AIMS 2012 gallery: Mercedes-Benz A Class

The new Mercedes-Benz A Class was revealed for the first time in Australia at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show. Now a Golf-sized model and clear rival, Mercedes has ensured the A Class will put up a good fight when it is launched in March 2013, after setting some relatively competitive pricing.

Generally speaking, the A Class looks the goods. The more we see of its exterior the more we cool on our original very positive reports. But it’s still miles ahead of the BMW 1 Series (F20). The interior of the A Class is very good and has a high quality feel about it. Maybe it’s let down a little by the iPad-like infotainement screen which looks a bit of an afterthought. But for every person who dislikes it, we imagine there’ll be another who loves it.

In Australia, the A Class will launch with the following four models:

• A 180 BlueEfficiency – $35,600 (MRLP)
• A 200 BlueEfficiency – $40,900 (MRLP)
• A 200 CDI BlueEfficiency – $40,900 (MRLP)
• A 250 Sport – $49,900 (MRLP)

The 155kW A 250 Sport is the standout there, albeit pushing the pricing friendship a little compared to say a $40K Golf GTI.

Further details on the Australian A Class range can be seen below, along with extra pics from the Sydney motor show floor.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Lands in Sydney – Arrives in Dealerships March 2013

With the new A-Class, Mercedes-Benz is opening up a new chapter in the premium compact segment: markedly emotive in design, with powerful engines ranging from 90 kW to 155 kW, extremely efficient with emissions from just 135 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 and reversing camera. Prices start at $35,600 (MRLP) for the A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY with automatic transmission. The new A-Class is available to order now and due to arrive in Australia in March 2013.

“2013 will be one of the most important years in our brands Australian history, it will be the year we expect to both springboard our volume north and further expand our customer reach”, says Horst von Sanden, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars Australia/Pacific. “We will continue to do what we do well and that’s to guide the Australian prestige market in a direction that makes our vehicles and technology accessible to a broader demographic.”

A wide choice of engines meets every power requirement. All engines of the new A-Class feature the ECO start/stop function as standard. The engines also arrive in Australia with the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission with paddle shift as standard.

The A 250 Sport 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.

A-Class model lineup:

Model	Displacement	Output	L/100km combined	CO2 emissions	MRLP**
A 180 BE*	1595 cc	90 kW	5.8	135 g/km	$35,600
A 200 BE*	1595 cc	115 kW	6.1	141 g/km	$40,900
A 200 CDI BE*	1796 cc	100 kW	4.6	121 g/km	$40,900
A 250 Sport**	1991 cc	155 kW	6.6	152 g/km	$49,900

*BE = BlueEFFICIENCY **Note below pricing disclaimer

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 is standard in A-Class vehicles destined for Australia 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 A-Class protects its passengers with 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, sidebags for the rear and windowbags.

All A-Class models sold in Australia will have parking sensors, active parking assist and reversing camera fitted as standard equipment.

Audio equipment

The standard Audio 20 CD system has a twin tuner, mp3-capable CD player and a USB connector in the centre console with direct iPod connectivity. The colour display has a diagonal of 14.7 cm. Thanks to a “cover art” function the title images of the music albums currently being played are shown if their details are stored in the audio file.

A top line in the Audio 20 CD’s menu navigation makes orientation easier and can be operated via the controller. The settings for the air conditioning are also displayed on the telematics screen (when in use), as is the fuel consumption over the past 15 minutes. The Bluetooth functions have also been extended: the mobile’s phone book can now be automatically transferred when connected, and wireless music reproduction is possible from Bluetooth-capable devices. Plus text messages can also be displayed. As an optional extra the standard Audio 20 unit can be combined with a new optional Becker® MAP PILOT® entry-level navigation solution.

The Becker® MAP PILOT® makes a low-cost ($1,190 MRLP) navigation function, which is also suitable for retrofitting, available for the Audio 20 CD radio. Its advantages over aftermarket solutions include integrated operation via the central controls, voice output via the vehicle’s loudspeakers and display on the Audio 20 screen, a concealed location in the glove compartment and updating and expansion options via an internet portal.

The all-new Mercedes-Benz A-Class will be available and on sale in March 2013:

• A 180 BlueEfficiency – $35,600 (MRLP)
  
• A 200 BlueEfficiency – $40,900 (MRLP)
  
• A 200 CDI BlueEfficiency – $40,900 (MRLP)
  
• A 250 Sport – $49,900 (MRLP)

**Manufacturer’s Recommended List Price (MRLP) which excludes on-road costs and dealer delivery. For drive away price information, consumers should contact Mercedes-Benz dealers.