March28
Mercedes on Friday announced it will launch its next-generation A-Class compact car at the Auto Mobil International motor show in Leipzig, Germany that takes place on April 5-13. Like its predecessor, the car will be available in either 3- or 5-door hatchback body styles and with a range of gasoline and diesel engines for markets other than North America.
Like in its new, bigger B-class stablemate that will also debut at AMI, Mercedes used an ECO start/stop system on two variants of the A-class. The feature will be available on the gasoline-engined, high-volume models that are A 150 and A 170 BlueEfficiency for up to 9 percent better fuel efficiency in city traffic and less emissions.
The ultra-efficient A160 CDI BlueEfficiency is powered by a direct injection diesel engine that, combined with many electronic and aero tweaks, means the car achieves a fuel economy of 4.5 liters per 100 km on the European NEDC combined cycle, or about a 52 mpg equivalent. This performance earned the model an Environmental Certificate from international ISO standard 14062 "Design For Environment," becoming the first compact car to do so.
The new A-class hatchbacks are distinguished thanks to a new hood, fascia, headlights grille up front, with a new rear fascia and taillights out back. Avantgarde trim get a unique front bumper. The door handles and new, larger mirrors are now body-colored, and receive 15-inch restyled wheels on base models and 16s on higher trims. The interiors feature new seat fabrics and door trim, with the Avantgarde trim receiving diagonally brushed aluminum and the Elegance models sporting wood trim. A larger center console storage compartment and a redesigned cup holder round out interior changes.
Other, more functional changes include making Headlamp Assist and ESP with hill-start assist as standard equipment across the range. For a more comfortable driving position, a telescoping steering wheel has been integrated into the 2009 B-Class as well. Flashing brake lights after a crash are a new safety measure which works to warn other drivers.
New technology includes an optional active parking assist system which helps drivers find a suitable parallel parking spot by measuring it with ultrasonic sensors to see if there is enough space and then steering the car into it, similar to the Lexus system used on its flagship LS sedan.
The newly designed Audio 50 APS infotainment system offers Bluetooth, a color display and Europe-wide navigation and DVD drive. Mercedes' Comand APS navigation and voice command system is optional, and also includes HDD navigation, Music Register, and SD memory card slots. A fresh media interface provides MP3 player and USB connections.
Since its launch in 1997, over two million A-class compacts were sold.
Looks like complete crap.
Wow, nice S-class headlights. That ought to make S-class owners feel good…
lame.
Come on Mercedes, bring it to the States,NOT!
That's not a Mercedes. 20 years ago if you'd shown their board that this was the future they'd have pounded you into schniztel. Where as most carmakers launch a new brand to move upscale, Mercedes needs to go the other direction and make a separate small car division. Sticking a Merc grill on this f*cking shoebox just looks retarded.
I dont think it's that bad
That's because it is crap. What do you expect from a German POS? It'll probably spend its first week in the service dept being repaired.
Oh and nice way to rip off the Pontiac Torrent you German fuckknobs, only this one looks like a cheap shitty Asian wannabe. Real Americans will never buy this POS.
it's still a benz
This POS has barely changed since if first came out, what, like 12 years ago? MB is now more pathetic than Chrysler.
Need: At least the engine is not made in China like the pukey Torrent. (ahem.. "Torrent")
It looks nothing like a Torrent, and why would anyone want to buy one of those
strange how benz sells such downmarket cars in europe. I wonder how that affects the prestige of their luxury offerings.
The 3-door looks pretty good. Nicer than a Prius
e89:
Not really sure. Some benzes are used as taxicabs there. I know a downmarket benz would go over like a lead zeppelin in the U.S.
I got on the previous model when I went to Germany and it looked crappy. Though this one appears to be much better than the previous model Benz shouldn't have built this car.
-> Need more oil for GM
Are you on crack? Calling german cars pieces of shit is like saying an F-22 is a paper plane.
The A-Class might not be the nicest Merc, but it's still nicer than every non-Cadillac GM product. (And I like GM, I really do)
And where does it rip off the Pontiac Torrent, and more importantly why would anybody want to rip off a product that is just an unispired and boring Chevy with a different grille???
-> mayer_ray_nagin
No, the second generation, which was a huge improvement in terms of quality and technology was introduced in 2004 and this is the "facelift"
Anyway, in my opinion, Merc should make the next one more like a 1-Series, rear-wheel-driven and with proper proportions.
jjt, i never saw A or B class as a cab. Perhaps it's me, but I saw a lot of E and C class with smallest diesel engines. I hardly saw A & B on Europe outside of Germany. Those errors don't sell well at all.
only a badgewhore would buy this over a honda fit
autonut: no, I meant som Benzes are cabs