With more than 500,000 units produced within three and a half years, the A-Class is among the best sellers in the Mercedes-Benz passenger car range. Now the latest version of this small car is showing itself to be more youthful, attractive and environmentally compatible than ever before. This is ensured by a completely revised design, high-grade appointments and new technical developments which further improve safety, comfort and economy. The release of this further enhanced version of the A-Class sees the inclusion of the A 180 CDI in the Australian model line-up, the first time the A-Class has been locally offered with turbo-diesel power.

Since its world premiere in 1997, the A-Class has made a name for itself as a trendsetter and innovative leader in its class. Outstanding safety, great day-to-day flexibility and reliability have always been among the strengths of the A-Class, which has so far captured the enthusiasm of about 1.7 million customers with its distinctive and versatile vehicle concept.

Now Mercedes-Benz is presenting the innovative A-Class in completely upgraded versions. Viewed from the front, this small Mercedes-Benz appears more youthful and self-confident than before. The sweeping lines of the newly designed headlamps harmoniously combine the front end and flanks, which literally appear to be cast from a single mould. The redesigned front bumper reinforces this impression; its lower air intake is now much larger, emphasising the width of the body. The radiator grille is also in a new design which underlines the progressive aura of the A-Class.

Lines: ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE with an even more pronounced styling emphasis

Design features at the front end provide more distinctions between the design and equipment lines of the A-Class. While the louvres in the radiator grille of the basic version are painted in dark-grey, they are respectively in metallic atlas grey and high-sheen iridium silver in the ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE lines, and are also visually upgraded by additional chrome strips. Discreet chrome trim strips further reinforce this impression. In the AVANTGARDE line, the front bumper also has a distinctive design which emphasises the arrow-shape of the front end and suggests greater agility.

When viewed from the side the different lines in the A-Class are distinguished by wheel designs. While the basic model is equipped with 16-inch wheels and seven-spoke wheel embellishers as standard, ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE are fitted with individually designed 16- and 17-inch light-alloy wheels respectively.

The new, larger exterior mirror housings and door handles are now painted in the vehicle colour for all model variants. The previous side rubbing strips have been replaced by discreet chrome trim strips, which provide additional visual highlights in the ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE models.

The rear end of the A-Class is dominated by a modified bumper and newly designed rear light clusters which extend well into the vehicle flanks. Both these features make the body appear wider and therefore more imposing. In the ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE models the rear bumper is embellished with additional, reflector-look trim strips and chrome inserts. The new, ergonomically improved tailgate handle is chrome-plated in both lines, as is the oval exhaust tailpipe.

Interior: upgraded with larger stowage compartments and new fabrics

Mercedes designers paid particular attention to enhanced value when redesigning the interior, choosing new, high-grade upholstery fabrics and door linings. In the ELEGANCE line the seats are covered in leather and AVANTGARDE lines the seats are upholstered in an attractive combination of ARTICO man-made fake leather and fabric, which is available in three colours. In addition new decorative trim of smoke-grey, diagonally brushed aluminium enhances the interior of the AVANTGARDE line, while the dignified aura of the ELEGANCE models is heightened by wood trim. All variants of the A-Class share a larger stowage compartment in the centre console and a newly designed cup holder between the front seats.

The luxury seat package with seat cushion angle adjustment and lumbar support, seat height adjustment for the driver’s seat, a front armrest and a parcel net in the front passenger footwell is standard equipment for ELEGANCE models.

Ecology: the A-Class is the first compact car with an environmental certificate

Practical trials such as this are of immense importance to Mercedes-Benz when it comes to evaluating new technologies.

The environmental compatibility of vehicles is not only assessed on the basis of standardised emissions and fuel consumption measurement, but also taking into account the entire vehicle lifecycle – from production and many years of operation to eventual recycling and disposal. An analysis of more than 40,000 individual processes provides an overall picture and enables the development work to be objectively assessed.

This form of environmental audit is the basis of the environmental certificate according to the stringent international ISO standard 14062 (Design For Environment). This certificate also applies to the new-generation A-Class, confirming the considerable advances made in the field of environmental protection. An analysis over a vehicle mileage of 150,000 kilometres shows that CO2 emissions are around seven per cent below the figure for the preceding model (W168) of 2004, for example. Nitrogen oxide emissions have been reduced by no less than 13 per cent.

Aspects other than favourable fuel consumption and low exhaust emissions are also important for the environmental certificate. For example the recycling concept of a vehicle: the A-Class already meets the EU regulation coming into force from 2015, which prescribes a recycling rate of 95 per cent. Plastic components with a total weight of 30.8 kilogrammes can be produced from high-grade recyclates – twice the figure achieved for the preceding model.

The A-Class also demonstrates its environmentally compatible concept by the use of renewable raw materials. Mercedes-Benz has various components of the compact car produced with the use of flax, olive stones, cotton, coconut fibre, wood veneers and abaca fibres. The weight of these components has increased by one third versus the preceding model.

A-plus turbo-diesel power and efficiency: the A 180 CDI

For the first time in Australia, Mercedes-Benz is offering customers the option of turbo-diesel power in the stylish and efficient A-Class.

The A 180 CDI is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 80 kW of power and 250 Nm of torque. Paired with the standard fitment six-speed manual transmission, it is both lively and economical.

Not only does the five-door complete the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.8 seconds it consumes a mere 5.2-litres of diesel every 100 km (according to ADR 81/02).

The A 180 CDI comes equipped with the standard equipment line, and has a variety of safety and comfort features fitted as standard equipment. Like all models in the A-Class range, the A 180 CDI come equipped with Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BAS), Acceleration Skid Control (ASR), eight full-size airbags, and a full-sized spare wheel as standard equipment. Standard fitment comfort-oriented features include THERMATIC climate control, multi-function steering wheel and display, AUDIO 20 sound system, and a split-fold rear bench seat.

