Mercedes-Benz Compact Car Arrives

By Motoring Channel Staff - 12/05/2005

After a production run of seven years and some 1.1 million sales worldwide, Mercedes-Benz is now opening up the next chapter in the A-Class story by launching a new, more attractive and more innovative second-generation model in Australia.

The new A-Class, previewed at the Melbourne motor show in March 2005, replaces the successful first-generation A-Class, which has been on sale in Australia for the past six and a half years.

In that time around 6,900 A-Class models were sold, attracting thousands of new customers to the Mercedes-Benz brand.

And the German company hopes to attract many more first-time Mercedes buyers, with the range beginning at $29,900 for the 3-door A 150 model - the most cost-effective way to get behind a brand new Merc.

Prices for the 5-door range are the same as the outgoing first-generation A-Class: the new A 170 Classic starts with a recommended retail price of $36,900, the same as the outgoing A 160 L Classic.

In addition, the company is introducing a new 3-door range, starting with a recommended retail price of $29,900 for the new A 150 manual Classic 3-door.

The second-generation model range includes the choice of four petrol engines (A 150, A 170, A 200 and A 200 Turbo) two body styles (5-door and 3-door) and three design and equipment lines (Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde).

The new flagship model, the A 200 Turbo, boasting 142kW of power, will be introduced at the end of 2005.

All Australian-delivered A-Class models will have comprehensive, high-grade specifications. Even the entry-level Classic models come standard with an array of key safety and comfort features which are by no means taken for granted in this vehicle segment.

There's adaptive front airbags, side airbags, windowbags, adaptive belt force limiters, multifunction steering wheel, speed-sensitive power steering, selective damping system, air conditioning, Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program, power windows and remote-central locking to name but a few items on the standard equipment list.

"We are confident that the new A-Class will meet the high expectations of our customers," said Mr Horst von Sanden, managing director of the Mercedes Car Group in Australia.

"Despite retaining its compact external dimensions it has undoubtedly matured to adulthood. As a genuine Mercedes-Benz it combines virtues that are highly appreciated by the most demanding of customers.

"These include safety, comfort and performance, together with strengths such as variability, high-quality equipment and not least, an appealing, distinctive design,” von Sanden said.

The levels of spaciousness inside the vehicle are a marked improvement on the outgoing model and also better than other compact cars. The new A-Class also clearly outstrips its competitors when it comes to high-class appeal, further substantiating its premium billing.

The new A-Class model range comprises two body versions, each with their own distinctive character: the versatile 5-door version is now joined for the first time by a 3-door model whose sporty, youthful styling is bound to attract admiring glances.

The one-of-a-kind body concept and the eye-catching one-box design clearly set the Mercedes compact car aside from other cars in its segment. Restyled headlamps, a bolder radiator grille, powerfully contoured wheel arches and the sweeping lines along the sides combine to reinforce the overall impression of compactness, dynamism and self assurance.

Growth in the body's dimensions and proportions now gives the A-Class a more powerful stature: compared to the previous model, the new compact car from Mercedes measures 232 millimetres longer from nose to tail and an extra 45 millimetres widthways.

The new three-door version offers all of the exemplary safety and comfort attributes associated with the A-Class and supplements them with body lines which emphasise this model's youthful and vibrant charm.

From July 2005, the three-door version will be offering customers a route into the world of Mercedes-Benz that is as appealing as it is inexpensive, at under $30,000.

Quite apart from the car's exterior is the technology involved, particularly in terms of safety. In the event of collisions from the front or the side, the newly developed and highly efficient seat-belt and airbag system fitted aboard the A-Class ensures that occupant safety meets Mercedes' typically stringent standards.

Another feature included as standard is the revolutionary new selective damping system that is making its automotive premiere in the A-Class. The new technology is able to adjust the shock absorber forces (suspension) as the driving situation changes: under normal conditions, soft shock absorber characteristics translate into tremendous ride comfort, while the full damping force takes effect when cornering at speed in order to stabilise the A-Class as effectively as possible.

More output, more torque, more driving pleasure, reduced fuel consumption – these were the list of development objectives for the engines fitted in the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The line-up includes four petrol engines including a new turbocharged 142kW petrol engine.

The new A 200 Turbo model, which won't hit MB dealerships until late 2005, will see the A-Class enter a new realm in terms of performance; the rated output of 142kW makes the 4-cylinder unit one of the most powerful in the compact class.

The maximum torque of 280Nm is constantly on tap over a wide rev band from 1800rpm up to 4850rpm, the point at which output peaks. The most powerful model in the new A-Class range sprints from standstill to 100 km/h in a mere 8.0 seconds and has a top speed of 227km/h.

Below is the list of the four A-Class models and their petrol engines specificiations:

All models in the new A-Class range are available with the brand new Autotronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) as an option. This is the first transmission from Mercedes-Benz to operate on this principle, in which the ratios are changed continuously by means of a pulley-wheel variator and a steel thrust belt.

As a result, the A-Class is able to accelerate with no interruption of tractive power, and the engine attains its maximum output more quickly than with a conventional automatic transmission.

The new compact car from Mercedes outperforms both its predecessor model and its competitors as far as its comfort-related interior dimensions are concerned. Shoulder room has increased by as much as 97 millimetres, the passengers' elbow room by up to 95 millimetres and knee room in the rear by 30 millimetres. The space between the front and rear seats now stands at 805 millimetres, putting it on a par with medium-sized sedans.

The selection of materials for the A-Class interior is based on scientific studies conducted in the laboratories of DaimlerChrysler's research department. Here, motorists assessed the touch and feel of a range of different surface materials, switches and controls, and were able to provide valuable pointers for the development of interior components which not only look good but are also pleasant to the touch.

The visual qualities of the interior therefore provide a harmonious complement to the touch and feel of its component parts. Together, these two areas make a major contribution to the comfort of the car occupants. In addition, experts conducted a series of ergonomics tests and used the results to improve the controls, seating position and angle of vision for the driver.

The boot capacity now totals 435 litres, exceeding that of the current A-Class by as much as 15 per cent, at the same time as setting a new benchmark figure for this segment. In addition to this, the 2/3-section of the seat cushion can be removed and stowed under the height-adjustable luggage compartment floor in order to create more space for luggage and leisure or sports equipment.

The new A-Class is currently on sale now in Australia. Recommended retail prices for Australia are as follows:

A 150 CLASSIC 3-door $29,900
A 170 CLASSIC 3-door $34,400
A 170 CLASSIC 5-door $36,900
A 170 AVANTGARDE 3-door $37,400
A 170 ELEGANCE 5-door $39,900
A 200 AVANTGARDE 3-door $40,400
A 200 ELEGANCE 5-door $42,900
A 200 TURBO 3-door $TBA
A 200 TURBO 5-door $TBA