Press Release
Model range and specification
A one-of-a-kind concept offering outstanding benefits
- Progressive one-box design and sandwich concept evolve further
- New product concept with fresh-faced 3-door and versatile 5-door versions
- High-class standard specifications and premium-class high-tech extras
Doing it your own way, leading an active lifestyle, exploring new ideas: the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is quite capable of matching up to the individuality, sophistication and supreme self-assurance that characterises modern-day society. A car that mirrors people's attitudes to life; a car that stands out from the crowd; a car whose matchless concept makes it one of the most exciting new developments of recent years.
The A-Class has been showing the way ahead since 1997. Its sense of self-assurance and effortless supremacy set the Mercedes-Benz model apart from other compact cars, elevating it to the status of role model for a new and youthful generation of cars which take a range of qualities and blend them into an irresistible cocktail: innovation and emotion meets intelligence and charm. Armed with these credentials, the A-Class has so far won the hearts of some 1.1 million customers worldwide, over 80 percent of whom were buying their first ever Mercedes. The A-Class: the conqueror.
The second edition of the A-Class is now in the starting blocks. A single glance is enough to confirm that the new model has inherited all of the genes which made its predecessor such a unique breed: the one-box design, with its ultra-short nose and sleek roof lines, continues to be the visual hallmark of the A-Class. The alterations that have been made to this styling are no less striking, however; they underline the powerful, dynamic essence of the car, so that it cuts a new and more mature profile.
A look under the surface of the new A-Class provides further evidence that great ideas are enduring: the intelligent sandwich concept, which successfully solves the dilemma of how to combine compact dimensions with standards of occupant safety that are befitting of a Mercedes as well as making exemplary use of the available space, continues to the one of the compact Mercedes model's trademark virtues that singles it out so distinctly from its rivals.
To put it in a nutshell: the A-Class is, and always will be, different ??????????????????????????????????????? unconventional, pioneering, one-of-a-kind.
Radiating fresh, youthful appeal: the new A-Class in three-door guise
The fact that the compact car from Mercedes can also cut a sprightly and dashing figure is demonstrated with aplomb by the new three-door variant with its coup??????????????????-style silhouette. It offers all of the outstanding safety and comfort attributes boasted by the A-Class, whilst supplementing them with a generous portion of youthful spontaneity and vitality. It has a magnetic charm which makes it instantly appealing. The balanced blend of emotion and sportiness on the one hand and aesthetic beauty and high-tech on the other, lends emphasis to two of the traits of its inimitable character: its tremendous fun factor and its status as the Mercedes-Benz of the compact class.
This enables the new three-door version of the A-Class to cater to the desires of the young and the young-at-heart, who are keen to use their car to pursue their active and varied lifestyle, yet are unwilling to make any compromises in terms of safety, comfort or high-class appeal. Radiating such youthful and fresh appeal, the three-door A-Class is poised to establish itself from late 2004 as the junior model in the Mercedes-Benz passenger car portfolio which will be offering customers a route into the world of Mercedes-Benz that is as appealing as it is inexpensive.
The trendsetting A-Class: technological debuts for added safety and comfort
Safety
The new parabolic
rear axle, disc brakes all round and the latest generation
ESP???????????????????? all help to make motoring safer than ever before;
the redeveloped sandwich concept, adaptive front airbags, head/thorax
side airbags and other systems adopted from the executive Mercedes
models ensure that occupants are now afforded even greater protection
in an accident.
Protection of????????????????????????????????????????the
environment????????????????????
All of the engines
fitted in the new A-Class comply with the strict EU4 emissions limits.
CDI models can also be ordered with an optional particulate filter
system. Furthermore, fuel consumption has been cut by as much
as ten per cent, despite the increase in engine power. Many components
are manufactured using renewable raw materials and high-grade regrinds.
Spaciousness
The new A-Class outclasses
its predecessor and competitors alike as far as all interior dimensions
which have a bearing on comfort are concerned. Rear passengers in particular
can look forward to a new feeling of comfort and space. The seats
have been redeveloped, and the standard equipment list extended to include
air conditioning and a multifunction steering wheel.
Driving dynamism
Compared to the outgoing
model, the maximum output of the new range of engines has been
upped by as much as 38 per cent, accompanied by a leap in peak torque
of up to 46 per cent. The new chassis, including electromechanical
power steering and a selective damping system, injects added
dynamism into the car's handling, resulting in sheer driving pleasure
combined with the greatest possible ride comfort.
Versatility
The boot capacity
outstrips the figures for the previous A-Class by as much as 15 per cent. In just a few easy steps, the brand
new rear seats can be folded forwards in one of a
number of different ways, as the particular transportation task dictates.
Together with the height-adjustable luggage compartment floor this
produces a flat load area.
Looks and feel????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Surface materials,
trim parts, switches and controls all fit in with both the premium billing
of the new A-Class and with the TAF
(Touch-and-Feel) formula that
Mercedes has applied to optimise the car's tactile and ergonomic qualities.
Variety equals individuality: seven engines, two body styles, thee model lines
Seven by two by three ??????????????????????????????????????? that is the magic formula for maximising the individuality offered by the new A-Class. The line-up of seven engines can be combined with any of the two body styles and three equipment lines. This produces a grand total of 42 different model versions, which are equipped with either the five-speed or the six-speed manual transmission, depending on the engine. The continuously variable automatic transmission, AUTOTRONIC, can be ordered as an option for all models.
All models are able to boast a comprehensive, high-grade standard specification. Even the entry-level CLASSIC model comes as standard with an array of key safety and comfort features which are by no means taken for granted in this vehicle segment: adaptive front airbags, head/thorax side airbags, adaptive belt force limiters, multifunction steering wheel, speed-sensitive power steering, selective damping system and air conditioning, to name but a few items on the standard equipment list:
Six-speed manual
transmission
(A 150, A 170, A 200, A160 CDI)
(A 180 CDI, A 200 CDI, A 200 TURBO)
The ELEGANCE equipment line stands out by virtue of its additional design touches and comfort-enhancing features. Below is a list of some of its extra equipment features compared to the CLASSIC model:
AVANTGARDE models lend extra emphasis to their sporty, progressive character with equipment features such as 16-inch tyres and projector-beam headlamps. Its additional standard equipment compared to the CLASSIC line includes the following:
aluminium finish on centre console, transmission tunnel trim and door
trim panels
High-tech specification to order: everything from AUTOTRONIC to windowbags
The new A-Class also distinguishes itself from other compact models with the many extra equipment features which are available to order as an option. It makes maximum use of the technological superiority of Mercedes-Benz to offer state-of-the-art driver assist systems taken directly from the brand's premium models. Here are some examples:
