Underpinned
by its singular sandwich construction, the new A-Class boasts
a host of tantalising benefits, such as Mercedes standards of
occupant safety, exemplary utilisation of space and outstanding
versatility. The levels of spaciousness inside the vehicle are
a marked improvement on the outgoing model and also better 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 five-door version is
now joined for the first time by a three-door model whose sporty,
youthful styling is bound to attract admiring glances. A choice
of four engines and three different design & equipment lines
will be available in Australia within the first year. Power
output of the four-cylinder engines has been upped by as much
as 13 per cent, whilst fuel consumption has been cut by up to
ten per cent.
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.
The lines of the bodyshell capture the special nature of the
new A-Class, as well as epitomising its overriding characteristics:
dynamism, intelligence and appeal. Restyled headlamps, a bolder
radiator grille, powerfully contoured wings and the sweeping
lines along the sides combine to reinforce the overall impression
of compactness, dynamism and self assurance. The 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.
Intelligent
package of safety features for comprehensive occupant safety
The second
generation of the A-Class stays true to its reputation for setting
the pace in the technology stakes: once again, a series of groundbreaking
innovations which enhance driving safety and ride comfort are
celebrating their debut in the new model; all in all, over 200
patented designs feature in the new compact car.
Quite apart
from the matchless sandwich concept that comes into its own
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. Features include adaptive two-stage
front airbags, belt tensioners for the front and outer rear
seats, adaptive belt force limiters side airbags and windowbags.
The more extensive use of high-strength and ultra-high-strength
steel alloys combines with high-strength bonded joints and additional
support sections within the fabric of the bodywork to assist
in keeping the vehicle's occupants well protected even in the
event of a serious accident.
The sandwich
concept has proved its capabilities time and again since its
introduction in the A-Class in 1998 and has helped to protect
the car's occupants in serious road accidents. Indeed, it has
played a central role in reducing the severity of passenger
injury in frontal collisions to well below the average values
normally seen in this vehicle class.
New rear
axle and selective damping system make their debuts
A host of
new developments has allowed Mercedes-Benz to make considerable
progress in terms of the driving safety and handling stability
of the A-Class. The most prominent of the chassis innovations
is the parabolic rear axle, whose fortes include precision wheel
location as well as excellent roll support when cornering. As
a result, the new rear axle plays a pivotal role in achieving
the exemplary driving safety, dynamic handling and outstanding
levels of ride comfort offered by the new A-Class.
Another
ingenious feature included as standard with the chassis of the
new compact model 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
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.
Significant
boost to power and torque, plus exemplary fuel consumption
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 142-kW
petrol engine (available end of 2005). Compared to the outgoing
model series, the output of the petrol engines for the new A-Class
has increased by up to 13 per cent, while torque has improved
by as much as 7 per cent. Despite their increased power output,
it has been possible to cut the fuel consumption of the petrol
engines by up to ten per cent. All the engines meet the tight
EU4 emissions limits.
The new
A 200 TURBO model (available at the end of 2005) will see the
A-Class enter a new realm in terms of performance; the rated
output of 142 kW makes the four-cylinder unit one of the most
powerful in its displacement class. The high maximum torque
of 280 Newton metres is constantly on tap over a wide rev band
from 1800 rpm up to 4850 rpm, 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 227 km/h.
All models
in the new A-Class range are available with the brand new AUTOTRONIC
continuously variable automatic transmission 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 AUTOTRONIC
package is rounded off by high ride comfort and low noise levels.
Setting
premium standards for spaciousness, touch & feel and ergonomics
A compact
car on the outside, yet a family car with the spaciousness of
a mini-MPV under the surface, the unique sandwich concept of
the new A-Class succeeds in combining these apparently conflicting
characteristics into a single vehicle. 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 saloons.
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. On the basis of the scientific tests,
it was possible to devise the Mercedes "TAF" (touch-and-feel)
formula for achieving optimum tactile and ergonomic qualities.
The visual
qualities of the interior thus 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.
EASY-VARIO-PLUS
increases load capacity to as much as 1995 litres
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. The ingenious versatility
concept of the predecessor model has undergone systematic redevelopment
to revolve around the principle of "rearrangement first".
It allows
the interior to be adapted to the transportation task at hand
in a few simple steps without having to resort to removing the
rear seats. The 1/3 : 2/3 split of the rear seating unit, featuring
seat cushions and backrests that can both be folded forwards,
makes it possible to produce a completely level loading area,
whilst increasing the load capacity of the luggage compartment
to as much as 1370 litres (measured using VDA method).
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.
Customers
opting for the EASY-VARIO-PLUS system have the added luxury
of being able to remove both rear seat cushions and the rear
backrests. This system also allows the backrest of the front
passenger seat to be folded forwards and the front passenger
seat to be removed completely. As a result, the load area increases
in length to 2.75 metres, while maximum load capacity expands
to 1995 litres.
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