The new Mercedes A-Class
The A-Class features the new Mercedes-Benz User Experience infotainment system
The new Mercedes A-Class has been unveiled at an event in Amsterdam
The new A-Class features what Mercedes calls its most advanced infotainment system evet
The new A-Class has been restyled, taking cues from the new CLS
Range-topping model at launch will be the 221bhp A250
New LED rear lights help to make the tailgate aperture of the A-Class 20mm wider than that of the outgoing model
The new Mercedes hatch is claimed to offer vastly improved levels of refinement
The A-Class will once again be offered exclusively in five-door form when UK sales...
...of the new, fourth-generation version start in June
As standard, there are two 7.0in displays and an analogue instrument cluster
Upmarket ambience is emphasised by twin 10.3in screens
A-Class is 120mm longer than today’s at 4419mm
The newly designed headlights can be specified with optional Multibeam LED technology
The new A-Class will be available with the choice of three four-cylinder engines from the start of sales
The cabin receives a distinctive dashboard-mounted black panel display and switchgear similar to that first introduced on the S-class
Mercedes-Benz claims a class-leading drag coefficient of 0.25 for the new A-Class
The new A-Class is based on a modified version of the outgoing model’s MFA platform
The Vision A 93, revealed at the Frankfurt motor show in 1993
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.
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
2019 Mercedes-AMG A45 'Predator' confirmed with more than 400bhp
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."
Here's a look inside the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Full story: https://t.co/SotckbrJeq pic.twitter.com/U75ZwQNoFl
— Autocar (@autocar) February 2, 2018
The car is is based on a modified version of the outgoing model’s MFA platform and features a 30mm longer wheelbase and 14mm wider front track. The new Mercedes hatch, which has the internal codename W177, is also claimed to offer vastly improved levels of refinement. This is thanks to improvements in the rigidity of its body structure, altered axle mountings and more comprehensive sound-deadening measures. There are also enhanced aerodynamics: Mercedes-Benz claims a class- leading drag coefficient of 0.25 for the new A-Class.
Opinion: the A-Class' success has only just begun
The styling of Merc’s new entry-level model, initially previewed by the Concept A saloon at last year’s Shanghai motor show, draws heavily on the look of the recently unveiled CLS, most notably at the front. The two cars share what has been dubbed a ‘predator face’, with an AMG-inspired grille and angular headlights that extend back into the front wings, giving it a distinctly more aggressive air.
The newly designed headlights can be specified with optional Multibeam LED technology with adaptive high-beam assist plus, as well as individual city and motorway lighting functions and cornering lights.
New LED rear lights help to make the tailgate aperture of the A-Class 20mm wider than that of the outgoing model. Larger wheelhouses also allow Mercedes to offer 19in wheels as an option on non-AMG models for the first time.
The adoption of the larger platform has led to an incremental increase in the car’s external dimensions. Length is up by 120mm at 4419mm, width increases by 16mm to 1796mm and height extends by 2mm to 1440mm.
The increases have enabled Mercedes to improve the overall practicality of the A-Class. The rear door apertures are larger to ease entry to the back seats, and the boot’s capacity is 29 litres bigger than the old model’s at a nominal 370 litres.
It’s inside where Mercedes has concentrated much of its efforts on the new A-Class. The cabin receives a distinctive dashboard-mounted black panel display and switchgear similar to that first introduced on the S-class. The so-called widescreen cockpit comes in three themes: Classic, Sport and Discreet.
"As standard, there are two 7.0in displays, one for the instrument cluster and another which is the first touchscreen infotainment system to be offered in a Mercedes model."
To unlock the full potential of its connectivity functions, the A-Class needs to be equipped with the optional extended version of the widescreen cockpit display, which features twin 10.3in screens, with a digital instrument display and touchscreen infotainment.
In this specification, it has a wi-fi hotspot and can also be optionally fitted with high-definition navigation with live traffic updates and car-to-X communication with map updates, a head-up display unit, traffic sign assist, augmented reality navigation and a Burmester sound system, among other functions.
The highlight of the MBUX connectivity system is an advanced optional speech recognition system designed to work along similar lines to Amazon’s Alexa voice service. It permits users to provide spoken commands through a “Hey, Mercedes” function that has been developed to recognise conversational language rather than specifically worded commands.
The new A-Class is available with the choice of three four-cylinder engines.
The A200 petrol is a heavily updated version of the Renault-Nissan-produced 1.4-litre unit delivering 160bhp and 184lb ft.
The more powerful A250 uses Mercedes’ recently updated 2.0-litre petrol engine, with 221bhp and 258lb ft. As the performance leader of the launch range, it is claimed to have a 0-62mph time of 6.2sec and a governed 155mph top speed.
Two more petrol models are expected later: an entry-level unit sitting below the A200 and a mid-range A-Class falling between the A200 and A250.
The sole diesel choice from the outset of sales is the A180d, which uses a 1.5-litre unit also produced by Renault-Nissan and delivering 114bhp and 192lb ft.
Claimed to return 68.9mpg and with average CO2 output of 108g/km on the combined cycle, it comes as standard with a particulate filter that uses a urea solution to reduce emissions. A more powerful diesel will also arrive later.
The A200 is equipped as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. The A250 and 180d both receive a standard-fit seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Although Mercedes has developed a new nine-speed dual-clutch gearbox for transverse-engine applications, it is not expected to be used for the A-Class until the latter half of this year.
A newly developed 4Matic four-wheel drive system will also be offered. Now featuring electro-mechanical operation instead of the electro-hydraulic set-up used on the outgoing version of the A-Class, it provides a fully variable apportioning of drive between the front and rear axles for improved traction.
In a further departure from its predecessor, the new A-Class will also be sold with the choice of two suspension systems, depending on the model.
All feature a MacPherson- strut front end, but Mercedes has decided to provide certain models, including the A200 and A180d, with a new torsion-beam rear end in a move similar to that undertaken by Volkswagen with the Golf.
The more powerful models, including the A250 as well as those running the optional 4Matic four-wheel drive system, are fitted with a modified version of the old A-Class’s multi-link rear end.
The standard suspension on all models is tuned for a so-called comfort set-up.
It is mounted 15mm lower than before and comes with Mercedes’ Dynamic Select system, which allows the driver to alter the characteristics of the throttle, gearbox and steering. Buyers can also opt for active damping control. This offers the choice of both comfort and sport settings via the Dynamic Select system.
Where it all began for the A-Class
The A-Class started as the Vision A 93 study, revealed at the Frankfurt motor show in 1993. The front-wheel-drive concept became the precursor to Mercedes’ entry into the compact model segment four years later.
The arrival of the A-Class brought criticism: a journalist’s manoeuvring test of the car found safety issues. Mercedes responded by giving the car a revised suspension system and electronic stability control as standard.
The outgoing, third-gen A-Class, launched in 2012, is now the largest-selling Mercedes model in the UK. In 2017, it sold 43,717 units, also making the UK the biggest global market for the model. (Vision A 93 led to the 1997 A-Class)
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Join the debate
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.
BertoniBertone
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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