Mercedes-Benz Launches New-Generation A-Class

Stuttgart … After seven years of production and around 1.1 million units sold, Mercedes-Benz is starting the next chapter in the A-Class story by launching a new, even more attractive and more innovative model. For the first time ever Mercedes-Benz is also launching a three-door model to attract buyers with its sporty, youthful image. The second-generation compact (technically a B-segment MPV) will start to appear in European showrooms in the autumn of 2004 and UK showrooms in spring 2005.

Ex factory, the three-door A 150 version costs € 17,632 while the five-door version comes in at € 18,502. The excellent standard equipment provided with the A-Class includes air conditioning, a multifunction steering wheel, speed-dependent power-assisted steering, ESP^®, a selective damping system, head/thorax-side airbags as well as adaptive front airbags and belt force limiters. New and updated four-cylinder engines deliver up to 38% more power while fuel consumption has been reduced by up to 10%.

The A-Class distinguishes itself from other cars through its unique sandwich concept and striking one-box design. The sweeping lines of the body reflect its individualistic character and at the same time symbolise the outstanding properties of the A-Class: dynamism, intelligence and emotional appeal. Newly designed headlamps, a striking radiator grille, muscularly sculpted wings and a bold sweep along its side profile accentuate the compact, dynamic and self-assured image of this car. The modified body dimensions and proportions also ensure that the A-Class looks more powerful as well: when compared with its predecessor, the new compact Mercedes car is 232 mm longer and 45 mm wider.

The new three-door model variant provides all the outstanding safety and comfort attributes of the A-Class and then adds flowing lines to the mix to underline the vitality and charm of this car. From the end of 2004 onwards, the three-door model will be offering both an attractive and low-cost entry point to the world of Mercedes-Benz.

¹Available from the end of 2004; ²in the AVANTGARDE or ELEGANCE line

	A 150	A 170	A 200	A 160 CDI¹	A 180 CDI	A 200 CDI²
Power Output (DIN)	70 kW / 95 PS	85 kW / 115 PS	100 kW / 136 PS	60 kW / 82 PS	80 kW / 109 PS	103 kW / 140 PS
3-door model¹	€ 17,632	€ 19,140	€ 20,532	€ 19,024	€ 20,532	€ 24,302
5-door model	€ 18,502	€ 20,010	€ 21,402	€ 19,894	€ 21,402	€ 25,172

The second generation A-Class remains true to its reputation as a technological trendsetter: ground-breaking innovations again make their premiere performances in this vehicle, further improving driving safety and drive comfort; more than 200 patents are used in the new Mercedes model.

In addition to the unique sandwich concept which delivers front and side impact advantages, the new belt and airbag system in the A-Class ensures the level of passenger safety we have come to expect from Mercedes. This includes adaptive two-stage front airbags, seat belt tensioners for front seat passengers and the outer rear seats, adaptive belt force limiters and newly developed head/thorax-side airbags in place of the former sidebags.

The new A-Class also offers a range of new features in terms of driving safety and roadholding. The main technical chassis innovation is the parabolic rear axle which is characterised by precision tracking and good anti-roll support when cornering. The rear axle therefore makes an important contribution to the driving safety, dynamic handling and high levels of drive comfort experienced in the new A-Class.

The chassis of the compact Mercedes car features another special innovation fitted as standard: a new kind of selective damping system which is celebrating its world first in automotive construction. Thanks to this system, the shock absorber forces are adapted to the current driving situation.

More performance, more torque, increased driving pleasure and enhanced fuel economy — these were the objectives laid down when developing the engines used in the new A-Class. The new range will feature seven four-cylinder engines — including three new CDI models and a new 142 kW / 193 PS turbocharged gasoline engine. When compared with their predecessors, the performance of the gasoline and diesel engines used in the new A-Class has increased by up to 38% and torque levels have improved by up to 46%. Even with these higher performance levels, the fuel consumption of the gasoline models has fallen by up to ten percent. All engines satisfy the stringent EU-4 exhaust gas limits and a particulate filter system can be supplied on request for the diesel engines.

The three newly developed CDI diesel engines are based on second-generation common-rail technology which operates with dual pilot fuel injection and a higher fuel injection pressure (1600 bar). This and other measures result in a considerable increase in performance and torque, a drop in exhaust gas emissions and audible improvements in noise comfort.

Fuel consumption of the CDI models in the NEDC cycle is 4.9 to 5.4 L/100 km, equalling the level achieved in the previous A-Class. The A 160 CDI can travel around 1100 km on one tank (54 L).

All models of the new A-Class are available with the new AUTOTRONIC CVT as an option — the first Mercedes CVT. The driver can choose between two automatic programs. In the Comfort program the transmission keeps the engine speed at the lowest possible level, so that the A-Class accelerates more gently and consumes less fuel. In the Sport program AUTOTRONIC automatically recognises the individual driving style and adapts the shift strategy accordingly. A manual mode divides the ratio range into seven virtual stages selected by briefly nudging the shift lever up or down.

A compact car on the outside and a family car on the inside, with the space available in a mini van - the new A-Class also manages to combine these apparently mutually exclusive features by virtue of its unique sandwich concept. The new compact Mercedes car outperforms its predecessor and competitors in terms of all comfort-linked interior dimensions: the shoulder room has grown by up to 97 mm, the width provided for passengers' elbows by up to 95 mm and the space at knee height in the rear by 30 mm. The distance between the front and rear seats is 805 mm — the same as many mid-size sedans.

The choice of interior materials is based on scientific investigations conducted in the laboratories of DaimlerChrysler's research department, where car drivers evaluated surface materials, switches and controls in terms of how they feel to touch and provided valuable insight into the development of interior parts which not only look good, but are also good to touch. This means that looks and feel complement each other and make an important contribution to driver and passenger comfort. The Mercedes formula for the best possible touch, feel and ergonomics (termed "haptics") has been developed on the basis of these scientific tests.

Alongside the dimensional concept, seat design and ergonomics, the air conditioning system in the interior compartment also helps to increase the safety and well-being of car passengers. In the new A-Class, Mercedes-Benz is therefore offering a high-performance air conditioning system as standard. The THERMOTRONIC automatic air conditioning system which operates on the basis of data recorded by sensors on temperature, position of the sun, air humidity and level of pollutants in the outside air is available as an option. Other optional extras available from the Mercedes luxury class include the innovative COMAND APS control and display system, the Audio 50 APS navigation car radio and bi-xenon headlamps.

The luggage capacity of the new A-Class exceeds that of its predecessor by up to 15%. Thanks to the fact that the rear seats are split in a 1/3 to 2/3 ratio, the interior compartment can be laid out in different ways in a few simple moves to satisfy the transport task in hand. Both the seat cushions and the backrests can be folded forwards individually or all together and the height-adjustable loading floor therefore produces a flat loading area with a capacity of 1350 L (following the VDA measuring method)*. If the optional EASY-VARIO-PLUS system is supplied in the five-door model, both rear seat cushions and the rear seat backrests can be taken out. This system also offers the option of folding the backrest of the passenger seat forward or removing the passenger seat completely. The load area then increases to a length of 2.75 m and the loading volume goes up to 1995 L.