedes is claiming a compact segment first for an optional two-section airpanel – a system behind the radiator grille which opens its adjustable louvres depending on the cooling requirement. There is an additional louvre system in the air inlet below the registration plate which further improves system performance. Why this is only optional was not explained.
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By GlobalDataAs teased earlier, the interior is completely redesigned and a cowl above the cockpit has been ditched so the wing-shaped main body of the dashboard extends from one front door to the other with no visual discontinuity. The widescreen display (optional, of course) is free standing and air vents have a “sporty turbine look”.
The dashboard is divided into two three-dimensional, horizontal sections: the lower section is visually separated from the main body of the dashboard by a trench and it appears to float in front of the dashboard. The ambient lighting enhances this effect, accentuating the free-floating impression of the substructure. The 64 colours of the (you guessed it, optional) ambient lighting make five times as many colours available than before. The different colours are composed into 10 colour “worlds to allow an avant-garde lighting display with spectacular colour changes”.
Depending on model, the free-standing display consists of two seven-inch screens, one seven- and one 10.25-inch or two 10.25-inch.
This is the first Merc with the new MBUX infotainment system which can learn thanks to artificial intelligence.
It combines the high-resolution widescreen cockpit with touchscreen operation of the media display, the navigation display with augmented reality technology plus intelligent voice control with natural speech recognition and a head-up display is – optional. The touchscreen is part of the comprehensive MBUX touch-control concept – a triad consisting of the touchscreen, touchpad on the centre console (optional again) and touch control buttons in the steering wheel.
New and improved Mercedes me connect services are launched with MBUX. These include navigation functions based on Car-to-X communication (information from vehicle to vehicle about events registered by sensors such as emergency braking, ESP intervention, or manual reporting such as of an accident by the driver), and Vehicle Tracker, which makes it easier to find the parked vehicle, as well as outputting a message if the parked vehicle suffers an impact or is towed away.
Online content such as current filling station prices or the availability of parking spaces in a multi-storey car park are displayed in MBUX – as an option. Online updating is possible.
The new A-Class is already set up for private car sharing: Mercedes me allows the car to be shared with friends and family members.
The cabin offers more shoulder, elbow and headroom plus easier access to the rear and the 370 litres boot is 29 litres bigger.
Seat climate control and a multicontour seat package with massage are available for the front seats which can be ordered in three different forms.
The new car can drive semi-autonomously in certain situations if items like Active Distance Assist and the Driving Assistance package are ordered along with Active Emergency Stop Assist and Active Lane Change Assist. Active Brake Assist is standard and can mitigate rear-end collisions with slower-moving, stopping or stationary vehicles ahead, and with crossing pedestrians and cyclists.
Pre-Safe Plus can recognise an imminent rear-end collision and apply the brakes when stationary, minimising injuries by reducing the forward jolt caused by an impact from the rear.
There are three launch engines (two petrol, one diesel):
- A200 (1.3 litres, cylinder shut-off, 120kW/163 hp, 250 Nm); with 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission
- A250 with 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission (two litres, 165 kW/224 hp, 350 Nm)
- A180d with 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission (1.5 litres, AdBlue, 85 kW/116 hp, 260 Nm)
Both petrol engine series have a particulate filter as standard.
4MATIC 4WD with fully variable torque distribution is optional.
Production will eventually be in five plants on three continents. Rastatt was first with Hungary, Finland (contract assembler Valmet) and China to follow. A plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico is a new addition to the network.
