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other cat.:

repair

safety

general

SummaryThe 2nd model from Mercedes, after B-Class, on the modular MFA platform.

Completely new 5-door hatchback, with saloon and small Crossover models to follow.

The A-class (W176) is bigger than the previous A-Class, though lower and more

of a hatchback, and features include a radar based Collision Warning System,

and a wide range of options and accessories.

Production will be in Germany and Hungary.

Mercedes A-Class

factor

volumes

Mercedes A-Class

Structure:With High Strength Steel and Ultra High Strength Steel accounting for 67% of the body structure, the structure also features use of aluminium to absorb and direct impact forces.

At the front the A-class employs straight front chassis legs, but also two additional load paths; an upper load path consisting of aluminium extrusions, and a 3rd load path through aluminium strut members from the aluminium front cross-member into the front sub-frame. From these 2 small sections, that Mercedes have called “skate runners” energy dissipates into the floor structure. The floor itself has 4 straight members and is reinforced at the front and rear of the transmission tunnel to make a closed structure.

The structure is designed to systematically absorb impact forces through a distance of 430mm.

There is a plastic buffer in each front wheel arch that is designed to stop the front wheels being displaced under the doors in a heavy frontal impact, preventing the occupants from being able to exit the vehicle.

The rear floor foot-well features an unusual diagonal member that is designed to prevent the floor structure being torn open in the event of a heavy side impact.

The side impact structure is based around a B pillar reinforcement that is constructed of UHSS in the upper area, with lower grade steel at the base to dissipate the impact force. The B-post also features “vampire teeth” - tiny recesses that function to direct the path of any crack that forms in a heavy side impact to prevent structural failure.

The bonnet and front wings are also aluminium for further weight saving.

Mercedes A-Class

Safety Technology:The A-class features an active bonnet for pedestrian protection with actuators lifting the rear of the bonnet by 65mm, increasing the distance between the bonnet and the engine components, some of which have been relocated to optimize the protective zone.

Dual-stage drivers and passenger SRS airbags feature as standard, and an additional 7 airbags include a driver’s knee airbag, seat/side airbags, and curtain airbags, and optional rear side airbags. As part of the SRS system the steering column yields and deforms by 100mm in the event of occupant pressure on the deploying airbag.

A Class features the Mercedes Pre-Safe occupant protection system, seen on the B-Class, which detects potential collisions, and prepares by pre-tensioning seatbelts, closing windows and sunroof, and adjusting electric seat position to an optimal position for occupant protection. (Not available on A180 entry model).

Collision Prevention Assist is a radar-assisted system to detect potential collisions or obstacles in the road and alert the driver visually and audibly. The system also initiates Adaptive Brake Assist that supports the driver in maximum braking effort. It operates recognising an insufficient gap from the vehicle ahead at speeds between 18mph and 155mph, and to stationary objects at speeds up to 43mph.

Distronic Plus uses the same radar for cruise-control, maintaining the distance from the vehicle in front by braking and accelerating automatically. (Not available on A180, and only available with 7sp DSG automatic transmission).

Intelligent Lighting System comprises of a number of headlamp beam patterns, and will detect light from oncoming vehicles and lower and raise the beam reach automatically.

Mercedes Emergency call system is another feature, (which requires a contract mobile phone connected to the COMAND Online system in the car), that will automatically send an SMS text message with GPS position and vehicle VIN number to the emergency services in the event of an airbag or pre-tensioner deployment.

Technology:For energy efficiency the A-class features componentry such as on-demand fuel pump, and an active radiator shutter in the front grille (A180 BlueEfficiency model).

Active Park Assist with Parktronic system utilises 10 ultrasonic parking sensors to measure and identify a suitable sized parking space, and will autonomously steer the car into that space in a maximum of 5 manoeuvres with the driver operating the accelerator and brake. As another useful function it will steer the car out of the space autonomously in the direction corresponding to the vehicle indicators.

Trim levels :A180: As entry level this is only available in the two solid COB colours, (Red or White). Standard features are the 15” steel wheels. A 6-speaker CD system, a multi-function steering wheel, and black cloth interior complete the cosmetic aspects. Safety features include Attention Assist and Collision Prevention Assist.

