The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W177) was finally unveiled and a great responsibility rests with the new model after reinventing the range with the successful generation it now replaces. To guarantee the success of the new generation of the model, Mercedes-Benz spared no efforts.
Revised platform, a completely new engine and others profoundly revised, with the greatest emphasis being given to the interior, not only is it radically distancing itself from its predecessor, but also debuts the new infotainment system MBUX — Mercedes-Benz User Experience.
Inside. the biggest revolution
And we start precisely with the interior, highlighting its architecture that is totally different from its predecessor — goodbye, conventional instrument panel. In its place we find two horizontal sections - one upper and one lower - that extend the entire width of the cabin without interruption. The instrument panel is now composed of two horizontally arranged screens — as we've seen in other models of the brand — regardless of the version.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class — AMG Line interior.
MBUX
Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) is the name of the star brand's new infotainment system and it was the Mercedes-Benz A-Class debut. Not only does it mean the presence of two screens — one for entertainment and navigation, the other for instruments — but it also means the introduction of brand new interfaces that promise easier and more intuitive use of all the system's functions. The voice assistant — Linguatronic — stands out, which even allows the recognition of conversational commands, with the integration of artificial intelligence, which will seek to adapt to the needs of each user. "Hey, Mercedes" is the expression that activates the assistant.
Depending on the version, the sizes of these same screens are:
- with two 7 inch screens
- with a 7 inch and a 10.25 inch
- with two 10.25-inch screens
The interior thus presents itself with a “cleaner” appearance, but also a lot more sophisticated than before.
more spacious
Still not coming out of the interior, the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class will offer its occupants more space, whether for themselves — both front and back, and for head, shoulders and elbows — or for their luggage — capacity grows up to 370 liters (29 more than the predecessor).
According to the brand, accessibility is also better, especially when accessing the rear seats and the luggage compartment — the door is wider by about 20 cm.
The feeling of space is also enhanced thanks to a 10% reduction in the area obscured by the pillars.
The increased internal dimensions reflect the external dimensions — the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class has grown in every way. It is 12 cm longer, 2 cm wider and 1 cm taller, with the wheelbase growing by about 3 cm.
A mini-CLS?
If the interior is really the highlight, the exterior doesn't disappoint either — it's the latest model from the brand to embrace the new phase of the Sensual Purity language. In the words of Gorden Wagener, design director at Daimler AG:
The new A-Class embodies the next phase in our Sensual Purity design philosophy […] With clear contours and sensual surfaces, we present high-tech that arouses emotions. Shape and body are what remain when creases and lines are reduced to an extreme
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class ends up, however, going to “drink” much of its identity from the Mercedes-Benz CLS, presented last month at the Detroit Motor Show. Especially at the ends, it is possible to observe the similarities between the two, in the solutions found for defining the front — a set of grille optics and side air intakes — and rear optics.
Not only is the look more sophisticated, the exterior design is more effective. The Cx has been reduced to just 0.25, making it the most “wind friendly” in the segment.
Engines with French genes
The big news, in terms of engines, is the debut of a new gasoline engine for the A 200. With 1.33 liters, one turbo and four cylinders , it is the engine developed in partnership with Renault. At Mercedes-Benz, this new powertrain receives the M 282 designation, and the units destined for the A-Class and the future family of compact models of the brand, will be produced at the factory in Kölleda, Germany, belonging to the German brand.
It stands out for its compact size and for being able to deactivate two of the cylinders, when conditions permit. As is increasingly the norm, it is already equipped with a particle filter.
It can be paired with a six-speed manual transmission or a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission — 7G-DCT. In the future, this new thruster will also be associated with the 4MATIC system.
In this initial phase, the Class A includes two more engines: A 250 and A 180d. The first uses an evolution of the 2.0 turbo from the previous generation, proving to be a little more powerful, but more economical. This engine is available in front-wheel drive versions or, as an option, all-wheel drive.
The second, the A 180d, is the only Diesel option during this initial phase and is also a French-origin propeller — Renault's well-known 1.5 engine. Although well known, it has also been revised and, like petrol engines, it is able to meet the strictest Euro6d emission standards and ready to face the demanding WLTP and RDE test cycles.
| At 200 | At 200 | to 250 | At 180d | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gear box | 7G-DCT | MT 6 | 7G-DCT | 7G-DCT |
| Capacity | 1.33 l | 1.33 l | 2.0 l | 1.5 l |
| power | 163 CV | 163 CV | 224 CV | 116 CV |
| Binary | 250 Nm at 1620 rpm | 250 Nm at 1620 rpm | 350 Nm at 1800 rpm | 260 Nm between 1750 and 2500 |
| Average consumption | 5.1 l/100 km | 5.6 l/100 km | 6.0 l/100 km | 4.1 l/100 km |
| CO2 emissions | 120 g/km | 133 g/km | 141 g/km | 108 g/km |
| Acceleration 0—100 km/h | 8.0s | 8.2s | 6.2s | 10.5s |
| Maximum speed | 225 km/h | 225 km/h | 250 km/h | 202 km/h |
In the future, expect a plug-in hybrid engine.
Directly from S-Class
Naturally, the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class will come equipped with the latest advances in driving assistants. And it even includes equipment that are directly adopted from the S-Class, such as the Intelligent Drive, which allows semi-autonomous driving in certain situations.For this reason, it was equipped with a new camera and radar system capable of “seeing” at a distance of 500 meters, in addition to having GPS and navigation system information.
Among the various functions, the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC , which allows you to adjust the speed when approaching curves, intersections or roundabouts. It also debuts an evasive maneuver assistant, which not only helps to brake automatically when it detects an obstacle, but also assists the driver to avoid it, between speeds of 20 to 70 km/h.
Briefly…
What's new in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class doesn't stop there. The range will be enriched with more powerful versions, with an AMG stamp. The A35 will be an absolute novelty, an intermediate version between the regular A-Class and the “predator” A45. There are still no official data, but power is expected to be around 300 hp and a semi-hybrid system, made possible by the adoption of a 48 V electrical system.
Really look like? The A45, known internally as the “Predator”, will reach the 400 hp barrier, going against the Audi RS3, which has already reached it. Both the A35 and A45 are expected to appear in 2019.
