Image Gallery

• Design and technology updated from July 2001

• New materials for higher quality looks and feel in the interior

• ESP® now with the innovative, hydraulic Brake Assist system

• Windowbags available on request

Mercedes-Benz has updated its A-Class model series with redesigned body details, a stylistically and ergonomically enhanced interior and further technical improvements.

The new A-Class, which goes on sale this month, will once again set its stamp on the compact car sector and reaffirm its role as a successful trendsetter in this market segment.

After three and a half years of A-Class production and having sold more than 550,000 units worldwide, Mercedes-Benz has updated the front and rear end design of this model series to accentuate the dynamic and progressive character of this compact car, which is one of the best-selling models in its class in Europe.

First released in Australia in October 1998, the A-Class today maintains a healthy 18.1 percent share of its competitive segment and represents more than 10 percent of Australian Mercedes passenger car sales. On a year-to-date basis sales are up 54 percent over the previous year.

On request Mercedes-Benz will complement the exemplary safety features of this innovative compact car, which has achieved top marks during crash tests carried out by independent testing organisations, with large windowbags for even more effective occupant protection in the event of a lateral collision. A unique item in this vehicle class is the newly developed, optional air conditioning system with an additional air humidity sensor. For the first time the fourth-generation Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) operates in conjunction with an even more efficient hydraulic Brake Assist system. This means that the A-Class now features the latest and currently most effective dynamic safety system.

“We’ve sold over 3,000 A-Class in Australia since its local launch in 1998, so the update provided the perfect opportunity to revise and enhance our model line-up. The styling enhancements in both internal and external appearance, and the decision to offer the Elegance design and equipment package – which gives the car a very up market appeal – will boost the attraction of the A-Class range,” said Matthias Luehrs, Managing Director Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars in Australia.

Design: dynamic appearance by virtue of new design fea-tures

The most eye-catching features of the new front-end design for the A-Class are without doubt the newly developed headlights. Their transparent lenses allow a view of the sophisticated lighting technology and turn the highly polished reflector surfaces into effective stylistic features, lending additional shine to the appearance of this, the most compact Mercedes model.

Side view: rub strips as standard and a new wheel design

Standard rub strips on the doors of the A-Class subdivide the side view of the bodyshell more strikingly than before and reinforce the dynamic, arrow-like lines of the design. Like the new rub strips on the sides, the door handles of the ELEGANCE models are painted in the vehicle colour and are also embellished with a discreet chrome inlay. The modified design of the standard light alloy wheels is also more in keeping with the individual character of each of these lines. CLASSIC models now feature 15-inch alloy wheels as standard equipment.

The rear bumper has received a makeover on the same principles as its front counterpart: integrated rub strips and the subtle lines of the spoiler edges in the lower section of the bumper lend the rear end a wider and therefore more dynamic appearance. The rear lights make a markedly more brilliant and therefore particularly elegant impression.

As a result of the design changes to the front and rear bumpers the body length of the A-Class is increased by 31 mm to a total of 3606 millimetres. The vehicle width and height remain unchanged.

Interior: higher quality looks and feel and improved ergonom-ics

By virtue of a more modern shape and carefully selected materials the centre console is fully in keeping with the new, sophisticated interior design. The upper section is slightly wider than before and extends into the interior at a gentler angle so that the driver and front passenger have an even better view of the controls. The arrangement and design of the switches reflect ergonomic findings from day-to-day practice. Accordingly, the most frequently used keys and the radio now occupy the higher posi-tions in the centre console, while the heating and ventilation controls have been relocated to the lower section.

All the elements in the centre console are integrated into a decorative fascia with a structured metal-effect surface (CLASSIC) or exotic wood veneer (ELEGANCE). The lower section of the centre console forms a single visual unit with the likewise redesigned and carpeted tunnel cladding.

In addition to the redesigned three-spoke steering wheel, which is now adjustable for height as standard, the interior of the A-Class also features restyled interior door panels which have decorative wood trim in the ELEGANCE models.

Safety: latest-generation ESP® and optional windowbags

Another new feature is the latest generation of the Electronic Stability Program. This further development of the ESP® technology has made the use of a hydraulic Brake Assist system possible for the first time. This ensures that the maximum brake pressure is built up under emergency braking, resulting in the shortest possible braking distance.

The newly-developed windowbags, which are available as optional equipment for the A-Class, are another technical innovation in the compact car class. In the event of a lateral collision these more than one metre long and twelve centimetres wide air cushions extend between the front and rear roof pillars like a curtain, providing head protection over a large area from which both the front and rear occupants benefit. In this way the windowbags complement the highly-effective side impact protection in the A-Class, which includes the sandwich concept, robust support members and pillars, as well as sidebags in the front doors as standard.

