Source: Mercedes Benz - Press release and German video (with subtitles) after the jump.
Press Release:
Less than €24,000: the new A-Class lands in dealerships in September 2012 - In the starting blocks: the sporty compact model from Mercedes
With the new A-Class, Mercedes-Benz is opening up a new chapter in the compact segment: markedly emotive in design, with powerful engines ranging from 80 kW (109 hp) to 155 kW (211 hp), extremely efficient with emissions from just 98 g of CO2/km and a best-in-class drag coefficient of 0.27. At the same time the new model underlines that for Mercedes-Benz, safety is not a question of price – the standard specification includes, amongst other things, the radar-based COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST system. Prices start at €23,978.50 (incl. 19% VAT) for the
A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY. The new A-Class is available to order with immediate effect.
"The new A-Class is the heartbeat of a new
generation at Mercedes-Benz", stresses Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Member of
the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Cars responsible for Sales
& Marketing. "We have taken the opportunity to design a completely
new vehicle which sets standards in its segment. I am convinced that the
new A-Class will make a significant contribution to our Mercedes-Benz
2020 growth strategy."
With air conditioning, Audio 5 USB, electric
windows all round, Headlamp Assist and 12-button multifunction steering
wheel, the A-Class is already fully equipped even in its base
configuration. With "Urban", "Style" and "AMG Sport" appointment lines,
three design packages ("Night", "Exclusive" and "AMG Exclusive") as well
as further optional extras, the model can be customised to suit every
individual taste.
Available appointments, many familiar from higher
vehicle classes, include the Intelligent Light System (€1666),
electrically adjustable front seats with memory function (from €398.65)
or dashboard finished in ARTICO man-made leather (part of the Exclusive
package costing from €1249.50). All three appointment lines (from
€297.50) feature front sports seats with integrated head restraints and
contrasting stitching, and can be combined with all engine variants.
Further sporty details designed to appeal to the
vehicle's young target group include designo seat belts in red (€357) or
silver instrument cluster with red dial pointers (part of the Urban and
AMG Sport lines as well as the Exclusive and AMG Exclusive packages).
A wide choice of petrol and diesel engines meets
every power requirement and reaches new heights in terms of efficiency
and environmental compatibility: the A 180 CDI CDI BlueEFFICIENCY
(€26,477.50) will be the very first Mercedes-Benz to emit only 98 g of
CO2 per kilometre. All engines of the new A-Class feature the ECO
start/stop function as standard. The engines can be combined with the
new six-speed manual transmission or optionally with the 7G-DCT dual
clutch automatic transmission (€2165.80), which ideally combines comfort
and sportiness.
In the case of the A 250 Sport, the AMG Sport appointment line is available as
standard. The visual affinity to the Concept A-CLASS is especially
evident with this model – particularly due to the new diamond grille.
The A 250 Sport (€36,860.25) features exclusive 18-inch AMG light-alloy
wheels in a 5-spoke design with 235/40 R 18 tyres all round and painted
in high-gloss black with a high-sheen finish, together with red-painted
brake callipers. These give an indication of the vehicle's particularly
dynamic driving qualities which are characterised, amongst other
features, by a special AMG-developed front axle and a suspension that
has been configured to match.
With its special engine and transmission
configuration, the A 250 Sport also provides a very special driving
experience which is enhanced further by the emotionally appealing sound
of the modified exhaust system.