Safety: flashing brake lights warn following traffic

The adaptive brake light introduces technology from the luxury class into the compact segment, which therefore benefits from a further accident prevention system as a standard feature. Under emergency braking from a speed exceeding 50 km/h, the brake lights flash rapidly to warn following traffic, enabling drivers to respond quicker and an endeavour to prevent a collision.

Flashing brake lights are the result of extensive practical research covering the braking behaviour of drivers. Mercedes engineers found that the braking responses of drivers are on average 0.2 seconds faster in emergency braking situations if a flashing red warning is given in place of conventional brake lights.

The stopping distance can be reduced by around 4.40 metres from a speed of 80 km/h, and even by around 5.50 metres from a speed of 100 km/h. If the A-Class is brought to a rapid stop from a speed exceeding 70 km/h, the hazard warning system is switched on in addition to the flashing brake lights.

The A-Class sets standards in this market segment where occupant protection is concerned, with two-stage front airbags, belt tensioners in the front and for the outer rear seats, belt force limiters, active front head restraints and head/thorax sidebags.

Mercedes-Benz has now added to this extensive safety technology with crash-responsive emergency lighting for the interior. This is switched on automatically following an accident of a defined severity, providing the occupants with better orientation and facilitating the work of the emergency services.

Active parking assist: ultrasound and electric steering for easier parking

When finding and reversing into a parking space, drivers of the A-Class will in future be aided by an active parking assist feature which is available as an option for all model variants but standard fitment in the A 200 and A 200 Turbo. Using side-mounted ultrasonic sensors, this system identifies suitable parking spaces on both sides of the road in passing, then informs the driver by means of a display.

The sensors are active up to a speed of 18 km/h, and monitor the area to the left and right of the A-Class. They measure the length and depth of possible parking spaces, indicating that the search is in progress with a "P" in the instrument cluster.

Once a suitable parking space has been found between two cars, an arrow appears in the display to inform the driver on which side of the road the parking space is located. If they engage reverse gear, acknowledges the display message and accelerates, Active parking assist takes over the steering and automatically manoeuvres the car into the parking space.

The driver only needs to accelerate and operate the brakes; the ultrasonic sensors of the PARKTRONIC system assist them in this by keeping them informed about the distance to the vehicle in front of and behind the A-Class.

Active parking assist uses a total of ten ultrasonic sensors in the front and rear bumpers, as well as an electronic control unit which processes the sensor signals and calculates the best possible entry path into the parking space.

This information is fed to the electromechanical power steering, whose electric motor performs the necessary steering movements of its own accord. The parking space only needs to be 1.30 metres longer than the A-Class for this automatic parking procedure to take place – an indication of the great precision of this technology. Thanks to its very compact dimensions, a parking space with a length of just 5.18 metres or so is sufficient; there is currently no other car able to park automatically in such a small space.

Mercedes engineers have also added a new function to a well-proven support system: the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP®) of the A-Class now has an automatic hill-holder function which prevents the car from rolling backwards when the driver changes from the brake pedal to the accelerator when moving off on an uphill gradient.

In these situations ESP® maintains the brake pressure for a short time, so that the driver can move off smoothly.

Audio: new units offer Bluetooth, a colour display and nation-wide navigation

Like all the new 2008 Mercedes models, the A-Class is available with further improved information, communication, navigation and entertainment systems – in other words infotainment.

There is a choice of two head units: Audio 20, and the optional COMAND APS.

From Audio 20 these incorporate a radio with twin tuner, colour display, a Bluetooth interface for mobile phone connectivity, a telephone keypad, a CD-player, automatic volume adjustment and a connection for external audio units in the glove compartment. For models fitted with the Audio 20 sound system with the optional six-disc in-dash CD changer, the media interface is fitted as standard equipment.

Interface: the "iPod" can be operated via the keys on the steering wheel

More scope for mobile musical enjoyment is provided by a newly developed, interactive media interface, which is able to connect an MP3-player, USB stick or other external audio unit with the infotainment system of the car.

This means that external audio units can be conveniently operated using the keys on the multifunction steering wheel, while the titles of music tracks are shown in the instrument cluster and on the colour display in the centre console. While the portable audio unit is connected to the car via the media interface, its battery is charged. Connection of an iPod or similar requires a suitable cable which is available from the Mercedes-Benz accessories range.

The award-winning "Logic 7®" surround sound system, which celebrated its world premiere in the luxurious range-leading S-Class, is also available for the A-Class. The system has an output of 450 Watts and features twelve loudspeakers (ten speakers in the three-door A-Class coupé).

Model facelift changes at a glance:

New features in the A-Class

Design

• Front end: redesigned headlamps, radiator grille and bumper
• Side aspect: redesigned exterior mirrors and wheels
• Rear end: redesigned tail lights and bumper
• Interior: new upholstery fabrics

Equipment

• AVANTGARDE with new decorative trim
• Exterior mirror housings and door handles painted in vehicle colour
• Electronic Stability Programme (ESP®) with automatic start-off assist
• Ambient and warning lights in the tailgate

Safety

• Adaptive, flashing brake lights
• Crash-responsive emergency lighting as standard in the interior

Technology

• Active parking assist as an optional extra
• New infotainment units with many additional functions
• Surround-sound system optionally available
• COMAND APS with HDD navigation and voice control
• Interactive media interface for external audio units optionally available

At a glance:

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class range

* Market introduction August 1998
** September 2008 year-to-date