SE: The grille is body coloured with chrome inserts, and the waist mouldings are chrome too. 16” alloy 10-spoke wheels complete the exterior look. The interior includes sports seats and a faux-leather/ cloth fabric in black or black & white.

Sport: The sport look is achieved by a silver effect twin vane grille, twin exhaust trim, and 17” alloy wheels. This time the part-faux-leather is contrasted with chequered fabric panels, both available in Black or Grey.

AMG Sport: Clearly recognisable by the AMG body-styling that includes body coloured front lower spoiler, rear lower spoiler, and side sill covers. AMG 18” alloy wheels, and a sports suspension pack that lowers the vehicle by 15mm finish the look, with branded front brake callipers.The interior is faux-leather with red contrast stitching, carbon fibre effect trims, and matching red stitched steering wheel.

“Engineered by AMG”: Again this is recognisable by the AMG body-styling and lowered sports suspension, but has unique 18” spoke alloy wheels, and a diamond pattern grille. This time the front and rear bumpers have red finisher trims, and the brake calipers are red too, with “Mercedes Benz” lettering. Headlamps are Xenon.

Again the interior is finished with carbon fibre effect trim, and with contrasting red-stitching to the faux-leather and microfiber seats. The most noticeable addition is the red seat belts.

Mercedes A-Class

Mercedes A-Class

Options:Night Package: This is an exterior package that includes a chrome and high gloss grille, black door mirror housings and waist mouldings. The rear screen and rear side windows get insulated privacy glass, and the wheels are 18” (style depends on which Night Package on which trim level) with run-flat tyres. Xenon headlamps and LED tail lamps complete the look.

Exclusive Package: This package includes heated front leather sports seats in a choice of 3 colours (Black, Brown, or Grey), with matching door and fascia trim inserts. The steering wheel and gear lever are finished in black leather.For the AMG models the Exclusive Package includes two-tone leather with red-contrast piping on the seams.

There is a panoramic sliding glass sunroof available on all models except the basic A180. This features a wind deflector, and with the Light and Sight Package (option on SE, standard on AMG versions), the sunroof will automatically close if it detects rainfall.

The Light and Sight package itself includes rain sensing windscreen wipers and a larger washer bottle, and courtesy lighting around the doors, interior mirror, foot-wells, headrest etc, with individual reading lamps.

COMAND Online (option on all but base A180) is a hard-drive based navigation package that integrates with an internet enabled device to be used as a web browser, to access apps like Facebook, and other packages like the Mercedes Emergency Call system. With the ‘Drive Kit Plus for the iPhone’ (accessory and option) the iPhone functions will fully integrate into the A-class 14.7cm colour display.

With COMAND comes the Speed Limit Assist which uses a windscreen mounted camera to read circular road speed limit signs and compares this information with GPS map data to display the correct speed limit in the instrument panel.

Mercedes A-Class

Engine line up:The A-Class is launched with a choice of 3 efficient common-rail, variable-geometry turbo-charged diesel engines, with more on-demand and intelligent ancillaries. There are 3 petrol engines too, featuring variable valve timing, stop/start systems, and turbo-charging. The variable valve timing has been included for “scavenging” of exhaust gases, which eliminates turbo lag and has enabled the engine downsizing for this model. Both diesel and petrol engines are all 4-cylinder.

Paint colours:

ACTIONS... Thatcham are considering a research project on this vehicle very soon.

Engine

A180CDi BlueEfficiency Turbo-Diesel 1461cc 109bhp 260Nm

A200CDi BlueEfficiency Turbo-Diesel 1796cc 136bhp 300Nm

A220CDi BlueEfficiency Turbo-Diesel 2143cc 170bhp 350Nm

A180 BlueEfficiency Petrol (turbo charged) 1595cc 122bhp 200Nm

A200 BlueEfficiency Petrol 1595cc 156bhp 250Nm

A250 BlueEfficiency Petrol 1991cc 211bhp 350Nm

The A-class brings a new 6-speed manual transmission, and a 7-speed automatic dual clutch transmission (seen on the B-class too).