Mercedes-Benz A-Class - In Depth

Press Release

At a glance

The technical highlights of the new A-Class*

Cornering lights: added safety at road junctions and in tight corners.	Standard in conjunction with bi-xenon headlamps
Adaptive front airbags with two-stage gas generators: front airbags deploy depending on the severity of the accident.	Standard
AUTOTRONIC: the newly developed continuously variable automatic transmission from Mercedes.	Optional
Bi-xenon headlamps: powerful gas-discharge bulbs for dipped and main-beam headlamps improve safety when driving at night.	Optional
COMAND APS: this system combines car radio, DVD-based pan-European navigation and telephone controls into a single unit.	Optional
Common-rail direct injection: the diesel engines come with second-generation CDI technology which offers additional gains in terms of fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and noise levels.	Standard on CDI models
Crash-responsive head restraints: in a collision, these newly developed head restraints offer even greater occupant protection.	Standard for driver and front passenger
Crash boxes: impact elements in the front end of the car allow for cost-effective replacement following a minor collision.	Standard
EASY-ENTRY system: the front seats can be slid forwards with the backrest folded forwards to afford the rear seat passengers more room for getting in and out.	Standard on three-door model
EASY-VARIO: both rear-seat cushion sections are removable, while the luggage compartment floor is height-adjustable.	Optional for three-door model
EASY-VARIO-PLUS: both rear-seat cushion and backrest sections are removable, the backrest of the front passenger seat can be folded fully forwards and the entire front passenger seat can be removed.	Optional for five-door model
Electromechanical speed-sensitive power steering: the power assistance for the steering is adjusted according to road speed.	Standard
ESP®: this system reduces the risk of skidding.	Standard
Headlamp Assist: a sensor on the windscreen monitors ambient light levels to switch the headlamps on automatically as required.	Standard in conjunction with Light & Sight package
Belt force limiters with adaptive function: this mechanism reduces the force exerted by the belt strap on the seat occupant in the event of a crash	Standard for driver and front passenger
Belt status information: a display in the instrument cluster tells the driver whether the rear seat passengers are buckled in.	Standard
Belt tensioners: any slack in the belt strap is reeled in instantly in the event of a collision.	Standard for driver and front passenger and for the outer seats in the rear
Head/thorax side airbags: these special side airbags protect the head and chest region of front seat occupants.	Standard for driver and front passenger
Child seat recognition: a transponder system automatically detects whether a rearwards-facing child seat is fitted, whereupon it deactivates the front passenger airbag.	Optional for special child seats with transponder
Height-adjustable luggage compartment floor: the luggage compartment floor can be set to one of two different heights.	Standard on five-door model
Multifunction steering wheel: car radio, telephone, navigation system and other units can be operated from the steering wheel.	Standard
Panoramic louvred sliding sunroof: the louvres of the sunroof are made from transparent plastic.	Optional
Parabolic rear axle: the newly developed axle boosts handling stability and ride comfort.	Standard
Particulate filter: the system developed by Mercedes-Benz works without the need for additives and reduces the already low particulate emissions by a further 99 per cent.	Optional for CDI models
Tyre-pressure-loss warning device: the technology of the ESP® system is harnessed to detect any sudden loss of pressure in the tyres.	Optional
Rain sensor: wiper speed is smoothly adjusted depending on the intensity of the rainfall.	Standard in conjunction with Light & Sight package
Sandwich concept: this invention from Mercedes improves occupant safety in serious frontal collisions by allowing the engine and transmission to slide downwards and to the rear. This concept also proves advantageous for collisions from the side.	Standard
Six-speed manual transmission: the newly developed transmission boasts a compact aluminium construction and precision gearshifts.	Standard on A 180 CDI, A 200 CDI and A 200 TURBO
Selective damping system: the shock absorber settings are automatically adapted to the current driving situation.	Standard
Sidebags: these airbags inflate at the side to reduce the risk of injury following a side-on collision.	Optional for the rear
Sound system: a new multi-channel system offers all occupants a surround-sound acoustic experience.	Optional
Tunnel mode: pressing the recirculated air switch closes any windows that are open as well as the sliding sunroof when entering a tunnel or underground garage.	Standard
THERMOTRONIC: automatic climate control system equipped with temperature, solar, humidity and pollutant sensors. Separate temperature adjustment for the driver's and front passenger side.	Optional
Windowbags: generously sized airbags which form a curtain extending from the A to the C-pillar in a collision from the side.	Optional
Heater booster system: electrical heater booster system which swiftly warms up the interior following a cold start	Standard on CDI models