Comfort: air conditioning with an innovative humidity sensor

Mercedes engineers have perfected the climatic comfort in the A-Class with a newly-developed air conditioning system which is controlled by the air humidity registered by what is known as a dewpoint sensor. The Mercedes A-Class is the first car in this market segment to be equipped with a high-tech system of this kind, which has previously only been installed in the top Mercedes-Benz models.

Other technical innovations, which are designed to provide even more comfort in the A-Class on request, include a rain sensor to control the intermittent wipe feature of the windscreen wipers and an automatically dimming interior mirror.

Repositioned model line-up

At launch, the revised Mercedes-Benz A-Class model line-up includes the new entry level A 160 Classic, which now comes standard with 15-inch alloy wheels and A 190 Elegance. The Elegance design and equipment package is also available on the A 160 model. Mercedes-Benz will release a longer wheelbase model A-Class later in the year.

Model	Trans	Engine	Power	Displace-ment	Rec. Retail Price
A160 Classic	5 speed manual with auto clutch	4 cylinder multi valve petrol engine	75kW	1598cm3	34,900
A190 Ele-gance	5 speed manual with auto clutch	4 cylinder multi valve petrol engine	92kW	1898cm3	40,900

Design and equipment packages:

"Classic"	in A160	std
"Elegance"	in A160	3,000
	in A190	std

New features of the A-Class: The most important facelift measures

Exterior

• Redesigned front and rear bumpers

• Radiator grille with four (previously three) fins

• Integrated rub strips standard for all models

• Light-alloy wheels for CLASSIC

• Headlights with new technology and modern clear glass look

• High-brilliance rear lights in brilliant-look

• Door handles painted in vehicle colour for ELEGANCE models

Interior

• Instrument panel, centre console, interior door panels and steering wheel in a new design

• New materials for a luxurious atmosphere

• Centre console with new and repositioned controls

• Decorative trim of exotic wood (ELEGANCE)

• Colour range with four highlight tones: dark blue, quartz (only for ELEGANCE), chilli red and light slate grey

Technology

• Latest-generation Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) with hydraulic Brake Assist

• Steering wheel adjustable for height as standard

• Air conditioning with innovative dewpoint sensor to measure air humidity, variable-control compressor and more efficient evaporator

• Windowbags available as optional equipment

• Rain sensor for the windscreen wipers available on request

• Automatically dimming interior mirror (optional)

Standard Equipment A-Class

“Classic” Package - A 160

Comfort

• 15" Alloy Wheels - 5 hole special design

• Active Service System (ASSYST - displays distance to next service based on the cars` operating data)

• Air Conditioning with electrostatic dust and pollen filter

• AM/FM radio with single CD and 6 speakers - aerial integrated into roof spoiler

• Central locking system

• Drivers seat height adjustable

• Funshift (5-speed manual sports transmission with automatic clutch)

• Heated rear window with wiper

• Heated side mirrors electrically adjustable

• Integrated first aid kit

• Interior lighting (front & rear)

• Outside temperature gauge

• Power-assisted steering with manually adjustable safety steering column

• Power front windows

• Tachometer

• Tinted safety glass all around with integrated windscreen band filter

Safety

• Anchor points in luggage compartment

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

• Brake Assist (BAS - automatic brake reinforcement in emergency situations can shorten braking distance by up to 45%)

• Child proof locks on rear doors

• Electronic Stability Program (ESP - prevents wheel slippage when accelerating and swerve of vehicle on slippery surfaces by automatic braking of individual wheels)

• Engine immobiliser

• Front and side airbags for driver and front passenger

• Halogen front fog lamps, rear fog lamp

• Seat belt force limiter (front)

• Seat belts with emergency pre-tensioner (front and outer rear seats)

• Seat occupancy sensor (prevents front passenger airbags and emergency pre-tensioner from deploying if seat is unoccupied)

Versatility

Rear bench seat 1/3rd: 2/3rd split, folding, removable, individually adjustable fore and aft. (Max. loading volume 1190 litres).

A 190 (in addition to A160)

• "Elegance" package (see below)

"Elegance" Package (optional on A160)

• 16 inch light-alloy wheels - 10 hole design

• "Elegance" interior and exterior trim

• Colour coordinated radiator grille

• Colour coordinated side mirrors

• Door sill panels with stainless steel inserts

• Leather-bound steering wheel, gear shift lever

• Folding front armrest with storage compartment

• Luggage nets on front seat backs

• Storage compartment below front seats

• Rear Luggage cover

• Remote controlled central locking system

• Power windows (rear)

• Wood trim panels on doors and console