Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that its new A-Class is priced from £25,800, making it £3960 more than a new BMW 1 Series.
That figure is for the entry-level 180d SE model, while the petrol-powered A 200 starts from £27,500. The more powerful A 250 costs from £30,240. (Read on for more engine details).
Three trims are available: Sport and SE, Sport and AMG Line. The latter currently accounts for 50% of A-Class sales. First deliveries are due in June.
Although higher than its main rival, those prices come with promise of class-leading levels of connectivity, as well as a new interior with the most advanced version yet of the German car maker’s Comand infotainment system. Even the entry-level car gets twin infotainmant displays with voice control technology, emphasising the level of kit on offer across the line-up.
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This sixth-generation tech set-up features a newly developed MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) function that brings touchscreen control, an innovative voice control system and augmented reality navigation not even offered on Mercedes’ range-topping S-Class.
Rough and ready, but an elbows-out walkaround of the new #MercedesAClass2018 - see https://t.co/ZADk470yUp and https://t.co/9QX5lDb5A9 for more pic.twitter.com/W6rlpdssD4
— Jim Holder (@Jim_Holder) February 2, 2018
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The A-Class is once again offered exclusively in five-door form. It is the first of up to eight new compact models that are under development and due for launch by the end of 2020.
These include successor models to the existing B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and GLA as well as a trio of new models: an A-Class saloon, an SUV model set to be called the GLB and the all-electric EQ A previewed at the Frankfurt motor show last September.
Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche said at the car's reveal: "The A-Class has been a big driver of change at Mercedes. This last version is not a car that gives much of an impression of entry-level. It's a grown-up A-Class that fully embraces our vision of luxury.
"It looks and drives like a grown-up Mercedes. We have fundamentally improved the driving experience - and as a result of the torsional stiffness comfort has grown too. It has the abilities of a car from a higher segment. It is at C-Class level in these regards, and S-Class level in regards to driver assistance and safety systems."
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Overdrive
It does not...
...appeal!
Pierre
One True A-Class
The nicest A-Class was the first A-Class and I'm delighted to see how many of them are still on the road, going strong and looking good. In fact, looking much better than any subsequent A-Class because let's face it, the first truly was the best and most interesting small M-B.
I wish they could come up with something to match it instead of wallowing in bling and unusable BHP.
si73
Pierre wrote:
Agree, the original which had the space of a C class in a car that took up no more room than a ford ka, was great, not especially well built like all mercs back then and not the great seller it deserved to be. I often think that it should be replicated as a city car as it beats all current city cars for interior space whilst being no bigger. Like the A2, innovation is replaced with ordinary and sells better, who'd guess?
catnip
I'm glad that Mercedes are
I'm glad that Mercedes are abandoning their oversized blobby headlamp units which has always held back the looks of their models, but how on earth do LED tail lights help to make the hatchback opening wider? Surely a manufacturer can alter the size, shape and location of its lights as much as it wants, LED or not? The interior doesn't look easy to operate at a glance either.
BertoniBertone
Substantial....
Having turned their backs forever on returning to the 'hewn from billet' solidity of yester-year, I now see MB's Gordon Wagener has gone to Hyundai's styling department for inspiration.........Nice.
Viscount Biscuit
I agree that the first series
I agree that the first series A class was a landmark and inspirational vehicle. I’m still keen to run one of the later editions as a run-about. I admired the innovation and the risk.
But, it didn’t pay off for Mercedes. This highly capable but drab box, albeit it with a marvellous dashboard, is the sales success that the original wasn’t. It’s the correct commercial move, who cares what I think.
erly5
Nothing new to see here
Looks disappointingly similar to the current model, but unfortunately this frequently seems to be the way nowadays!
Overdrive
erly5 wrote:
It also looks disappointingly similar to the latest Sean Leon.
Andrew1
No hybrid?
Lanehogger
Substance to back up the appeal this time?
The previous model was quite rubbish and only sold well due to its badge, appeal and (while subjective) its looks. In all other respects it wasn't spacious, wasn't that refined, it didn't handle or ride particularly well, the interior quality was naff and the range of engines were mostly average and unrefined. It was quite possibly the worst car in the class on sale in the UK and by some margin. Thing is though, when it sold that well is there any point in Mercedes making this new model any better knowing full well that it'll probably sell just as well. At the end of the day all prospective buyers will be interested in is the badge, looks and an affordable way to get in to a new Mercedes. Thank god Mercedes still has integrity intact with the likes of the S-Class.
As for the looks of the new A-Class, there are no real surprises in its evolutionary looks although it does give us some hints as to the styling cues that'll feature in the next generation of Mercswhich started off with this new A-Class. And at least this new one doesn't look as bulky at the front as the previous model, almost as if it was from a larger car.
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