Here is an overview of the prices:
Model
|
Displacement
|
Transmission
|
Output
|
CO2 emissions***
|
Purchase price
|
Diesel, direct injection
| |||||
A 180 CDI BE*
|
1461 cc
|
6-speed, mechanical
|
80 kW (109 hp)
|
98-105 g/km
|
€26,477.50
|
A 180 CDI BE*
|
1796 cc
|
7G-DCT
|
80 kW (109 hp)
|
109-116 g/km
|
€28,643.30
|
A 200 CDI BE*
|
1796 cc
|
6-speed, mechanical
|
100 kW (136 hp)
|
111-121 g/km
|
€27,786.50
|
Petrol, direct injection
| |||||
A 180 BE*
|
1595 cc
|
6-speed, mechanical
|
90 kW (122 hp)
|
128-135 g/km
|
€23,978.50
|
A 200 BE*
|
1595 cc
|
6-speed, mechanical
|
115 kW (156 hp)
|
129-136 g/km
|
€27,013
|
A 250 BE*
|
1991 cc
|
7G-DCT
|
155 kW (211 hp)
|
143-145 g/km
|
€33,498.50
|
A 250 Sport**
|
1991 cc
|
7G-DCT
|
155 kW (211 hp)
|
148 g/km
|
€36,860.25
|
*BE = BlueEFFICIENCY;
** expected to be available from the fourth quarter of 2012;
all prices incl. 19 percent VAT,
*** combined
** expected to be available from the fourth quarter of 2012;
all prices incl. 19 percent VAT,
*** combined
Highest standard of safety in the compact class
The A-Class is equipped as standard with a
radar-based collision warning system with adaptive Brake Assist which
lowers the risk of rear-end collisions. This COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
system is able to provide a visual and audible warning to alert a
potentially distracted driver and can prepare Brake Assist for the most
precise possible braking response. This is initiated as soon as the
driver operates the brake pedal decisively. The ATTENTION ASSIST
drowsiness detection system also comes as standard.
The PRE-SAFE® preventive occupant protection
system (€392.70) is available for the A-Class for the first time. Core
features of PRE-SAFE® are reversible belt tensioning, the closing of
side windows and sliding sunroof in case of critical lateral dynamics
and adjustment of the fully electric seats to an ideal position for
maximum effectiveness of the restraint systems. The DISTRONIC PLUS
adaptive cruise control system is available as an option (€1023.40).
The A-Class protects its passengers with up to
nine airbags. The standard complement comprises driver and
front-passenger airbag, a kneebag for the driver, large
thorax/pelvisbags incorporated in the seat to protect the chest, stomach
and pelvis area and windowbags. These extend over both rows of seats
and reach as far as the A-pillar triangle. Sidebags for the rear are
optionally available (€446.25).
Comprehensive iPhone® integration
This seamless integration of the iPhone® into the
vehicle, in conjunction with the new revolutionary user interface
design, means that Mercedes-Benz is now able to offer the Facebook
generation its natural home on four wheels in the guise of the new
A-Class. Along with Facebook, Twitter and so on, the "Drive Kit Plus for
the iPhone®" (€690.20; expected to be available as an accessory from
the fourth quarter of 2012 and as an optional extra from the first
quarter of 2013), together with the Daimler app concept, brings further
digital lifestyle services and content into the vehicle. Highlights
include advanced navigation software from Garmin, with internet-based
real-time traffic information, online POI searches and 3D map display.
The Drive Kit Plus for the iPhone® can already be
used with the Audio 20 CD (€416.50). This features a twin tuner and
mp3-capable CD player as well as a Bluetooth® interface with hands-free
function and audio streaming. The colour display measures 14.7 cm
diagonally. Thanks to a new "Cover Art" function, the title images of
the music albums currently being played are shown if their details are
stored in the audio file.
The Becker® MAP PILOT (€856.80) makes a low-cost
3D navigation function, which can also be retrofitted, available for the
Audio 20 CD radio. The navigation system boasts voice-controlled input
of destinations and an intuitive user interface. Its advantages over
aftermarket solutions include integrated operation via the central
controls and the Audio 20 CD display, a concealed location in the glove
compartment and updating via an internet portal.
The multimedia system COMAND Online (from
€3153.50) now provides internet access via a web-enabled mobile phone,
plus various Mercedes-Benz services on the move. These include weather
information and a special destination search via Google, as well as the
option of downloading a route that has been previously configured on a
PC using Google Maps and sent to the car. A new feature is the "News"
app which enables news on politics, finance and technology to be called
up online in the vehicle. Information is displayed in such a way that it
is clearly legible while on the move.
Continuing success: the Mercedes-Benz A-Class
The A-Class has been a bestseller for a number of
generations. Since its market launch in 1997, it has blazed a trail for
a new vehicle class with its unique design, becoming a driving force in
the compact car segment. The second generation alone, which was
launched in 2005, sold more than a million examples worldwide.
In the year of its model change too, the A-Class
continues to enjoy tremendous popularity: in the first quarter of 2012
the model series has experienced significant growth of 17% compared with
the previous year. The A-Class is enjoying particularly high demand
among customers in Europe, with Germany ranking highest, followed by the
UK, Italy and France.
